1920s
The swimwear police
No swimsuits at the beach!
July 12, 1922
In Chicago, Illinois, a woman is being arrested for defying a Chicago edict banning "abbreviated bathing suits" on beaches.
Image: Bettmann/CORBIS
In
1919, 20 special deputies called "Sheriffettes" were sworn in to
monitor the swimwear of the bathers at Rockaway Beach, Queens, New York.
This was the latest salvo in an ongoing battle between women and beach
authorities — and not just there.
That same year, a policeman was reprimanded by a judge for arresting a woman who wore a swimsuit under a skirt and sweater. She was walking along Ocean Parkway with her husband and was told to go home and change into complete street attire. The policeman allegedly looked under her skirt to check what she was wearing. The judge told him he had no business to do so and dismissed the charge.
In 1921, a bather in Atlantic City, New Jersey was arrested for wearing her stockings rolled below her knees and refusing to pull them up. She retaliated during her arrest by punching the officer in the eye.
A 1921 Hawaiian law was enacted that no one over 14 years of age could appear in a swimsuit unless "covered suitably by an outer garment reaching at least to the knees." Women began to wear towels around their waists or wrap raincoats around themselves.
That same year, a policeman was reprimanded by a judge for arresting a woman who wore a swimsuit under a skirt and sweater. She was walking along Ocean Parkway with her husband and was told to go home and change into complete street attire. The policeman allegedly looked under her skirt to check what she was wearing. The judge told him he had no business to do so and dismissed the charge.
In 1921, a bather in Atlantic City, New Jersey was arrested for wearing her stockings rolled below her knees and refusing to pull them up. She retaliated during her arrest by punching the officer in the eye.
A 1921 Hawaiian law was enacted that no one over 14 years of age could appear in a swimsuit unless "covered suitably by an outer garment reaching at least to the knees." Women began to wear towels around their waists or wrap raincoats around themselves.
1921
Chicago policewomen checking for violations of the bathing suit-length laws
Image: Bettmann/CORBIS
It was the climax to a long debate about clothing modesty, which mostly targeted women.
In the late 19th century, swimming became less about health and more about pleasure. At that point, the genders divided; men swam with men, women with women, but rarely together.
Into the early 1900s, women's swimming costumes were cumbersome, with high necks, long sleeves, skirts and pants. Often they were made of wool.
But as the century hit its stride, necklines lowered and arms were uncovered. In response, seaside resorts published codes regulating the appearance of swimming costumes, especially the length of the skirts, in the interest of preserving modesty.
The one-piece swimming suit, brought to the public attention by swimmer, vaudeville and film star Annette Kellerman, was legally banned in parts of the U.S. In 1908 Kellerman was arrested for indecent exposure at Revere Beach, Boston, Massachusetts.
In the late 19th century, swimming became less about health and more about pleasure. At that point, the genders divided; men swam with men, women with women, but rarely together.
Into the early 1900s, women's swimming costumes were cumbersome, with high necks, long sleeves, skirts and pants. Often they were made of wool.
But as the century hit its stride, necklines lowered and arms were uncovered. In response, seaside resorts published codes regulating the appearance of swimming costumes, especially the length of the skirts, in the interest of preserving modesty.
The one-piece swimming suit, brought to the public attention by swimmer, vaudeville and film star Annette Kellerman, was legally banned in parts of the U.S. In 1908 Kellerman was arrested for indecent exposure at Revere Beach, Boston, Massachusetts.
These apologies for skirts endanger the morals of the children. The police must interfere and stop the outrageous proceedings.
The Washington Post, 1907
April 1922
Chicago, Illinois - Two bathers being escorted off the beach by a police woman.
Image: Bettmann/CORBIS
The city has no right to tell me how I shall wear my clothes. It is none of their darn business. I will go to jail first.
Louise Rosine, 1921
1925
"Smokey" Buchanan from the West Palm Beach police
force, measuring the bathing suit of Betty Fringle on Palm Beach, to
ensure that it conforms with regulations introduced by the beach
censors.
Image: General Photographic Agency/Getty Images
It was the long civil war of swimwear.
"SPLASH! A HISTORY OF SWIMWEAR" - RICHARD MARTIN AND HAROLD KODA
But
by the early 1930s, the swimwear storm seemed to have blown itself out.
That decade saw a rise in the emphasis on the practical value of
personal health and exercise, and women could finally shake off the
clumsy swimwear of the past for something more practical.
Yet, as Alfred Eisenstadt's 1941 image of a boardwalk sign suggests (below), the scourge of "improper attire" had not entirely gone away.
Yet, as Alfred Eisenstadt's 1941 image of a boardwalk sign suggests (below), the scourge of "improper attire" had not entirely gone away.
1941
