Old Fashioned Mens One Piece Bathing Suit

What did men wear to the puddle or beach in the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s? Vintage men'due south swimwear experienced big changes over the course of xxx years. From the unitard look of the 1930s to the wool swim brief in the 1940s catastrophe with the classic boxer shorts of the 1950s.  Some of these men's vintage bathing suit looks are back in manner while others are still antiques from the past.

Let's take a brief expect at vintage men's swim suits past decade. The article looks at 1930s to the 1950s. For the 1920s look hither and for the 1960s to 1980s look hither.

(roll to the end to shop for vintage retro swim trunks or click hither).

1937 swimwear (J. C. Leyendecker art)

1930s Vintage Men's Swimsuits

While the men'south 1920s swimsuit was a one-piece long tank top over attached shorts, the 1930s embraced the change to 2 piece swimsuits. The ideal Superman body of the 1930s made a homo'due south torso something to show off at the pool or beach. "Crab dorsum" tops were cutting broad around the neck, arms and waist providing minimal coverage to the chest.

Broad horizontal stripe tops were in colors of brown and yellow, yellow and blueish, red and tan, black and gold, bluish and white, and dark-green and greyness fabricated swimwear stand out on the beach.

Instead of them being a unitard equally they were in the 1920s, the "twosome" bathing adjust zipped, snapped or buttoned onto the inside of the shorts, giving the look of a jumpsuit swimsuit. The shorts had an attached supporter (narrow briefs) sewn into the waistband. Some shorts had a false fly front end.  Marron was the trendiest new color in swim shorts.

Solid colors of blue or blackness were the about common shorts colors. A white cotton belt with metallic squeeze held the shorts in place.  As the decade progressed, shorts became shorter, rising into a loftier-waisted brief and fit with a little less room in the front.

For men who were not quite so bold as to article of clothing a very fitted knit swimsuit, could wear the shorts style with attached tiptop. Shorts fit like men's  trousers with a loftier waist, button wing, and a small coin pocket on 1 side. A white or colorful belt held the shorts up. They were made of wool flannel instead of knitted wool.

Top and bottom swimwear fix

When not swimming, men would wear a coordinating polo shirt effectually the pool or resort. Flannel, seersucker and terry fabric short robes were another throw over pick. They could exist solid colors, horizontal wide stripes, plaid or tropical prints. A pair of white flannel trousers could too exist worn over bathing suits.

1940s Vintage Men'south Swimsuits

In the 1930s, men'south two piece swimsuits were loosing favor. Men were removing the summit and wearing but the brief, particularly in Europe where modesty wasn't as serious as information technology was in America. By the cease of the decade retailers were catching on to the trend and selling swim briefs without tops.

1939 swim briefs with and without the swim top

Most swim briefs were made of worsted or Zepher rib-knit wool. However, rayon 'Lastex' fabric, which utilized spandex for stretch (and dried much faster than wool!), was coming into use, eventually replacing wool and cotton altogether.  Rayon-Lastex had smoothen like satin or could be matt and textured similar knits. While most shorts were a plain solid colour some featured Hawaiian prints or subtle plaids and checks.  Royal blueish was the newest color with maroon, navy bluish and green being the other choices.

Swim briefs were very high in the waist and had depression-cut legs besides. Some were worn with white cotton wool belts while others had a wide knitted waistband, inside drawstring or elastic gathered waistband (after the War.)  Most had a small-scale money pocket on i side that buttoned or zipped shut.

There was ane style of swimsuit called a "one-half-skirt trunks" that appeared in the early on 1940s. It was literally a very short skirt with a pair of briefs sewn into the band. The brim was and so brusque the brief's were visible.  Likewise immodest for near Americans they were more than often seen in European or in the gay customs. Hawaiian prints on a white ground made these swim shorts extra fun to wear. Solid colors with white briefs called attention to what was under the brim.  They came back in fashion in the 1950s.

In the later years, brighter colors such as yellow, red, lime light-green, orange and white were added to the swimsuit mix.

1948 men's swim briefs

Swim trunks were rising in popularity during the late '40s. The shorts were made with cotton fiber and had an elastic waist. They were also worn with a high waist and were cutting straight, coming to mid-thigh. Trunks were commonly in the same colors every bit briefs but were also made in loud tropical prints and nautical motifs. They were worn with a matching short-sleeved button-up shirts later chosen a Cabana shirt, and cotton or terry cloth T-shirts.

1947 matching "cabana gear up" in a sailboat prints

1950s Vintage Men's Swimsuits

In the early on 1950s, high waist brief style swim shorts were withal in fashion.  Belts were gone but wide gathered elastic waistbands were in place.  Built in supporters were attached to both cursory and boxer types. Carve up cursory way swim supporters could likewise be purchased.

1952 elastic waist swim trunks and brief in plain or tropical prints

Oddly enough, Americans were backside the fourth dimension in men's swim fashion. Beachside rules kept men in minor swimwear while European, Hawaiian, and Caribbean area cultures embraced the French bikini. Information technology was a 1930s manner tight brief with a high cut leg and below the umbilicus waistband. The "Speedo" of the 1950s. In America, few men choose these suits except gay men. Elsewhere, they were considered normal for every homo.

1950s mens swim trunks, briefs, boxer, and shorts varieties

The swim boxer / trunk became the almost mutual swimwear for men in the '50s. Leg lengths extended down a few inches or down to the knee (swim-walkers.)  The idea was they looked like men's walking shorts so that they would be worn with a matching shirt at any beachside resort and not be nether-dressed.

1958 men's swim shorts and shirts

Some swim shorts had zipped flys and a small within pocket. Outer coin pockets continued to be placed on all styles of swimwear. Some had a apartment waistband with tab button band which was a nod back to sport shorts in the 1930s. Others had half belts across the front, side zippers, or inside drawstrings.

1959 mens shorts and swimsuits with shirts

The variety or waistband treatments, lengths, and fit complimented the multitude of colors and patterns. While previous decades favored solid colors, the 1950s wanted prints.

Tropical prints, novelty prints, geometric prints, "Atomic Art," ocean life (body of water equus caballus, sea shells, palm copse, holiday destinations) too equally pocket-sized plaids, checks, gingham, and vertical stripes.  Loud Caribbean area colors such as teal blue, yellow, carmine, ocean green, and white made it difficult to go unnoticed.

1955 tab button waistband and novelty swim trunks with shirt and jacket

As a cover-up, matching cabana shirts continued to be sold with swim trunks. These tropically themed, plaid, striped or novelty impress sport shirts gave men an opportunity to leave their grayness flannel suits at the office and relish life in more color at the beach.

Buy vintage style men'due south swimwear

If you lot don't want to article of clothing genuine vintage swimsuits (wool=itchy), there are some options for new, vintage inspired swim trunks. The current styles favor the '60s and '70s with boxer fashion and hip hugger shorts. A few brands are making short shorts with push waistbands instead of a drawstring. Sadly, well-nigh no one is making high rise '30s to '50s swimming trunks and briefs. Y'all could commission one to be hand knitted by Vintage Stitches Historical Knitting (Britain)

For 1920s and 1930s jumpsuit swimsuits, consider a singlet (wrestling suit) instead. Yous could besides pair a long tank top with biking or yoga shorts together for a two-slice await. You could attach them together with snaps to go on the pinnacle from floating upwards in the pool.

Most mod swim trunks could work for a '50s look if you remove the drawstring. They will non be high waisted. The better pick is to accept a fitted waistband instead of elastic.  Wait for fun retro prints or archetype solid colors with matching cabana shirts. Cabana sets are back in way this year (Yessss!)

Here are some options for 1920s to 1990s styles:

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