Reviewing How Bathing Suits Have Evolved

It wasn’t until the 1800s that going to the seashore was actually done for entertainment and relaxation. The invention of the railroad really boosted the popularity of going to the beach as well; however, it did entail a small problem, as there were no such things as womens swimsuits. Eventually, the bathing suits that became available looked more like smocks, as it was considered improper for ladies to have tanned skin. As well, the women would sew small weights into the hems of these swimming garments so that they would not float up and reveal their legs.

The next step in the evolution of swimwear swimsuits saw creations that were more like full length gowns, usually made from cambric or muslin. The garments had long sleeves with thin cuffs and were worn over pants or “trowsers,” as they were called then. The ensemble also required a scarf, sandals and even gloves. It wasn’t until sometime later that women were allowed to show a little leg.

Although not greatly different, the mid 19th century brought bathing dresses that still covered most of a woman’s body. These bathing suits were worn over Turkish pants or long bloomers and were made of a heavy flannel fabric. That was a one piece swimsuit that was not only difficult to swim in but they were also a long way from the bikini swimwear or tankinis that we have today.

Wherever the water was shallow near the beach people would change in little houses on wheels, which were drawn out into deeper water by horses and hauled back to the shore when the water play was finished. At some of the larger resorts on the shore, where the most glamorous ladies of the day were, hundreds of these little change carts would be in the water at one time. Their broad wheels gave them the advantage of not getting stuck in the sand. In some areas the idea of wearing a little less, including shorter bloomers and skirts, was starting to be kicked around a little; but the implementation of those ideas would not come into play until the early 1900s, or more accurately 1910.

These little bathing houses allowed the modest woman to spend a day at the beach in complete privacy. After the horse hauled the little cabana into the ocean, the woman would change from her layers of petticoats into one of the layered bathing suits. Not too much later a hood was added to the little cabanas so that the ladies could emerge from the water in their soaking wet swimsuits without being seen.