Swimwear through the ages, the late 1930's

Part 3 of our swimwear through the ages post can be found here. Today we will cover the late 1930's swimwear evolution.




1935 - This Jantzen was almost a bra and pants suit but had a thin isthmus of material between top and bottom. Sun bathing had by now become a national craze and women let down suits when no one was looking.



1936 - By this time bare midriff suits like this one were widespread. It is really the Riviera maillot cut in half. Bra was not shaped but it was still to much for Rye, N.Y. and Dover, N.J. where it was banned.

1938 - Lastex suits, very tight with molded bras, were worn everywhere. It was also the era of the clammy, easily torn, all-rubber suit. This was about the last summer men wore any tops.

Tomorrow we will conclude with swimwear styles of the early 1940's.