Miss America Pageant Oks Two-Piece Swimwear

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. - In a break with tradition, Miss America Pageant contestants this year will be allowed to wear a two-piece suit in the swimsuit competition. But there are limits.

Thongs and teenie-weenie bikinis are a no-no. The two-piece suits must have "full or moderate" bottoms, while tops must be "full coverage" with straps at least a half-inch wide.

The suits must be bought off the rack by contestants, who will have to tell where they bought them and certify they wasn't custom-made. They will also wear sandals with heels of 2 inches or less, three years after switching to bare feet from the traditional but uncomfortable high heels.

One-piece suits are still permitted, although all suits must be a solid color.

With last year's telecast drawing the lowest ratings ever, pageant officials insisted yesterday that the changes are not for sex appeal.

"The reason we're doing that is we're trying to stress the importance of coming to compete in the type of clothing you wear at home, that you're not going out to buy a costume to compete in the Miss America program," said Leonard Horn, who heads the Miss America Organization.

"The hope is we'll see something that reflects who they think they are and not someone else's idea."

Ever since it began as a bathing-beauty contest in 1921, the pageant has endured a sort of love-hate relationship with the swimsuit segment. In 1947, all contestants wore two-piece suits, but the competition has never been a contestant favorite.

In 1950, winner Yolanda Betbeze refused to pose in a swimsuit after capturing the crown. That prompted swimsuit maker Catalina to withdraw its sponsorship and start the rival Miss Universe pageant.

Pageant officials have said privately they would like to do away with the competition. But because of its popularity, doing so could kill the TV ratings and jeopardize the entire program.

Two years ago, viewers were asked to call in during the telecast and vote on whether the swimsuit competition should go on as scheduled. They voted to continue it.