Looming War impacts 1940s Swimsuits –
Just months before the US entry into war, it appeared that patriotism was already taking a hold in the imaginations of American designers.
From hats to sandals to swimsuits, the girls love it in the same way they love a parade. Swimwear is red, white and blue this year. By good fortune, the national colors make a fine, bright, hot weather combination, good for both day and evening wear and particularly for beachwear. Chances are that the patriotic fervour of preparedness and National Defence is superseded by the unfashionable grimness of real war.
Individually, the girls in the picture by Life photographer Herbert Gehr would cut quite a figure on any beach. But as a sun bathing trio, they inspire the patriots to cheer. They are wearing figure-moulding, skin tight bathing suits made of a new featherweight silk material processed with rubber.
Flag-waving on summer beaches takes this subtle form. Kay Williams flaunts her patriotism in a rubber bathing suit with a red-white-and-blue bra, pleated blue trunks with tight white ones underneath, flag-colored sandals and a huge sailcloth beach bag.
That’s all ! ©Glamourdaze.com
Originally published
LIFE Magazine – 7 Jul 1941
I love a good vintage bathing suit!! Thanks for sharing.