A few ramblings about knitting, mainly vintage stuff and other bits and bobs

Friday 3 May 2019

Free Pattern Friday - A 1930s Bathing Dress

1930s bathing dress swinsuit

Knit yourself a fabulous bathing dress and be part of the 'Bright Young Things' set. Throughout the late 1920s and early 30s magazines showed the glamorous side of life and fashion changes from the 1920s meant that women were not restricted with their clothing as previously. This meant that legs were seen for the first time and not just in the privacy of your home, you could go out to the lido or beach and strut your stuff for the world to see. 

Suddenly there was the need for a garment that covered the important bits but gave you the freedom to play. This dress is in 2 parts: the long-line vest with a pair of knitted panties underneath, but there are also instructions on how to join them if you wanted a bit more security or to stop you from losing your kecks when swimming. 

You have to wonder how practical a woolen swimming costume would be but they were incredibly popular so women must have been willing to put up the any slips that happened. I also like that women of every size took the opportunity to embrace the fashion. From this photo, I think that the women were actually swimming and their hair is under wraps and they obviously gave no figs about what others thought.

So if you give no figs either, or just want to revel in the glamour of the 1930s then have a go at the pattern - just click on the link below

No comments:

Post a Comment