Vintage 1930s Beachwear and Swimsuits

Who wore it?

Accessories

A Brief History

The frumpish 1920s bathing suit fashion was replaced by small over skirts and feminine cotton-printed bathing suits, to cover the thighs (but oooo look at them calves... aye aye aye!).

The cut-out midriff vanished and the two piece swimsuit became the standard. Hollywood further boosted the saucy popularity of the now vintage swimsuit with sirens like Dorothy Lamour sploshing about in blockbuster movies.

As the fashion to tan became more popular ladies got to show a bit more back, and the new proper beach over-clothes were more traditional pyjamas and wide legged sailors pants.

What about vintage swimwear for men you may ask? Pants and shirts were the order of the day, although wearing no shirt became the norm later in the 1930s.

This now-vintage swimwear style still has something about it...

An Interesting Fact

The Hayes Code film censors ruined it for everyone by banning bare navels, and just about everything else in movies, until the 1960s.

Best Bit?

The birth of the swimsuit as we know it.

Worst Bit?

Hayes BOOOOOOOOOOO.

Designers

Ruth McCardle, Margit Fellegi of Cole

The 30s boasted a unique style of beachwear, see our favourite picks of vintage swimsuits below, available from various stores online.