Figure 1.--This unidentified American tin-tyoe shows a group of mostly teenagers in beachwear. We are not sure what the 'H' means. At least some are obviously siblings because they kook so much like. The boys weare sleevless toops and knee-length pants. The girls wear long sleve dresses with long stockings. We are not sure about the barefoot younger child, but we would guess probably a girl. The portrait is undated. The frame pribnly dates to the 1860s, but the portrait may date to the 70s or even the 80s.

We do not know about American bathing suits in the early-19th century. We are not entirely sure they existed. We suspect that boys swiming in rivers and lakes did so with anhy suits. We believe girls were less likely to go swimming. We only begin to learn about bathing suits in any detail with the developmentt of photography (mid-19th century). Coincidentally this was about the same time that Americans began taking an interest in seaside resorts. The railrioad sytem also develooing at about the same time. The photographic record provides a detailed record of the ebolution of bathing suits. We have no information on American bathing suits in the early-19th century. We suspect that most boys didn't wear suits when they went swiming in the proverbial 'ol swimming hole'. We are less sure about girls. We suspect that they were less likely to go swimming. Seaside resorts will still not well developed in the mid-19th century. This changed drmaically in the late 19th cetury. The wealth created by indistrialization made vacations posible and the railroads provided the mobility to easily reach the seaside. And photography has left us countless images of bathing suits. By the late-19th century we see men and boys wearing coordinate shirt and knee-length pants, mostly done in wool. Bold stripes were very popular for these suits. We are not sure about the colors. Women and girls wore what looked like knee-lengrth dresses, commonly with dark long stockings. They were less likely to be striped, but we commonly notice strips at the skirt hem. Men might have short sleeves or even sleveless tops, but women usually had long sleeves. The boys outfits were somethingbyou could swim in, but it is kind of hard to see how the girls were able to swim, especially with long stockings. Bathing caps were almost universal at the beachfor the girls, but usually not worn in studio portraits.

Early-19th Century

We do not know about American bathing suits in the early-19th century. We are not entirely sure they existed. We suspect that boys swiming in rivers and lakes did so with anhy suits. We believe girls were less likely to go swimming. We have no information on American bathing suits in the early-19th century. We suspect that most boys didn't wear suits when they went swiming in the proverbial 'ol swimming hole'. We are less sure about girls. We suspect that they were less likely to go swimming.

Mid-19th Century

We only begin to learn about bathing suits in any detail with the developmentt of photography (mid-19th century). Coincidentally this was about the same time that Americans began taking an interest in seaside resorts. The railrioad sytem also develooing at about the same time. Seaside resorts will still not well developed in the mid-19th century.

1860s

The photographic record provides a detailed record of the evolution of bathing suits. We bgin to get really large numbrs of images with the appearance of CDVs, but not very many bathing suit images. These were mostly taken at beach resorts and there were sill not ver mny in the 1860s.

The 1870s

We think the portrait here was taken in the 1870s, but we are not at all sure (figure 1). Notice the predoiminance of stripes.

The 1880s

This changed drmaically in the late 19th cetury. The wealth created by indistrialization made vacations posible and the railroads provided the mobility to easily reach the seaside. And photography has left us countless images of bathing suits. By the late-19th century we see men and boys wearing coordinate shirt and knee-length pants, mostly done in wool. Bold stripes were very popular for these suits. We are not sure about the colors. Women and girls wore what looked like knee-lengrth dresses, commonly with dark long stockings. They were less likely to be striped, but we commonly notice strips at the skirt hem. Men might have short sleeves or even sleveless tops, but women usually had long sleeves.

The 1890s

Mos of our images of 19th century bathing suits come from the 1890s. This is because of the vast number of photographic portraits taken. We see many more portraits taken at beach resorts. This reflects the devekopment of Anerica's industrial econonmy. More and more American wanted to go on seaside holidays and could afford it. And by the 1890s resort hotels were develooped at important seaside locations in the Northeast and Mid-Atlanntic states, although Florida was not yet a major attraction. Most bsthing suit images were taken at the resorts so until the resorts were well established we do not see many of the images. In addition, amateur family photographs were beginning to appear. They were still limited in number compared to studio portraits, but at least we have some. As far as we can tell bathing costumes did not change much in the 90s. The boys outfits were something you could swim in, but it is kind of hard to see how the girls were able to swim, especially with long stockings. Bathing caps were almost universal at the beachfor the girls, but usually not worn in studio portraits. We are not sure just why girls wore them. As far ase can tell it was hair styling. Many girls had long hsir and spent considerable time styling their hair. they did not want sea water messing up their styling. There would be other reasoins in the 20th century, but this seems to have been the reason in the 1890s.

Created: 6:40 PM 6/2/2018
Last updated: 5:04 AM 6/10/2018