The Swimsuit Issue

A few weeks ago, Sports Illustrated published their annual swimsuit issue. Displaying sexy fashion models in skimpy bathing suits in the frigid month of February has been a tradition at the magazine since 1964.

Although Lois Flagston is the quintessential suburban mom, she is also an attractive woman. Artist Eric Reaves drew Lois sporting contemporary beachwear in the recent Sunday page panel shown above. This was not the first time she appeared in a bikini.

Hi and Lois daily strip, June 18, 1968.

The two-piece bathing suit can be traced back to Roman times. In 1946, French fashion designer Louis Reard introduced the first modern bikini. In the late 1950s, actress Brigitte Bardot was photographed on the French Riviera wearing a bikini and American actresses Rita Hayworth and Marilyn Monroe followed suit. Most American women considered the bikini too risqué until the pop song, “Itsi Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini” hit the charts in the summer of 1960. By the end of the decade the bikini was accepted attire on beaches around the world.

Hi and Lois daily strip, August 12, 1968.

As these examples demonstrate, the Hi and Lois writers had fun making their own humorous fashion statements in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

Hi and Lois daily strip, March 1, 1972.

Apparently, Dik Browne also enjoyed his work drawing pretty girls in skimpy suits.

– Brian Walker