Journalist. Mother. Bunny enthusiast. Pop culture junkie.

Journalist. Mother. Bunny enthusiast. Pop culture junkie.

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Swimming in the 20s


I am ridiculously obsessed with the 1920s.

Dorothy. Zelda. Louise.

It was a pretty fabulous decade.

One of the many reasons I love that time period is because of the fashion. It was truly a revolutionary decade for women. Hemlines went up. Corsets went out the door. And fashion started being really fun and eclectic.

Especially when it came to swimsuits.

I don't know about you, but this past summer, I got really tired of seeing this:


It seems like swimsuits these days are just about showing skin. Sure, sometimes on fashion blogs I'll come across a cute bikini, but nothing that makes my jaw drop.

I wish swimsuits were still like they were in the 1920s.

Wouldn't you rather go to the beach and see this?


Okay, swimsuits were basically tank tops with shorts. But they were adorable. It was so easy back then to be creative with this style.


See how much fun these girls are having? I wanna hang out with them! Wait for me!


And since these attractive girls aren't baring it all on the beach, this charming young man is enjoying their company and admiring their personalities. He cares about who they are, not what they are.


Seriously, I want to cry because I don't own this swimsuit. And yes, she's wearing ballet slippers with socks. Like a bad ass.


If a girl in a skimpy bikini was posing in this shot, you probably wouldn't even had noticed that she's feeding the plastic zebra seaweed.


And in the 1920s, you could even wear a costume as a swimsuit! These girls won a swimming tournament dressed as Peter Pan and Robin Hood. (Actually, I have no idea what the fuck is going on here, but work with me).


I really, really want this swimsuit. It's like a lil swimdress. She can keep the bandana though.


Holy shit her umbrella matches her outfit.


HER SHOES MATCH HER SUIT. I can't handle this.


So, yeah. Let's bring back 1920s swimsuits next summer, okay?

I'll be waiting for you with my socks.

41 comments:

Swarnali said...

I love those swimdresses!! They are so cute and creative...and I do agree that swimwear these days have just comedown to extreme skin show :(

ravenlocks said...

LMFAO!! I actually believed you when you said they were dressed as Robin Hood and Peter Pan. I kept trying to figure out who was who...and then I read the next part...LOL!

I always get frustrated with swimwear. For the most part, you can't even swim in a bikini! Well you can, actually. But sometimes the top or bottom will come loose or worse. It's like, they were meant for the sole purpose of sitting there on your motionless body and not actually swimming.

I do love retro inspired bathing suits! And the ones you showed here from the 20s were so cute. ANYONE could wear that!

xoxo

Azu

Imogen said...

This is an amazing post because I didn't actually realise how amazing the swimsuits of the 1920s were. I totally agree with you. They are much more respectful and beautiful. I get genuinely annoyed when I go to the beach and see all the same revealing bikinis especially here in Australia coming up to summer they are everywhere!

Imogen said...

and I agree with the previous comment I hate it how you can't swim in a bikini. I always worry it will fall off.

Josie said...

You're on, Jen. See you at the pool.
xo Josie
www.winksmilestyle.com

Unknown said...

I know it's crazy but I also would love a swiimming dress like that, so stilish and you leave space to imagination, not like the one we used now.
You know I did a similar post on the begining of the Summer.
kisses
city-aholic.blogspot.com.es

Sherin said...

I LOVE THE 20's! It's the era I should have been born in...after the 60's.
I've always preferred the look of more modest swimsuits as opposed to bikini's. I'm on holiday next week and I'm now determined to find something like this. Or at least an umbrella that matches my swimsuit.

cricketfreak said...

I never wear bikinis and I don't understand how people can swim in them! Aren't you worried they'll fall off?

Jillian said...

These are super cute. Although I do prefer a 1950's swimsuit - those are adorable! I'll meet you there in my flower-covered swimcap.

Kivimäen Jenni said...

I want the zebra!! Give it to me!! My precious... :P

I wouldn't mind having 20's style & fashion on me either.

Shannon said...

Totally agree. Plus, I think those types of suits/swim dresses would compliment my "I had a kid and she destroyed my body" body. :)

Unknown said...

I love this. I love how your mind works. Now I have to search for 1920's bathing suit patterns bc we NEED to have one-I will email you if I find anything fab! xox

French Girl in Seattle said...

What fun shots of these 1920s beauties, Jenny! Not only are these swimsuits more flattering than skimpy bikinis on most [real] women's bodies, they also provide excellent protection from the sun. Clever. Veronique (French Girl in Seattle)

Shybiker said...

You're so right -- the suits have such great style. We definitely show re-create them, either individually or in groups, as an exercise in fashion. I'm in!

FASHION TALES said...

The vintage swimsuits were very stylish. I bought a striped styled one last year, just love it, though it was more of a '50s style. They're a lot more playful.

Vix said...

I love those crazy bathing belles of the 1920s! I found a photograph of a lady rocking one at a car boot sale a few years ago and she's on my wall. Girls were gorgeous back then!
I'm afraid I'm the floozy in the string bikini! x

A Very Sweet Blog said...

HAHAHA Jen! I love that era too. The swimsuits you featured are adorable. Yeah, everything is toooo sexy and revealing now. Going to the beach should be about FUN! Hopefully someone will listen and start creating more modest things.
http://www.averysweetblog.com/

Couture Carrie said...

These vintage pics are amazing, darling! I love the 20s, too.
But I must admit, I'm a skimpier-is-better gal when it comes to swimwear ;)

xoxox,
CC

Oh to Be a Muse said...

I like the photo of the zebra. That's a swimsuit I would wear today. And yes, that guy was most certainly admiring their personalities and not their skimpy swim attire.

JustMe said...

I actually really wish swimsuits looked like some of these again.

It's not about hiding your body -- it's about leaving SOMETHING to the imagination. That barely exists today.

Alex Byer said...

Swimsuits of the past > swimsuits of the now.

sherene said...

In my 31 years of existence, i havent experience wearing a swimsuit in public, seriously lol.
Not that i do t own one, but im just a freaking conservative or i dont have the guts to show some skin. Duh lol.

Carol said...

I love the 20s swimsuits too!
so gorgeous.

-Carol
http://declarationofcaptivation.blogspot.com/

Meri said...

I am totally on the bandwagon! I love 1920s style in general and you found the greatest photos! I loved looking at these.

Amber Lucas A Mused Blog said...

Very cute!!

You know there is something wrong with the current swimsuit styles when you DREAD, and HATE the idea of putting one on. I mean, the beach is supposed to be fun, right?! And we should be excited about getting dressed, should we not? How is it then that the whole activity has turned into one of dread for so many women?

I'm with you. These suits are so playful and fun, and I would love to wear several of these!

The Grande Dame said...

Oh. My. God. The 20's is my favourite (and personally least-flattering) decade. These costumes are all my fashion DREAM. I especially like the one on the right in the 5th pic, with her white laces criss-crossing her legs. I do love the fact that they're all healthy, well-built gels too. Stick figures, be gone!

Mary said...

i still can't tell honesty between bakini and underwear.

i agree with you in everything


averyrandomurl.blogspot.com

Cafe Fashionista said...

You are probably going to hate me for this, but I'm kind of obsessed with skimpy bikinis - I just love them! :P

That said, the swimdress in the third to last picture is too adorable!! :)

Tanvi said...

I think the current swim suits look good on great bodies. I kinda like them seeing in spreads and shoots! (sorry!)

∞ © tanvii.com ∞

Rachel @ The Haute Notes said...

I'm really loving these vintage photos. The swimsuits of the 20s were just so fabulous!

Selma @ Crazy Little World Of Mine said...

So true. I kinda liked the swimsuits they wore back in those glory days. ;) Today, you practically have to walk around naked...hahahahaha!

Great one!

Chicago Chic said...

I love pinup style bikinis!

Arielle-HumblePieVintage said...

I LOVE swim dresses! Last year I wore a suit similar to the girl with the zebra picture and everyone kept staring at me. I felt feminine and modest though and classy.

padillasportau said...

Nice pics on swimdress.

Stevie said...

I think the current swim suits look good on great bodies. I kinda like them seeing in spreads and shoots! (sorry!) ∞ © tanvii.com ∞

Jill said...

So true. I kinda liked the swimsuits they wore back in those glory days. ;) Today, you practically have to walk around naked...hahahahaha! Great one!

Unknown said...

I believe that swimsuits should be wear on beach and swimming pools because it is the right clothing. Others won't wear it because they feel shy.

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Diane Marie said...

Love the swimsuits. It reminds me a bit of the days when I use to drive by the beach and just decide to go swimming no matter what I had on. The beach was for fun.

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