Bathing Suit
Name/Title
Bathing SuitEntry/Object ID
2021.01.097a-dDescription
Entirely machine-stitched women's 2-piece bathing suit made of navy blue cotton material in a twill weave. Suit (a) - The center front has a buttoned placket closure that extends down to the crotch. The placket is faced in black plain woven cotton. Knickers gathered to the waist via knife pleat, with elasticated below-the-knee openings. The built-in waist of the bodysuit has wooden buttons around the band, for attaching the skirt via the buttons. Skirt (b) - line of white braiding around the waistband. Buttonholes around the waistband to attach the skirt to the bodysuit. The knife pleats set the skirt into the waist. Pleats meet at the center front with a big box pleat. Attached in handwriting to the bathing bodysuit and matching skirt: Note 1 (c) - "...Mother's (Mary D. McCall) bathing suit. Used at Shelter Lake when Father was laying track in area. Probably between 1910 and 1912. There is another piece to go under this - sort of like a gym suit. Elastic part legs below knees..." Note 2 (continuance of note 1) (d) - "...Under part of Mother's Bathing suit...I asked Mother for the outfit when they first moved to Newark. A while after I discovered the collar and sleeves were cut off - Why? I'll never know! M.V. ..."Collection
Genesee Country Village and MuseumCategory
Adult, Female
Historic Costume