While the 1920s started the trend for leisure activities like swimming, it was economic changes in the 1930s that made swimming a past time for everyone, not just those lucky enough to live near a beach.
Yarn covered in rubber invented in 1931 to make swimwear much more comfortable and lighter to wear. Previously all wool swimsuits looked fine dry but sagged terribly when wet and weighed a few extra pounds, too. With less sag, thinner material and a stiffer stretch to it, it was possible for designers to build in support for women — girdles and light bras. This helped women of all shapes look and feel better in swimwear.
The 1930s swimwears could be made of cotton or Rayon, which was more comfortable against the skin than wool.
These glamorous photos captured portraits of classic beauties that defined the 1930s swimwear styles.
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| From left to right: Gertrude Michael, Judith Barrett, and Mary Carlisle in swimsuits |
Yarn covered in rubber invented in 1931 to make swimwear much more comfortable and lighter to wear. Previously all wool swimsuits looked fine dry but sagged terribly when wet and weighed a few extra pounds, too. With less sag, thinner material and a stiffer stretch to it, it was possible for designers to build in support for women — girdles and light bras. This helped women of all shapes look and feel better in swimwear.
The 1930s swimwears could be made of cotton or Rayon, which was more comfortable against the skin than wool.
These glamorous photos captured portraits of classic beauties that defined the 1930s swimwear styles.
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| Alice White |
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| Andrea Leeds |
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| Anita Louise |
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| Ann Dvorak |
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| Ann Evers |
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| Ann Sheridan |
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| Anna May Wong |
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| Bette Davis |
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| Betty Furness |
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| Betty Grable |
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| Blanca Vischer |
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| Blanche Le Clair |
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| Carole Lombard |
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| Cecilia Parker |
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| Clara Bow |
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| Dorothy Arnold |
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| Dorothy Dare |
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| Dorothy Lamour |
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| Dorothy Sebastian |
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| Eleanor Troy |
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| Esther Ralston |
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| Frances Drake |
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| Gale Sondergaard |
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| Gertrude Michael |
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| Ginger Rogers |
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| Grace Bradley |
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| Irene Hervey |
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| Jean Arthur |
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| Jean Harlow |
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| Jeanette MacDonald |
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| Joan Blondell |
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| Joan Crawford |
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| Joan Fontaine |
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| Joan Marsh |
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| Joyce Compton |
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| Judith Barrett |
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| June Clyde |
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| June Travis |
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| Karen Morley |
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| Lola Todd |
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| Lucille Ball |
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| Lynn Bari |
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| Madge Evans |
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| Margaret Lockwood |
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| Mary Carlisle |
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| Olivia de Havilland |
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| Patricia Ellis |
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| Paulette Goddard |
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| Priscilla Lawson |
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| Raquel Torres |
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| Rita Hayworth |
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| Sally Rand |
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| Sheila Darcy |
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| Thelma Todd |
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| Toby Wing |
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| Una Merkel |
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| Victoria Vinton |
