Today brings the 1940's into view.
The 1940's followed an era of Maillot suits with the sides cut out. (Maillot? I had to look it up too! Basically a tank type suit!) Esther Williams was making swimming at lot more popular. Coco Chanel's influence made suntans fashionable. Women were becoming more comfortable with the two piece and bare midriff, although it was not until later when the bikini would make it's first appearance on beaches. Nylon and Latex were being widely used in swimwear.
The 1940's and the war effort required lots of materials normally used in swimwear. The government required a 10 % reduction in the amount of fabric used to help the war effort. This was when the skirt panels all but disappeared. Again Esther Williams became one of the ladies of the silver screen to use this new type of suit. Bare midriffs allowed on beach, but not in public please!
Vintage Beach VI, Acrylic on canvas, 16 x 20
Day 11 of the 100 days~100 paintings
No comments:
Post a Comment