skirt

Men wore a short skirt tied at the waist or held there by a belt. As time passed, the skirt became pleated or gathered. Important people wore in addition a decorative coloured pendant hanging in front from the waist belt and a shoulder cape or corselet partly covering their…

…were practically bathing costumes with skirts. The 1950s launched the bikini, which provided minimal coverage for women and was followed by the acceptance of even total nudity on some designated beaches.