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Honored Contributor

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Registered: ‎11-08-2014

LEARNING TO SWIM, IN 1898 NEW YORK

‎04-11-2025 12:07 PM

Screenshot 2025-04-11 at 12.03.00 PM.png

On a Staten Island beach, a swimming instructor and student enjoy a friendly, relaxed moment.

Both are pretty covered up, but are wearing what in 1898, were referred to as "bathing costumes"!

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Re: LEARNING TO SWIM, IN 1898 NEW YORK

‎04-11-2025 12:21 PM

Women enjoy the beach with their wool swimming suits. late 1890s to early 1900s. : r/SnapshotHistory

~My philosophy: Dogs are God's most perfect creatures. Angels, here on Earth, who teach us to be better human beings.~

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Re: LEARNING TO SWIM, IN 1898 NEW YORK

‎04-11-2025 12:23 PM

The Bygone Era of the Prim & Proper Bathing Suit | Maine Boats Homes & Harbors

~My philosophy: Dogs are God's most perfect creatures. Angels, here on Earth, who teach us to be better human beings.~

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Re: LEARNING TO SWIM, IN 1898 NEW YORK

‎04-11-2025 12:24 PM

I love the bathing suits. No worries about revealing figure flaws.

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Re: LEARNING TO SWIM, IN 1898 NEW YORK

‎04-11-2025 12:26 PM

A group of swimmers gathered for a photo in 1898 on Maine’s Popham Beach. Wet swimming costumes indicate that some in the group had taken a dip before the photo was taken. A 1920 article in the Portland Sunday Telegram commented on the new fashion of women rolling down their swim stockings, calling them “quite the fad.” “For the balance of the season rolled down stockings will be popular with the sea nymphs who frequent the bathing beach.” Photo courtesy Penobscot Marine Museum

~My philosophy: Dogs are God's most perfect creatures. Angels, here on Earth, who teach us to be better human beings.~

Honored Contributor

Posts: 45,238

Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: LEARNING TO SWIM, IN 1898 NEW YORK

‎04-11-2025 12:29 PM

Striped Bathing Suits: The Favorite Swimwear of Men in the Early 20th Century ~ Vintage Everyday

~My philosophy: Dogs are God's most perfect creatures. Angels, here on Earth, who teach us to be better human beings.~

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Re: LEARNING TO SWIM, IN 1898 NEW YORK

‎04-11-2025 12:29 PM

1890s Bathing Costume | Lily Absinthe

~My philosophy: Dogs are God's most perfect creatures. Angels, here on Earth, who teach us to be better human beings.~

Honored Contributor

Posts: 45,238

Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: LEARNING TO SWIM, IN 1898 NEW YORK

‎04-11-2025 12:30 PM

A Century in Swimsuits - Interview Magazine

~My philosophy: Dogs are God's most perfect creatures. Angels, here on Earth, who teach us to be better human beings.~

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Re: LEARNING TO SWIM, IN 1898 NEW YORK

‎04-11-2025 12:32 PM

@just bee , thanks for posting those! They all look like they're having fun.

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Re: LEARNING TO SWIM, IN 1898 NEW YORK

‎04-11-2025 12:33 PM

@Kachina624 wrote:
I love the bathing suits. No worries about revealing figure flaws.

@Kachina624 at that time, most were made of wool or terrycloth. I'd embrace figure flaws instead of wearing those fabrics in the summer in the water. 😂 I cannot imagine what that felt like coming out of the water.