Vintage Photos Reveal Modesty Ruled the Beach

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These vintage photos from the early 20th century show a very different beach culture than what most people know today. Around 1900, swimmers wore heavy 'bathing dresses' that covered arms and legs, designed for full coverage even in the water. By the 1910s, women's suits were still modest, and men's swimwear typically included full tops and shorts. It wasn't until the 1920s and early 1930s that beach fashion began to shift towards more revealing styles.

Why it matters

These photos provide a fascinating glimpse into how attitudes towards the body in public spaces have changed dramatically over the past century. They highlight the evolution of beach culture and swimwear, reflecting broader societal shifts in modesty and self-expression.

The details

The vintage photos depict people at beaches across the United States and Australia from the early 1900s through the 1930s. In the earliest images, both men and women are shown wearing full-coverage swimwear that concealed most of their skin. Over time, the photos illustrate how beach fashion gradually became more revealing, with women's suits showing more leg and men's trunks becoming shorter.

• Around 1900, swimmers wore heavy 'bathing dresses' that covered arms and legs.
• By the 1910s, women's suits were still modest, and men's swimwear typically included full tops and shorts.
• Into the 1920s and early 1930s, beach fashion began to shift towards more revealing styles.