Swimsuit
Category
Costume
Date
1890 - 1910
Materials
cotton
Measurements
355 mm (Width); 1040 mm (L)
Order this imageCollection
Calke Abbey, Derbyshire
NT 291887
Caption
This swimming costume would have been regarded as revolutionary in comparison to the styles that had come before. Sea bathing had been advocated as an invigorating – even curative – pastime since the early 18th century, but women were limited in how they could swim and bathe by strict moral standards that prevented them from putting too much flesh on display. By the mid-19th century the popularity of the seaside holiday and the improvement in transport links to resorts meant that the design of ladies’ swimwear evolved quickly. Full-length bathing gowns became heavy bloomers and skirts, which were later replaced by one-piece garments such as this. Dark colours, such as navy and black, were used to prevent the fabric from turning sheer in the water. Throughout the 20th century, the evolving style of the swimming costume would mirror the advancement of women’s rights. Women challenged the unjust standards they were expected to adhere to and, in shedding the cumbersome costumes, came to excel at swimming as a sport and not simply a pastime. Helen Antrobus
Summary
A late 19th Century navy blue cotton, lady's swimming costume. Short sleeves and long bloomer-type legs. Three fawn buttons at the front, with belt.
References
Antrobus and Slocombe 2025: Helen Antrobus and Emma Slocombe, 100 Things to Wear: Fashion from the collections of the National Trust, National Trust 2025, p. 134.