Friday Fun Fact: Vintage Swimwear

It's Memorial Weekend! Treadle will be closed Monday so we can get some rest and relaxation, and we hope you can too!

Memorial Day is typically the beginning of summer. Swimming pools open, the weather is heating up, and visiting the beach is looking pretty good, so today let's look at a selection of vintage swimwear!

Before the mid-19th century, people generally swam wearing little more than nature gave them, but in the 1850s, mixed-sex swimming beaches became more common, so bathing dresses were worn.

1850s bathing dresses generally consisted of a knee-length tunic, full trousers gathered to the ankle, stockings, shoes, and a cap.

It would have been difficult to swim athletically in this ensemble, but it worked for splashing around and having fun in the water.

As the 19th century progressed, swimming costumes retained the same basic idea of tunic and loose pants, but became shorter and cut closer to the figure. 

The 1870s example shows quite a difference in the amount of fabric used! Sure, it's still a whole dress AND pants, but it's shorter and slimmer, and has little cap sleeves instead of big full-length poofs.

By the 1890s the shoes and stockings could be ditched and occasionally the skirt was left off, leaving a loose romper style.

It wasn't until the 1920s that the skin-tight leotard style came into fashion for women, and it was another decade before it was universally the norm.

This style often included a faux skirt either just in front or all the way around.

After that, variations on the basic leotard continued into the strapless, two-piece, and eventually the bikini.

Many modern swimsuit styles have moved back toward more modest coverage, often due to concerns about sun protection, but also because it's great to have options!