What women's swimwear from a fashion designer of the 1930s looked like

In the 1930s, the strict requirements of decency related to the appearance of women were rapidly retreating, and the ladies finally got the opportunity to sunbathe on the beaches without causing indignation of the zealots of morality. What did they sunbathe in?

The silhouette of the 1930s swimsuit was inspired by men's swimwear, which still remained one-piece, resembling a circus leotard. To look attractive in such a suit, a man needed a muscular, slender body of an athlete. Women who tried on such swimsuits now also needed to lose weight and achieve a sporty body. Probably, the appearance of swimsuits was the first step to the long-term struggle of women for thinness.

Bathing suits of the early 1930s became more open compared to the styles of the 1920s. They revealed more leg and back skin than ever before. Thin straps also became an invention of that era – from now on, women could flaunt shoulders that should be strong and muscular. Bathing suits of the 1930s in the general cut already differ little from modern swimsuits.

One of the most famous fashion designers who were engaged in swimwear was the Australian Peter O'Sullivan. He presented his swimwear not only in Australia, but also in Britain and in America. He developed and patented a belt buckle for a swimsuit, later known as the "Superman buckle", and also came up with the" modesty shield " – a minimalistic skirt sewn into a bathing suit and barely covering the hips. Such micro-skirts are still used today as components of swimsuits.

Bathing suits in the 1930s ceased to be traditionally striped and began to acquire more and more bright colors.