1930 - 1939

Origin - The swimsuits of this decade were based on the swimsuits of the previous decade. They were similar but the new swimsuits were more revealing. They were tighter fitting and a bit shorter. The size of the swimsuits were not the only change from the old suits. The suits were being made out of a different material to make them more practical in water. These swimsuits were still a bit modest. Instead of having tight shorts that were more common later on these swimsuits had skirts and the bottom. The swimsuits were more colorful and there was more of a variety in the 1930s.

Purpose - The purpose in the change of these swimsuits was largely practicality. The type of fabric used to make these swimsuits changed. Instead of just wool like the previous swimsuits, these swimsuits were a latex and wool blend. This new material made swimming easier. It made the fabric less droopy and heavy when it got wet. The new size and material made watersports much easier for women to participate in. Sun bathing also became more popular during this time. The swimsuits exposed more skin so that the sun could reach more of it. These swimsuits were much more practical than previous swimsuits for athletics and sunbathing.

Value - In the 1930s women had had the right to vote for ten years and they were a lot closer to being treated equally to men but there was still work to be done. During this decade women continued to use swimsuits to bring equality to men and women. Women were breaking the gender roles and working in more jobs that had previously only been performed by men and they were also beginning to participate in the same sports. These new swimsuits allowed women to more easily participate in the same water sports as men. The amount of skin and figure that these swimsuits revealed also helped with the feminist movement. Women were defying the rules of how women should dress and act. These swimsuits helped to defy the societal rules of how revealing women’s clothing should be.

Limitations - The progression of women’s swimsuits can show us how women were progressing in American society. Not everyone reacted well to the new swimsuits but the swimsuits can’t tell us very much about that. Many people were upset with how revealing the swimsuits were. Women’s new style of clothing caused conflict within American Society. The swimsuits played a part in this conflict but the swimsuits alone can’t convey what the conflict was and what the result was. The swimsuits can tell us about the progression of the feminist movement but they can’t tell us about the struggle.