Bathing Suit thumbnail 1
Bathing Suit thumbnail 2
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Not currently on display at the V&A

Bathing Suit

1937-1939 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Two-piece bathing suit made of yellow wool jersey comprising of a pair of shorts and brassiere top. Brassiere top with a crossed strap fastening.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Bathing Costume Bottoms
  • Bathing Costume Top
Materials and techniques
Wool jersey
Brief description
Two-piece bathing suit of wool jersey, retailed by Finnigans Ltd., London, 1937-1939
Physical description
Two-piece bathing suit made of yellow wool jersey comprising of a pair of shorts and brassiere top. Brassiere top with a crossed strap fastening.
Dimensions
  • Bust circumference: 78cm
  • Waist circumference: 63cm
  • Hips circumference: 87cm
Measurements taken while object was mounted so should be used with margin of error. Mounted footprint dimensions; height 165cm, width 80 cm and depth 50 cm.
Object history
RF 71/920
Group of beachwear (T.292 to 301-1971) bought at a Christies auction in April 1971. Although sold as belonging to an anonymous lady, these pieces were owned and worn by Vera, Lady Swettenham, who married Sir Frank Athelstane Swettenham (1850-1946) in 1939 after his divorce from his first wife of 60 years.

The Swettenham property lists identify this piece as having originally been purchased from Finnigans Ltd at 17 New Bond Street, London, at a cost of £2.14.5
Collection
Accession number
T.294&A-1971

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Record createdMay 22, 2009
Record URL
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