Authenticating and caring for early twentieth century bathing costume

[Joan Berglund]

Hi, I am a newly registered guest.

My husband is a full time dealer in midcentury collectibles, including clothing, although he specializes in toys. I am a part time midcentury dealer/collector mostly interested in home accessories and clothing.

We recently picked what appears to be an early twentieth century bathing suit. I am not sure what to look for to confirm that it is period and not a later costume.

It is a lightweight dark navy wool with a red and white collar, belt and cuffs that appear to be heavy cotton. The buttons are a plastic.

Unfortunately, the whole thing has a musty smell, so I can't tell much about how the buttons smell until it airs out some. It does have a little powdery white mildew here and there as well.

I would like to give it a wash, but am not sure I should. If I definitely should not wash it, I can take a button off and give it a hot water test, but if it can be washed, I would rather do it all at once. I have it in the sun now. There is a label, but it is completely bleached out. The label appears to be a cotton that was once lined with paper. I am attaching some photos.

 

[The Vintage Merchant]

Welcome, Joan!

do you have any photos of the seams: are they pinked? serged? turned?

 

[Joan Berglund]

Hi Mary
The bloomer seams are a French seam I think. For the skirt, the edges of the fabric actually look finished like a selvage edge somehow. It feels too thin to be a turned seam with two layers of fabric. This edge inside the skirt seam is fraying in some places. I am attaching photos.

 

[Jonathan]

It looks good to me - a late Edwardian bathing suit, c. 1910-1915. Just to be safe, the red is the most likely to dye run, so test it first to make sure it's fast, but it should be fine as this was made for swimming... I would wash it in cool water by hand, not hot water and don't use a machine. washing up liquid is excellent for washing old textiles if you don't have any mild liquid soap but don't use detergent if you can help it. And use a cup of vinegar in the final rinse water - that should remove all traces of musty smell.

 

[Vinclothes]

Jonathan, what is "washing up" liquid? I think we call it something else in the U.S.
Marian

 

[Joan Berglund]

I speak UK English as a second language, I think he meant dish soap. At least I hope so because I am using it. I am on the rinse stage now, it seems fine. I did test for colorfastness first.

 

[fuzzylizzie]

I think this photo is dated 1910 or so.

 

[Joan Berglund]

Now I just need the wool stockings to complete the ensemble. I just can't imaging how this all felt weighed down with salt water.

 

[Jonathan]

I speak UK English as a second language, I think he meant dish soap. At least I hope so because I am using it. I am on the rinse stage now, it seems fine. I did test for colorfastness first.

LOL - I actually call it dish detergent or dish-washing liquid, but I thought that might suggest soap for an automatic dishwasher, which is REALLY harsh.

 

[laurenm]

I love the term 'washing up liquid'...makes the onerous chore sound like something fun to do.