I was about ten years old when I witnessed the first major wave of the clothing revolution, which is now reaching its peak. Around 1918, as a corollary to the decisive role of the US in the final stages of World War I, American influence spread widely across France and was reflected in Brazil. Women cut their hair à la garçonne, ankle-length skirts rose to the knees, and sleeves shortened to the shoulders.
This first revolutionary advance was gradually followed by a reaction driven by common sense and modesty. Skirts and sleeves lengthened again. Women’s fashions fluctuated until they reached limits very close to what, in today’s language, could be called the “base years” of 1916-1917.
The clothing revolution then regained lost ground through new acts of daring. These acts of daring were usually followed by reactions and further acts of daring, so that the daring always outweighed the reaction. Thus, over decades, with two or three steps forward and one step back, the two-piece dress was achieved.
In terms of swimwear, the clothing revolution was far less ceremonious. Fashion arrived at the bikini at a pace with few and insignificant hesitations.
Was the bikini the inspiration and precursor to the two-piece swimsuit?
In any case, from the bikini to the two-piece, how far will this go?
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These questions will have occurred to all readers. However, they will displease those among them who call themselves the “moderate” sector. In this matter, they look only at today and refuse to consider tomorrow. They flinch at each new daring trend, adapt quickly, and come to believe that fashion will now stop. Once that adaptation consolidates, a new daring fashion trend emerges, and a new adaptation follows. Once again, they assure themselves that the “evolution” of fashion has come to a halt. And so they have rolled from adaptation to shock, and from shock to adaptation, all the way up to now.
I understand that these “moderates” are indignant about my article. In response, they will laugh, surprised that I am addressing such a frivolous subject. As if modesty – which is seriously at stake in this issue – were itself frivolous.
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Given the news I’ve read in various foreign newspapers, no one can find these reflections unreasonable.
Madrid’s ABC (March 13, 1974) reports that five journalists appeared completely naked before 800,000 viewers on a Swedish television program. It also reports that in Montevideo’s elegant Carrasco neighborhood, two young men were arrested for walking around naked.
According to ABC (March 9, 1974), at the University of South Carolina, 510 students paraded naked across campus. Not to be outdone, the University of North Carolina organized a parade of 895 naked students. In Nocog Dochs, Texas, a similar parade was accompanied by rhythmic dances from neo-African folklore. The University of Georgia went even further, with a parade of 1,500 naked students.
According to the Daily News (March 7, 1974), nudism has entered politics. A nudist demonstration in front of the White House by students from the University of Pennsylvania was planned for April 1 as an “impeachment streaking” event.
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Like a typhoon, this new and supreme audacity is sweeping the world, stripping it of its last remnants of clothing. The question then arises: how far will we go?
It is not surprising that this question irritates those who have been walking with their backs to the abyss for so long.
The abyss? Yes, the abyss, that is, the tragic punishments Our Lady foretold in Fatima in 1917 if the modern world failed to curb its immoral fashions. I quote just two sentences the Virgin spoke to Lucia, Jacinta, and Francisco: “Russia will spread its errors throughout the world… Several nations will be annihilated.”
