History of Swimwear

Women’s bathing wear: how much has it changed since its modern beginnings in the 18th century? How do these changes reflect our shifting world? From the long, loose woolen sacks of the 1800s, to the many-pieced costumes of the 1900s, to the tiny, tight nylon bikinis of today, what women wear to spend time in the ocean has changed immensely. Ideals, pastimes, and world wars, are just some of the reasons for the reshaping of the trends of bathing wear. Come learn more about the history of bathing, its costumes, and their relationships to society!