Ancient Egyptian and Greek scriptures have depicted women in water scenes wearing short cotton skirts that were waisted below the bust and held up by two straps that mark the earliest versions of the modern monokini. However, European designer, Rudi Gernreich, holds the title for designing the first monokini in 1964. A cross between a one-piece swimsuit and a two-piece, the design consisted of a bikini bottom with straps that ran over the shoulders. He also is responsible for naming the garment and was recorded in the English language that same year. The term monokini, refers to a bikini bottom held in place by two straps which, at least partially, cover the breasts. His vision to create a garment with minimal construction and detailing to maintain focus on the body itself received mixed reviews during the conservative times. In the face of the critics, the monokini was a highly purchased item for shoppers that summer, selling over $3,000 in the suits. Although not very successful in the US, it was a great hit in Europe by the early 1970's.

After its first season, the monokini grew quickly out of style, nonetheless, the exposing suit began a new era in swimsuit design. Designers soon began experimenting with strategic cutouts and mesh coverage in swimwear design. For the Sports Illustrated cover in 2000, Laetitia Casta was photographed in a vintage 1967 Gernreich monokini, reviving interest in the swimsuit. Today, the monokini is the hottest summer trend in swimsuit since its debut. Popular designs are cut-out one-piece swimsuits with designers using fabric, mesh, chain, and straps to bond the top and bottom sections together, like Dolce & Gabbana's Monokini with Metal Ring & Gold Lurex Piping. Celebrities including Paris Hilton and Eva Longoria Parker, have been photographed in stylish monokini designs, only growing the popularity of this up to the moment trend.

Lindsay Lohan might not be great on a surf board, as demonstrated by photos recently posted by gossip site TMZ, but she sure does look good getting wiped out by a wave. Wearing a black monokini, Lohan gives us a look at what has become one of the hottest swim wear trends.

Why wear a monokini? Aside from providing slightly more coverage than a bikini, having the cutaways on the side creates a slimming effect by making your waist look narrow. The bold shape of the suit also creates visual distraction, hiding problem areas while also helping enhance or create the look of an hourglass figure.

Monokinis are also great choices for active beach going. They're much more secure for swimming or even surfing than many bikinis. So what should you look for in a monokini? First, it's important to understand your own body shape. Monokini's come with a variety of different cut-outs along the torso, and you need to choose the right style for your body shape.

For top-heavy women looking to balance out their silhouette, Volcom offers a suit that really emphasizes the hips. While it wouldn't work on a pear shaped figure, it's perfect for creating balance for bustier gals. For those with a straight torso that want to add some curve, this Dolce & Gabana suit does a great job of emphasizing the waist and enhancing your curves, while this safari suit from O'Neill uses a v-shape to emphasize the bust and shoulders, effectively balancing out figures that are more hip heavy.

Asymmetrical cut-outs are also all the rage, but they won't hide figure flaws in the same way as the center band monokinis. They're also usually not as secure for swimming and better suited to sunning. With that in mind, don't forget to consider the tan-lines that monokinis produce and how they may or may not go with the rest of your summer attire.

Have fun at the beach, and may you have better luck with the waves than Lindsay Lohan!

Nothing says summer like the "b" word. Beach? Bathing suit? No, bikini! It feels modern, but the bikini first hit the scene in the 4th Century AD. Much like a photo from a beach-side volleyball tournament, the mosaic shows active women showing off their curves, while wearing high cut bottoms, and torsolettes, or strapless bandeaus. More modest bathing suits pushed the bikini out of view for centuries, only to bust back on the scene as the swimsuit of choice for women for the past five decades.

Flashback to the Victorian era, when women who ventured to the beach did everything they could to stay covered while entering the surf. Women even used bathing huts or bathing machines which transported them directly to the water, minimizing the time they would be seen in their swim clothes.

Thanks in part to Australian swimmer, Annette Kellerman, a more form-fitting one-piece maillot became acceptable swimwear on the eve of the Roaring '20s. No longer were women's curves washed away by bulky fabrics. The bathing suit went sleeveless and more and more thigh was being shown. In the 1930s, a feminine silhouette brought the hemline of swimwear up high on the thigh. The bathing suits were kept feminine looking, with a skirt bottom. This more modest look is still in vogue.

The modern day bikini we all know and love was invented by Louis Reard in 1946. Two-piece bathing suits hit the beach in the 1940s, thanks to Hollywood starlets. These precursors to the modern-day bikini combined halter tops and bottoms which were higher than the bellybutton.

As the decades progressed, the bikini shrunk. By the 1960s, the "Itsy Bitsy, Teenie Weenie, Yellow Polka Dot Bikini" had arrived. By the mid-1960s, thanks in no small part to Ursula Andress and her white bikini, the bikini was a must for the beach. The 1970s, brought us string bikinis, made popular by Jaclyn Smith on Charlie's Angels, and model Cheryl Tiegs.

Whether you love it or loathe it, the bikini is a popular beach fashion staple. The basic body covering is apparent throughout history. A fourth century mosaic displayed at the Villa Romana del Casale in Sicily features women wearing simple two-piece outfits similar to today's bikinis. However, modern bikinis did not hit the commercial fashion scene until 1946.

Interestingly, two French designers, Jacques Heim and Louis Reard both revealed the risqué swimsuit concept within months of one another. Jacques Heim unveiled his creation, dubbed the Atome, first, but the revealing garment failed to make a splash. Louis Reard's version stole the spotlight thanks to his creativity and marketing shrewdness. Just days before the debut of his creation, the United States military tested an atomic device near the Bikini Atoll in the Pacific Ocean. Louis Reard used the newsworthy event to his advantage and called his two-piece swimsuit the bikini.

The midriff-baring, high cut bikini was so controversial that even professional models refused to don it on the runway. Reard resourcefully recruited an exotic dancer to model the bikini instead. His fashion forward swimsuit was scandalous in the United States, condemned by decency groups and banned on some beaches.

The bikini finally gained broader appeal and approval in France during the late 1950s. Photographs featured Brigitte Bardot wearing a bikini in the French Riviera on many occasions. Bardot also famously wore a bikini in the 1956 French film And God Created Woman.

The pop culture fashion trend gained momentum in America thanks to *Brian Hyland*'s hit song "Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini" and the popular beach themed movies of the 1960s. Hollywood continued to bolster the bikini's appeal with memorable scenes in movies like 1962's Dr. No. In the film, actress Ursula Andress rises from the ocean wearing a white bikini with a wide belt securing a large knife at her waist. Halle Berry recreated the classic scene in the 2002 James Bond movie Die Another Day.

Designers continue to update the bikini with sexier styles and more conservative versions that provide additional coverage. With so many choices, the bikini is a great way to express a unique sense of style.

With the summer months upon us, what better time to look at celebrity bathing suits? Some celebrities opt for the teeny, tiny bikini and others keep it more modest with sporty bikinis. Some celebrities even wear bathing suit cover-ups over their bikinis. Let's take a look at the most popular styles.

The string bikini is probably the most common bathing suit among celebrities. Not everyone can wear one, though. Most string bikinis do not provided enough support for larger-chested women. One of the exceptions was when Fergie hit the beach in a red and black string bikini that had metallic rings at the top of the straps. The triangle top was actually supportive for her. On the other hand, small-chested women usually have no problem with the string bikini and the triangle tops. Celebrities like Kate Hudson, Mischa Barton and Hilary Duff have been seen sporting string bikinis. In fact, Kate Hudson had several string bikinis that she wore when she was in Miami a couple of months ago.

The halter top bikini is another very popular style among celebrities, because it is actually a flattering pick for any size. The straps on the halter top will make your shoulders look smaller and will also balance your upper body with your lower body. Most halter tops are very supportive, so you can be more comfortable if you are going to be doing some actual swimming or playing on the beach. Audrina Patridge from The Hills was seen wearing a bold, turquoise halter top bikini from J Crew. Carmen Electra sported a blue and white halter top bikini while on the beach in Malibu. Lastly, Kate Bosworth was seen wearing a chocolate brown halter top bikini with tortoise shell rings in the middle of the top.

Whatever bathing suit you choose, you need to remember one thing, do not compare yourself with celebrities. Celebrities take care of their bodies because that is their job. Be yourself, be confident and enjoy the summer!