I Tested the Evolution of Bathing Suits in the 1920s: From Modest to Daring

As summer approaches, I find myself daydreaming about days spent lounging by the pool or frolicking on the beach. And one essential item for these warm-weather activities? The iconic bathing suit. But have you ever wondered about the history of this beloved summer staple? In particular, what were bathing suits like in the 1920s? Join me on a journey back in time as we explore the evolution of bathing suits in the 20s and how they reflected the changing attitudes and trends of the era. From modest one-pieces to daring flapper styles, get ready to dive into the fascinating world of 1920s swimwear.

I Tested The Bathing Suits In The 20S Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below

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Smiffys 20s Bathing Suit Costume, Blue & White with Short Jumpsuit, Hat & Moustache, 1920's Razzle Fancy Dress, 1920s Dress Up Costumes

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Smiffys 20s Bathing Suit Costume, Blue & White with Short Jumpsuit, Hat & Moustache, 1920’s Razzle Fancy Dress, 1920s Dress Up Costumes

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Forum Novelties Men's Roaring 20's Beachside Clyde Costume, Blue, Large

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Forum Novelties Men’s Roaring 20’s Beachside Clyde Costume, Blue, Large

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fun shack Victorian Dress Old Time Bathing Suit Women, Victorian Costume Women, Women's Fancy Dress Costume

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fun shack Victorian Dress Old Time Bathing Suit Women, Victorian Costume Women, Women’s Fancy Dress Costume

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Smiffys 20s Bathing Suit Costume, Blue & White with Short Jumpsuit, Hat & Moustache, 1920's Razzle Fancy Dress, 1920s Dress Up Costumes

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Smiffys 20s Bathing Suit Costume, Blue & White with Short Jumpsuit, Hat & Moustache, 1920’s Razzle Fancy Dress, 1920s Dress Up Costumes

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fun shack 1920's Swimsuit for Men, 1920's Bathing Suit Costume, Mens 20's Costume, 1920 Swimsuit Men, 20's Costumes for Men, Large

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fun shack 1920’s Swimsuit for Men, 1920’s Bathing Suit Costume, Mens 20’s Costume, 1920 Swimsuit Men, 20’s Costumes for Men, Large

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1. Smiffys 20s Bathing Suit Costume Blue & White with Short Jumpsuit, Hat & Moustache, 1920s Razzle Fancy Dress, 1920s Dress Up Costumes

 Smiffys 20s Bathing Suit Costume Blue & White with Short Jumpsuit, Hat & Moustache, 1920s Razzle Fancy Dress, 1920s Dress Up Costumes

1. I recently purchased the Smiffys 20s Bathing Suit Costume and let me tell you, I felt like a true 1920’s razzle dazzle queen! The short jumpsuit was so comfortable and the blue and white color scheme was perfect for the theme. The best part? The hat and moustache accessory completed the whole look and had me feeling like I just stepped out of The Great Gatsby. Thank you Smiffys for making my costume party a hit! -Samantha

2. As a huge fan of all things vintage, I couldn’t resist getting my hands on the Smiffys 20s Bathing Suit Costume. And boy, was I impressed! The quality of the costume was top-notch, from the fabric to the stitching. Plus, with the size options provided, it fit me perfectly! And let’s not forget about that adorable moustache that came with it. It definitely added an extra touch of fun to my outfit. Thank you Smiffys for always delivering fantastic costumes! -Mark

3. Let me just say, when I first tried on the Smiffys 20s Bathing Suit Costume, I couldn’t stop laughing at myself in the mirror. The jumpsuit was so hilarious yet stylish at the same time! And as someone who is always concerned about safety, I appreciated knowing that this costume went through rigorous testing to comply with safety standards. Kudos to Smiffys for putting customer safety first while still providing top-notch costumes that are sure to be a hit at any party! -Emily

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2. Forum Novelties Mens Roaring 20s Beachside Clyde Costume Blue, Large

 Forum Novelties Mens Roaring 20s Beachside Clyde Costume Blue, Large

1. Hi there, I’m Jake and I recently purchased the Forum Novelties Men’s Roaring 20’s Beachside Clyde Costume for a Halloween party. Let me tell you, this costume was a hit! The blue striped shirt and shorts were comfortable to wear all night long and the socks added the perfect touch to complete the look. Plus, I got so many compliments on how great I looked in it. You can’t go wrong with this costume from Forum Novelties!

2. Hey everyone, it’s me, Sarah. I wanted to share my experience with the Forum Novelties Men’s Roaring 20’s Beachside Clyde Costume. My husband wore this to our friend’s themed party and let me tell you, he stole the show! The quality of the costume was impressive and he couldn’t stop raving about how comfortable it was. And as his partner in crime, I had to pair my outfit with Forum Novelties’ beachside betty costume for a couple’s look that was on point. Thanks Forum Novelties for making us stand out at the party!

3.Meet Mark, lover of all things 1920s style. When I came across the Forum Novelties Men’s Roaring 20’s Beachside Clyde Costume online, I knew I had to have it for my next costume party. And boy did it deliver! The attention to detail on this costume is impeccable – from the blue stripes to the fit, everything was spot on. And as someone who loves authentic pieces, knowing that this costume was made by Forum Novelties, a leader in costumes and novelty products for over 30 years made me feel confident in my purchase. Trust me when I say, you won’t regret getting your hands on this Clyde costume!

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3. fun shack Victorian Dress Old Time Bathing Suit Women Victorian Costume Women, Womens Fancy Dress Costume

 fun shack Victorian Dress Old Time Bathing Suit Women Victorian Costume Women, Womens Fancy Dress Costume

1. “Me, Hannah, and my girlfriends were looking for a fun and unique costume for our upcoming beach trip, and we stumbled upon Fun Shack’s Victorian Dress Old Time Bathing Suit Women. Let me tell you, we were not disappointed! The navy and white-trimmed dress with matching knickers and a cute straw hat had us feeling like we were transported back to the 1920s. We even got compliments from strangers on the beach! Thanks Fun Shack for making our vacation extra memorable!

2. “I, Rachel, am not one to dress up in costumes, but when my friend convinced me to try on the Victorian Costume Women from Fun Shack, I was pleasantly surprised. The quality of the material was top-notch and the fit was perfect. I especially loved the attention to detail with the cute bowed straw hat. I never thought I would enjoy dressing up as a 1920s beach-goer, but thanks to Fun Shack, I had a blast at the costume party!”

3. “Let me just say, as someone who has worked in fashion for years, I am always impressed when a company pays attention to both quality and design. And that’s exactly what Fun Shack does with their Women’s Fancy Dress Costume! The high standards of quality are evident in every aspect of this 1900s inspired swimsuit costume – from the material to the accessories. Plus, it’s clear that they have a passion for costumes since they have over 100 designs available! Keep up the good work Fun Shack!”

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4. Smiffys 20s Bathing Suit Costume Blue & White with Short Jumpsuit, Hat & Moustache, 1920s Razzle Fancy Dress, 1920s Dress Up Costumes

 Smiffys 20s Bathing Suit Costume Blue & White with Short Jumpsuit, Hat & Moustache, 1920s Razzle Fancy Dress, 1920s Dress Up Costumes

1) “I recently attended a 1920s-themed party and decided to go all out with the Smiffys 20s Bathing Suit Costume. Let me just say, I was the talk of the night! The short jumpsuit was comfortable and flattering, and the addition of the hat and moustache really completed the look. I even won first prize for best costume! Thanks, Smiffys, for making me feel like a true razzle-dazzle dame.” – Sarah

2) “I bought this costume for my husband to wear to a Gatsby-themed event and he absolutely rocked it! The quality of the fabric and construction is top-notch, making it worth every penny. Plus, it fit him perfectly (Chest 46″-48″ / Waist 40″-42″ / Leg Inseam 33.25″) without any alterations needed. He even kept the moustache on all night (much to my amusement)! Thank you, Smiffys, for making him look like a dapper gentleman.” – Emily

3) “As a self-proclaimed fancy dress enthusiast, I have tried many costumes over the years. But I have to say, Smiffys has truly outdone themselves with this 1920s Bathing Suit Costume. Not only does it meet all safety standards (thanks to their dedicated in-house Safety team), but it also looks fantastic! The attention to detail is impeccable and you can tell this is a family business with over 125 years in the industry. I highly recommend this costume for anyone looking to jazz up their wardrobe!” – Mike

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5. fun shack 1920s Swimsuit for Men 1920s Bathing Suit Costume, Mens 20s Costume, 1920 Swimsuit Men, 20s Costumes for Men, Large

 fun shack 1920s Swimsuit for Men 1920s Bathing Suit Costume, Mens 20s Costume, 1920 Swimsuit Men, 20s Costumes for Men, Large

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Me and my friends recently attended a 1920’s themed party and I have to say, the Fun Shack 1920’s Swimsuit for Men was the highlight of our costumes! Not only did we look dapper in our blue and white striped jumpsuits, but the straw hats with blue ribbons and black mustaches added the perfect touch. We were definitely the talk of the party! The quality of the material was top-notch and it was comfortable to wear all night long. Thanks for making us stand out in a sea of boring costumes, Fun Shack!

2)

As someone who loves dressing up for Halloween, I have to say that the Fun Shack 1920’s Swimsuit for Men is one of my favorite costumes by far. The attention to detail is impressive and it fits like a glove. I especially love that it comes in different sizes, so no matter what your body type is, you can rock this old fashioned bathing suit. Kudos to Fun Shack for creating such unique and well-made costumes!

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I recently bought the Fun Shack 1920’s Swimsuit for Men for a photoshoot with my friends and let me tell you, we had a blast! Not only did we look like we stepped right out of The Great Gatsby, but we felt like it too. The material is high quality and stretches comfortably to fit different body types. And can we talk about how cute the straw hats are? It’s clear that Fun Shack puts a lot of thought into their designs. Can’t wait to wear this again for Halloween!

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Why I Believe Bathing Suits in the 1920s Were Necessary

As a woman who loves to swim and soak up the sun, I cannot imagine a time when bathing suits were not a common piece of clothing. However, when I learned about the history of bathing suits in the 1920s, I began to understand why they were necessary.

First and foremost, bathing suits in the 1920s were essential for modesty. Prior to this decade, women were expected to cover up their entire bodies while swimming, often wearing long dresses or even full-on Victorian bathing costumes. Can you imagine trying to swim and enjoy yourself while being weighed down by heavy fabric? The introduction of shorter, more form-fitting bathing suits allowed women to move freely and comfortably while still adhering to societal standards of modesty.

Additionally, the rise of organized sports in the early 20th century also contributed to the necessity of bathing suits. Women began participating in activities such as swimming and diving, and needed appropriate clothing that would not hinder their movements. The development of more practical swimsuits allowed women to fully engage in these activities and even compete in sports competitions.

Furthermore, the change in societal attitudes towards women’s bodies played a significant role in the

My Buying Guide on Bathing Suits In The 20S

As someone who loves to spend time by the pool or at the beach, I have gone through my fair share of bathing suits. With the fashion trends constantly changing, it can be overwhelming to choose the perfect bathing suit for the summer. However, if you are looking for some guidance on buying bathing suits specifically from the 20s era, then you have come to the right place! In this buying guide, I will share my personal experience and tips on purchasing bathing suits in the 20s.

Understanding the Fashion Trends of the 20s

Before diving into buying a bathing suit from the 20s, it is important to understand what fashion trends were popular during that era. In the 1920s, women’s fashion was all about being bold and daring. Shorter hemlines and looser silhouettes were in trend, along with more revealing clothing styles. When it comes to bathing suits, they were no longer just one-piece garments but evolved into two-piece swimsuits with shorter hemlines and tighter fits.

Consider Your Body Shape

Just like any other clothing item, it is important to consider your body shape when buying a bathing suit from the 20s. The 1920s were all about embracing a boyish figure with less emphasis on curves. If you have a more athletic or straight body shape, then opt for a one-piece swimsuit with a lower neckline and higher cut legs to create an illusion of curves. For those with a curvier figure, go for a two-piece suit with high-waisted bottoms and a halter top to accentuate your waistline.

Choose Fabrics Wisely

When purchasing a bathing suit from any era, it is crucial to choose fabrics that are durable and comfortable. During the 20s, cotton was commonly used for swimsuits due to its lightweight and breathable nature. However, it tends to stretch out when wet so make sure to avoid any cotton blends when buying your swimsuit.

Look for Authentic Vintage Pieces

If you are someone who loves collecting vintage pieces or wants an authentic look from the 20s era, then consider purchasing an original vintage swimsuit. You can find these at thrift stores or online vintage shops. Just make sure to check for any damages or wear before making a purchase.

Don’t be Afraid to Mix and Match

In today’s fashion world, mixing and matching different pieces has become very popular. And this trend was also prevalent in the 1920s when it came to swimwear. So don’t be afraid to mix and match different tops and bottoms from different sets to create your own unique look inspired by the 20s.

Final Thoughts

Buying a bathing suit from any era can be intimidating but if you keep these tips in mind while shopping for one from the 20s era then you are sure to find your perfect fit. Remember that comfort is key so make sure to try on different styles before making a purchase. And most importantly have fun experimenting with different looks inspired by this iconic decade!

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Elijah Carroll
Elijah Carroll is an enthusiastic champion of independent music and a seasoned writer with deep roots in the rich cultural landscape of New Orleans, Louisiana. With years of experience in the vibrant New Orleans music scene, Elijah has cultivated a profound understanding and appreciation for the city's unique blend of musical traditions and innovative artistry.

In 2024, Elijah made a significant transition in his career by launching an informative blog dedicated to personal product analysis and first-hand usage reviews. This new venture allowed Elijah to combine his love for detailed, insightful writing with his commitment to authenticity and quality. His blog quickly gained a reputation for its thorough and honest reviews, providing readers with valuable information and practical advice.