Victorian bathing suit

American Family Colonial Period

Making a Historical Swimsuit, 1910 | Angela Clayton's Costumery & Creations

As the swimsuit season approaches (in our Northern climate slower than in other places) Gemma from Retro Chick blog together with Bettylicious has organized a very timely giveaway. My goal this summer is to look like Bettie Page, so I am very much in awe of everything Bettylicious has to offer. The rules of the giveaway are very simple: follow Retro Chick and Bettylicious on social media, write about them and you have a chance to win one of the gorgeous vintage-inspired swimsuits. I have my…

Woman's two piece bathing costume, early 20th century (English). From the collections of the Museum of Fine Arts Boston.

The '90s are back! The 1890s that is. With all the retro-fetishizing that's been going on, it won't be long until we're pushing our nostalgia into the Victorian era. These cool and inspiring pieces are poised to make a comeback, once everyone's completely moved on from platform boots and bedazzled jorts.

Swimsuit 1895

Smithsonian | This, dear readers, is a bathing suit. While being very mindful, very demure, 19th century women were also probably very sweaty. This... | Instagram

The '90s are back! The 1890s that is. With all the retro-fetishizing that's been going on, it won't be long until we're pushing our nostalgia into the Victorian era. These cool and inspiring pieces are poised to make a comeback, once everyone's completely moved on from platform boots and bedazzled jorts.

In the early Victorian era women had worn serge or dark flannel bathing dresses, but by the 1860s two piece belted costumes replaced the earlier styles. The swimwear bodice top was jacket like and the swimsuit bottom part three quarter trousers which had been rejected only a decade earlier when Amelia Bloomer urged women to adopt them. The later Victorian swimsuit outfit was still cumbersome, but was more practical and more attractive than earlier bathing clothes. These vintage pictures…

The Edwardian years saw a gradual change in attitudes, thanks in part to the French women in post first world war Deauville and Biarritz , and to the growing influence of the USA in women’s liberation. Liberation of her knees that is - the pursuit of equal rights is still on the agenda in 2013 .

Think it’s hot at the beach these days? Imagine wearing wool, which is what the first garments we’d recognize as swimsuits were made of. B...

Pictures from the Victorian era, showing fashion history of typical female swimwear at the seaside.Victorian bathing suits and Edwardian swimming costumes for ladies.

1880's Ladies' Bathing Suit sewing pattern from the Mantua-Maker. Make with a yoked blouse, attached drawers, and separate skirt.

“Friday treat time inspired by success at Tollcross! #CommonwealthGames Red cotton twill bathing costume, 1904 :-)”

Victorian bathing suit - wool 2 piece