Let’s head outside to celebrate National Bikini Day! This fashion forward national day is celebrated every year on July 5.
Keep reading to learn some fun facts about the bikini and other early two piece swimsuits, and discover different ways to celebrate the day.
Bikinis are seen on beaches up and down the coasts of the USA and around the world. It is only fitting that this popular swim suit style has its own national day!
National days of the year are a fun way to celebrate odd and unusual foods, animals and items that you come into contact with. Be sure to check out this national day’s guide for more fun days to celebrate.
What is a bikini?
The word bikini is term for a two-piece swimsuit that comes in many different cuts, styles, patterns and colors.
In addition to being the accepted term for the modern two-piece bathing suits so often seen on today’s beaches, the bikini is actually the specific name given to a particular garment that debuted in France in 1946.
The story of the origin of the bikini is very controversial and interesting. To learn more, head on over to the history of the bikini.
This post may contain affiliate links. I earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you if you purchase through an affiliate link.
Fun facts about the bikini
Since this article of clothing is so popular, it is mentioned in song, shown in films and featured in magazines.
You may remember these lyrics from the popular song “Itsy bitsy Teeny Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini:”
It was an itsy bitsy teenie weenie yellow polka-dot bikini
That she wore for the first time today.
An itsy bitsy teenie weenie yellow polka-dot bikini
So in the locker she wanted to stay.
Brush up on your knowledge of bikinis with these fun facts. Some may surprise you!
- In 1960, the song “Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka dot Bikini” written by Paul Vance and Lee Pockriss, was first performed by Brian Hyland. The song was so popular it was translated into different languages, and topped the music charts in several countries.
- One of the most famous bikinis in history is the white bikini featured in the 1962 James Bond film, Dr. No. In 2001, it sold for £41,125 which is the same as $50,846.95.
- 1962 was also the year when the Playboy published its first issue with a swimsuit model on the cover.
- The first ever Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue came out in 1964 and featured a model named Babette March.
- Throughout most of the 1990s, the bikini was the official uniform for women’s beach volleyball.
- The world’s most expensive bikini is designed by Susan Rosen. It costs $30 million and is made of over 150 carats of diamonds.
- In 2014 bikinis were banned from the Miss World competition, and in 2018 they were removed from the Miss America competition.
How to celebrate National Bikini Day
Would you like to celebrate National Bikini Day this year? Try one of these fun ideas.
- Go shopping for a fun new bikini – and remember, Louis Réard’s original bikini showed the navel!
- Celebrate the French history of national bikini day and read a book about other french fashion designers.
- If you are feeling adventurous and really want to celebrate the day’s French heritage, book a ticket to Paris – the original location of the bikini!
- Watch the 1962 James Bond movie Dr. No, which shows one of the most well known bikinis ever – the white bikini of the Bond girl Honey Ryder, portrayed by Ursula Andress.
- Put on a cute bikini you already own, make a cocktail, and head to the pool with friends.
- Listen to the chart topping 1960’s song “Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polkadot Bikini” written by Paul Vance and Lee Pockriss, and first performed by Brian Hyland.
- Take a day trip to the beach with your bikini, a beach towel, a picnic, and a good book and spend the day enjoying the sun.
- Spread the word on social media using the hashtag #NationalBikiniDay. Here is a tweet to get you started:
More national days in July
There are close to 2000 national days in the year and over 150 of them are celebrated in July.
To see them all, have a look at this post to discover more about the national days in July, as well as the July word search printable for some puzzle fun.
Is food your thing? Each day of the month has a food or drink associated with it, too. You’ll find all the July food holidays here.
There’s even July monthly observances that we celebrate all month long!
Pin this post for National Bikini Day for later
Would you like a reminder of this post for National Bikini Day? Just pin this image to one of your trivia boards on Pinterest so that you can easily find it later.
Check out our YouTube video to learn about more July national days.
How will you celebrate National Bikini Day? Is a two-piece swimsuit something that you’ll be wearing to the beach this year?
About the author
Since graduating from The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Jess has been living and working in Los Angeles, CA. She is a freelance writer, specializing in content related to fashion, food and drink and film industry topics. Find out more about Jess here.