The Swimsuit: A History of Twentieth-Century Fashion by Sarah Kennedy


The Swimsuit: A History of Twentieth-Century Fashion
Title : The Swimsuit: A History of Twentieth-Century Fashion
Author :
Rating :
ISBN : 1847323820
ISBN-10 : 9781847323828
Language : English
Format Type : Hardcover
Number of Pages : 304
Publication : First published May 7, 2007

From bloomers to bikinis, practical sportswear to sexy fashion statement, The Swimsuit pays glorious, glossy tribute to bathing wear in all its incarnations. It marries design history to stunning photography, showcasing images of vintage costumes along with illustrations gathered from diverse fashion magazines, advertising, and manufacturers’ archives, including that of the Portland Knitting Company (later, Jantzen) and Cole of California. Organized chronologically, the book focuses on such special topics as the bikini, beauty pageants, and brands, as well as the creations of the great couture houses of the early twentieth century and present day swimsuit-only designers. Intriguing visually and historically, The Swimsuit is not just about an item of clothing; it is about women themselves—the way they’ve styled themselves and their relationship to their own bodies—set against a fabulous background of social changes and trends.


The Swimsuit: A History of Twentieth-Century Fashion Reviews


  • Jackson

    Great commentary, writing, and social conjecture. The photos very nice, too, for the most part

  • Jessica

    An interesting look at how women's bathing suits have changed over the past 200 years. Although, the more recent suits are rather fashion forward, instead of the regular suits and bikinis that the majority of women wear.