Mamma mia! It's arrivederci to bikinis at the Miss Italia beauty contest.

Organisers said the contest was banning bikinis in favour of one piece swimsuits to ''add a sober element'', and to emphasise that  "interior beauty as well as exterior beauty" was important.

Pageant organiser Patrizia Mirigliani said: "With this type of costume we will be returning to the classical beauty of the 1950's, the era of female legends who we still admire and respect even today,'' the Daily Mail reported.

"The costumes will really highlight feminine beauty and for next year's competition I am already thinking of environmentally friendly outfits so the girls will do their bit for the environment."

Organisers have also changed the rules to exclude people with tattoos, body piercings or who have had plastic surgery.

The contest will be held next month.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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