The Popularity Behind Bathing Suits
Going to the beach as a form of entertainment really gained popularity after the onset of railroad travel. While the ladies of the day knew that it was improper to have tanned skin, they still needed some type of womens swimsuits. Therefore, the bathing suits that became available resembled smocks and the women actually sewed weights into the hems of the garments so that they would not float up and reveal their skin.
The next step in the evolution of swimwear swimsuits saw creations that were more like full length gowns, usually made from cambric or muslin. The garments had long sleeves with thin cuffs and were worn over pants or “trowsers,” as they were called then. The ensemble also required a scarf, sandals and even gloves. It wasn’t until sometime later that women were allowed to show a little leg.
Although not greatly different, the mid 19th century brought bathing dresses that still covered most of a woman’s body. These bathing suits were worn over Turkish pants or long bloomers and were made of a heavy flannel fabric. That was a one piece swimsuit that was not only difficult to swim in but they were also a long way from the bikini swimwear or tankinis that we have today.
Wherever the water was shallow near the beach people would change in little houses on wheels, which were drawn out into deeper water by horses and hauled back to the shore when the water play was finished. At some of the larger resorts on the shore, where the most glamorous ladies of the day were, hundreds of these little change carts would be in the water at one time. Their broad wheels gave them the advantage of not getting stuck in the sand. In some areas the idea of wearing a little less, including shorter bloomers and skirts, was starting to be kicked around a little; but the implementation of those ideas would not come into play until the early 1900s, or more accurately 1910.
Those little bathing cabanas gave even the most modest of women a chance to spend a day at the beach in privacy. Upon arriving at the beach wearing layers of petticoats and dresses, the horse would haul the cabana out into the ocean where the ladies could then change into their bathing suits. There was a hood added later so that they could emerge from the water wearing their soaking wet swimsuits without being seen. After the ladies peeled off the wet suits, they could then change back into their many layers of petticoats and dresses.