Oh manners: how girls were arrested 100 years ago for wearing short swimwear
Oh manners: how girls were arrested 100 years ago for wearing short swimwear

Video: Oh manners: how girls were arrested 100 years ago for wearing short swimwear

Video: Oh manners: how girls were arrested 100 years ago for wearing short swimwear
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In the early 20th century, girls were arrested for wearing short swimwear
In the early 20th century, girls were arrested for wearing short swimwear

As you know, the crazy 20th century burst into people's lives, violating the centuries-old foundations. The change in public consciousness entailed a rethinking of values, which was reflected in everything: politics, household style, clothing. However, not everyone was happy to accept these dramatic changes and tried to resist new trends. So the first attempts of women to replace dress-covers with bathing suits were perceived by the guardians of order with hostility. Particularly zealous police officers even arrested those whose swimsuit length was above the knee.

One-piece swimsuits are newfangled trends at the beginning of the 20th century, which were not accepted by everyone
One-piece swimsuits are newfangled trends at the beginning of the 20th century, which were not accepted by everyone

Even 100 years ago, women's bathing suits looked like ordinary woolen dresses with pantaloons, in which it was absolutely impossible to swim. But public bathing became more and more popular and ladies tried to replace uncomfortable baggy suits with one-piece swimsuits. Not everyone agreed with such a radical change.

A beach law enforcement officer who keeps track of the length of women's swimwear
A beach law enforcement officer who keeps track of the length of women's swimwear

In 1919, wearing a one-piece swimsuit was prohibited by law in some states of the United States. An organization called the Sheriffettes was formed, with 20 employees who oversaw the "decency" of New York's beaches. There are even reports of arrests of women wearing tight-fitting swimwear.

On the beach, the guardian of the order measures the length of a lady's swimsuit
On the beach, the guardian of the order measures the length of a lady's swimsuit

In 1921, in the American city of Atlantic City, a lady was arrested on the beach for refusing to pull her stockings above her knees. At the same time, a law came into force in Hawaii, according to which everyone over the age of 14 was required to wear swimwear with a length of no higher than the knee. Especially savvy girls began to wrap their waist with a towel or raincoats.

A bathing suit that could be arrested for at the beginning of the 20th century
A bathing suit that could be arrested for at the beginning of the 20th century

It wasn't until the early 1930s that the morality police loosened their grip, and swimwear began to be regarded as comfortable clothing for exercise.

Beachwear fashion of the early 20th century
Beachwear fashion of the early 20th century
In the early 20th century, men were also not allowed to bare their breasts
In the early 20th century, men were also not allowed to bare their breasts

The beginning of the 20th century was a real revolution for changing swimwear and shared beaches for men and women. However, 50 years before this time in the Victorian era, in order to spend a day by the water, ladies had to carry not only a bathing suit, but also … a special bathing machine.

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