Life's a Beach! Sea bathing was starting to be seen as healthy and gaining popularity in the 18th century. Whilst women wore cumbersome long “bathing gowns” that were more made for dipping in the water than actual swimming, men swam in the nude or in drawers. By the mid-19th century, men were required to cover up too and their swimwear evolved into full suits that went to below their knees and elbows. Women’s bathing suits then consisted of bloomers worn with a knee-length dress, and when the bloomers grew shorter, long black stockings were added. From the 1910s, swimwear for men and women gradually became shorter, more fitted and practical as actual swimming as well as a healthy-looking suntan became fashionable. By the 1930s, men’s swimwear was reduced to trunks without an attached top, and two-piece swimsuits for women started to show up. These were still quite modestly cut, and the bikini as we know it today, which was a lot briefer, was introduced in 1946 by Louis Réard. Since then, almost anything has come and gone in swimwear fashion, including monokinis and “budgie smugglers”. This week, our VFG members show us their best in swimwear, beachwear, cover-ups and all you need to make sure your life’s a beach!
1990s swimsuit and mini skirt pattern Burda 2744 1980s beach holiday wadrobe pattern with bikini, skirt, top and harem pants - Simplicity 3687 1950s b0y's swimming trunks pattern Ringier k60206 1950s child's playsuit and jacket pattern Ringier k69381 1970s toddler's playsuit, jumpsuit and bonnet pattern Simplicity 6418
50s Maillot Halter Bathing Suit 50s Rose Marie Reid Swimsuit Romper Retro Flappers Beach Pin Up Bracelet 70s Catalina Beach Jacket Cover Up - Deadstock w/ Tag 80s Hand Painted Beach Dress Cover Up
Vintage 60s Uncut Pattern Playsuit Beach Mini Dress 31 1/2 Vintage 50s Boys Beach Shirt Swim Trunks Pattern 24 Chest Vintage 80s New Wave Beach Scenes Scarf 30" x 31"
1970s Emanuel Ungaro Paris Parallele Bikini Two Piece Swimsuit 8 - S 1970s Pierre Cardin Paris Mod Bikini Two Piece Swimsuit Size 8 / 10 1960s Bathing Suit Black and Gold Silk - Bombshell - Pinup - S 1950s Cotton Bathing Suit Red White and Blue - Small - Pin Up Girl 1950s Navy Blue & White 2 piece Linen Bathing Suit Floral Embroidery
50s NOS Jantzen play/swim/sun suit 50s Rose Marie Reid stretch faille bathing suit 60s skirted swimsuit 50s Rose Marie Reid stretch faille bathing suit 60s Diving Belle by Jantzen swim cap
And, don't forget to take along a stylish straw Beach hat when going to the shore........ 1980s Eric Javits Woven Natural Straw Hat My Vintage Clothes Line on Ruby Lane https://www.rubylane.com/shop/myvintageclothesline
1980s New Wave Swimsuit with High-Cut Leg, Size Small 1980s Jantzen Maillot, Size Medium 1990s Whimsical Triple-Brim Sun Hat, Made in France 1960s Boho Cotton Duck Swim Trunks, Medium 1970s Terry Cloth Zippered Beach Jacket, Medium
1960s two piece swimsuit by Lanz 1960s swimsuit with abstract print 1950s swimsuit by Rose Marie Reid 1970s striped tank swimsuit 1970s Catalina swimsuit or playsuit
1940s Jantzen Swimsuit 1950S To 1960s Mod Hooded Diamond Print Jacket Makes a great cover up! 1960s Jantzen Black Lace Nude Illusion Bathing Suit 1940s Baby Blue Terry Swimsuit 1960s Jantzen Hawaiian Villager Set