Innie or Outie? That is the question....

In the 50's Lucy and Desi slept in twin beds but managed to have "Little Ricky." And in the 60's TV censors just knew that the public couldn’t cope with seeing a grown woman’s belly button; thus, Barbara Eden "I Dream of Jeannie;" had to cover her belly button with putty because in the 60s showing your navel on TV was unheard of. After all, the navel automatically reminds people of sub-navel activities that are best confined to the bedroom with the lights turned off.

Fast forward to Mary Ann on Gilligan's Island who had no problem wearing short shorts and showing off her great legs. but couldn't show her belly button. Which leads to the question in both Jeannie and Mary Ann's case; did they have an an innie or an outie?. Alas, in 1969,Rowan and Martin’s Laugh-In went after the belly laughs by exposing the belly button, and the genie was out of the bottle for good.

So, if modesty’s your bag, you’re probably better off with a 1950's inspired high waisted bikini. The next time you’re on a beach, raise your glass to the 50's! Suit's available at Get Go Retro! After all, a little bit of curiousity goes a long way!

The Grown Up's Bikini

The pink highwaisted bikini by Ujena allows more coverage and control to the stomach and rear. This full coverage bikini will make you look slim, trim and sexy. The lipstick pink twisted Halter Top and Banded Bottoms support your curves in all the right places. Perfect for all body types and extra sexy on fuller figures. Or in a movie.

Samantha ( Kim Cattrall) slipped on a high-waisted black bikini in "Sex and the City: The Movie" in the scene where she walks her dog and stumbles upon her male neighbor taking an outdoor shower.

"I think Kim looked great in her high-waisted bikini; it really flattered
her womanly, curvaceous figure and complemented her chic sense of style," said Franceska Luther, creative director of Myla, whose pearl g-string was worn by Cattrall's Samantha on the TV show.

The high-waisted style heralds back to the full bottoms that graced such beauty icons as Marilyn Monroe, Debbie Reynolds or even Gidget. The retro glamour look is a key fashion influence that is set to be around for a while as it is both flattering and very fashionable," Luther said.

High-waisted suits usually appeal to older women, but Delia's —a trendy haven for tweens, teenagers and 20-somethings—is selling boy shorts (now on sale for $9.99) along with other retro patterned and style retro swimsuits..

Shoshanna Gruss, designer and owner of the Shoshanna clothing line, known for cuts that accommodate curves, said successfully wearing the style depends on your body and personality. "They are great for women who want to conceal their midsection or for someone with a terrific shape who is looking for something a little different from a fashion perspective."

But don't worry if you don't have a celebrity's body head to toe, said Tara Stewart, market editor for More magazine. "The swimsuit style draws your eyes upward to better assets." "Just get the correct measurements of your bust, torso and waist," she added. Then: "Put confidence behind it so you can pull it off."

It always gets back to confidence doesn't it? : )