The Bikiniometer

As conservative and liberal culture ebbs and flows in America over time, so does the general tone of our society. Apart from politics, certain things wax and wane in popularity, such as music, art, humor, and fashion. By studying these elements closely, you can easily see whether or not we are in a liberal or conservative shift of culture. But there is no telltale sign of this quite as significant as what I call the bikiniometer.

The bikiniometer essentially ties swimwear trends to where our culture stands politically. For example, in the fifties, an era largely concerned with nuclear family archetypes, gender roles, and general societal conservatism, bathing suits provided much more coverage. Even Jane Russell, a known American sex symbol, often wore one-pieces with built-in shorts and a high neckline to prevent any cleavage. However, in the late sixties to the early seventies, when hippie culture was first taking off and gaining popularity in America, bathing suits became much more liberal in the amount of skin they exposed. Women could be seen in two-piece bikinis with cheeky bottoms and triangle tops. Such examples serve as proof of the validity of the bikiniometer. 

So where is the bikiniometer pointing now? It seems that it has moved at whiplash-inducing speeds just between last and this upcoming summer. 

Last summer, filled with trending topics such as indie sleaze, the party girl aesthetic, and Charli xcx’s album Brat, seemed to encourage something equivalent to a Y.O.L.O approach to living and clothing, featuring many influencers wearing tiny bikinis with bold designs and colors. The fun-loving nature of these swimsuits captured the cultural liberalism we were experiencing with the encouragement of abandoning traditionalism and finding fun in the raw, reckless zest of life. 

However, from what I've perceived so far, this summer will be the opposite. Recently, I went looking for a new swimsuit in preparation for a summer spent on the beach perfecting my tan lines. In order to explore and weigh my options, I went into every store I could think of, from Urban Outfitters to Hollister, and you know what I found? A nearly complete absence of last year's swim styles. One-pieces with large cutouts and ample cleavage were replaced with full coverage styles. Micro triangle bikini tops were replaced with scoop neck tops, and thong bikini bottoms were replaced with boy shorts. 

This is a reflection of the conservative culture shift we are witnessing in 2025, with the rise in popularity of celebrities that are rooted in traditionalism, such as Nara Smith, as well as fashion trends becoming more and more centered around "classiness." Even companies known for scandalous club clothing, such as Pretty Little Thing, have rebranded to exude a more "old money" vibe of coverage and class.

It must be said that while the bikiniometer is one of the best indicators of our cultural trends, there is no reason you must follow them. If you want to party in the sand with boyshorts, that's awesome. If you want to tan by the pool in a micro bikini, that's wonderful. Swimwear is a fashion choice, and it's important that you make the choice! Just keep the rule of the bikiniometer in mind when passing by the swimwear section. It'll tell you a lot about our cultural standing!  

Strike out, 

Alara Ataman 

Boca Raton

Alara Ataman is a Content Writer for Strike Magazine. An avid fan of fashion, this Pisces can be found scrolling through Depop or elbows deep in a thrift store looking for the perfect piece. If you can’t find her doing this, you may find her browsing numerous cafes in her endless quest for the perfect iced coffee. You can reach her at @leopard_fawn on most social media platforms.