1870s Beach Fashions: The Flannel Swimming Costume

When you go to the beach this summer, take a moment to consider how it would feel to be wearing the equivalent of flannel pajamas - because this is just what you'd be doing if you lived in the 1870s.*

In 1872 white or colored flannel "with shaded bands and woven fringe" was suggested  for bathing costumes - matched with flannel bathing caps and flannel shoes, too. (Brooklyn Daily Eagle, August 1, 1872, p. 3) Peterson's Magazine agreed: in 1870, they noted that

...the best materials used for bathing-dresses are gray or dark-blue flannel, being the lightest in texture, cheapest in price, but [than?] moreen or tweed [!!]; and some persons recommend common bed-ticking as being better than anything else.

Moreen was a "plain stout cloth of worsted," according to David Booth's An Analytical Dictionary of the English Language (1836, p 185) - it was used for drapes and upholstery, mostly - not swimsuits.

In August 1879 the Eagle stated that "the new seaside costume is called the dragon, and it is made in both plain and checked cashmere, and worn with a cloth jacket that has a military plastron; it is fashioned with small metal buttons." They recycled trends even in the Victorian era, it seems, because 'the dragon' sounds just like the woman's costume in the 1872 picture at right. 

And just think about the idea of cashmere or tweed at the beach - it almost makes flannel (or bed-ticking) sound comfortable. Almost.

Not everyone liked flannel beachwear, though: "The most useful and becoming bathing dresses available are made of navy blue cloth in plainest style. White materials are not suitable, especially for large persons, and white flannel should never be used, since it is entirely worthless after having been once in the water." (Brooklyn Daily Eagle, August 17, 1879, p. 2)

The picture of the flannel bathing costume is from Peterson's Magazine (July 1872) via the NYPL Digital Gallery; as is the picture of the woman and girl in flannel beach attire, also from Peterson's (August 1870), here.

* Wait 'til you see what they were wearing on the beach in the 1850s and 1860s! - post on that coming later this month, along with the story of Lurline the Water Queen and more on Fred Bell (this link has links to all the Fred Bell posts).