Bathing Suit

Bathing Suit

In the late 1800s and early 1900s, tightly corseted women wore long dresses, even to the beach. But as social mores began to change, fashion at summer resorts began to loosen up: women could enter the changing rooms on the boardwalk in Oak Bluffs and shed their stiff encumbrances. Constrictive clothing was replaced with dark wool bathing suits that included bloomers, stockings, shoes, and often matching caps to cover their hair.

DETAILS


Artist Unknown
Date c. 1890
Type Textile
Credit Gift of Howard H. Eddy from the estate of Helen Hart
Ref No 1990.096
Thematic Collection Collection Highlights
Object information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. To help improve this record, please email collections@mvmuseum.org. Information about image downloads and licensing is available here.