Figure 1.--The photo was taken during 1950s on the beach of Marina di Grosseto, about 150 km south of Florence. The children are wearing wool knit swim suits. They were probably knitted by mother. |
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Italians boys have worn a variety of swimwear. This has varied over time with social class being a strong factor. Boys in Italy and other poor countries during the 19th century often swam without any bathing suits. This was especially the case in southen Italy. Older boys might swim in their underwear. Here social class was a major factor. Affluent families were more likely to wear the swim suits that were more commonly worn in richer countries. The social class factor became less important after world War II when Italy began to develop a more [rosperous economy. Swim suits unlike regular clothing were fairly uniform throughout Europe. There were differences with American swimsuits in the 20th century. We note many children wearing wool knit swim suits in the early 20th century. Swim suits early in the century had tops, but this had begun to disappear by the 1930s. These knit suits began to disappear after World War II, but we still see them in the early 1950s. More modern swimsuits were being wornby the end of the decade. The prosperity of post-War Italy had a major impact on fashion and most Italian children were well dressed for the first time which included swim suits.
Italians boys have worn a variety of swimwear. This has varied over time with social class being a strong factor. Boys in Italy and other poor countries during the 19th century often swam without any bathing suits. This was especially the case in southen Italy. Older boys might swim in their underwear. Here social class was a major factor. Affluent families were more likely to wear the swim suits that were more commonly worn in richer countries. The social class factor became less important after world War II when Italy began to develop a more prosperous economy.
Swim suits unlike regular clothing were fairly uniform throughout Europe. There were differences with American swimsuits in the 20th century. We note many children wearing wool knit swim suits in the early 20th century. Swim suits early in the century had tops, but this had begun to disappear by the 1930s. These knit suits began to disappear after World War II, but we still see them in the early 1950s. More modern swimsuits were being wornby the end of the decade. The prosperity of post-War Italy had a major impact on fashion and most Italian children were well dressed for the first time which included swim suits.
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