The oldest documented bikinis -- haute , bandeau-style little numbers -- show up in a 1,700 year old Roman mosaic entitled Chamber of the Ten Maidens . Bikinis first appeared in Roman art , depicted on women playing sports . The 19th - century equivalent of a bikini was made out of either heavy wool or cotton . Brian Hyland 's 1966 hit single was ode to ` ` Itsy Bitsy Teeny Little Yellow Polka Dot . ''
Bikinis first appeared in Roman art , depicted on women playing sports . The 19th - century equivalent of a bikini was made out of either heavy wool or cotton . Brian Hyland 's 1966 hit single was ode to ` ` Itsy Bitsy Teeny Little Yellow Polka Dot . ''