1920s womens gym suit - rarity?

zannew

zannew

Registered Guest
Hi,

I recently purchased what I believe is a 1920s women's gym suit at an estate sale. It was being advertised as a jogging suit. I have searched on-line to find one similar but have only found one at the MET museum. Do you think this is very rare? I wouldn't think anyone would be interested in wearing it, but does it have value for collectors? I know you can't give opinions as to value, but do you suggest I have it appraised or is there another site that I may have overlooked where I can find something similar that may have sold recently?

I could not pull the bloomers all the way up to button at the waist in back because of a bar at the bottom of my dress form's torso.

Thank you!

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This is earlier than the 1920s - it looks c. 1905-1910 to me, and I would call it a 'gymnastic dress' - you see pics of women wearing them while holding Indian clubs and doing calisthenics. I have one from 1903, which I know is 1903 because it has the dates emblazoned in gold felt letters on the sleeves, and its very similar to yours but mine has a little more pouching in the bodice. The bloomers by themselves survive in larger quantities than the entire outfit. It is rare, but not impossibly so - the bloomers are up all the time, but the full suits also show up - I have seen maybe a three or four for sale in the last decade at various sales. I would think it would appeal to a collector of early sportswear, and pricing it in the same area a similar period bathing suit would make sense.
 
Thank you Nicole and Mary Jane for your additional comments and info. I loved looking through the Wellsley News! Yes, the first pic was the one I had found and I wasn't aware of the other. Actually, I found a suit on Etsy that's not too dissimilar - although it's a one piece not a two piece. I don't often find such old items - it's exciting!
 
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