Beach Trouser Suit thumbnail 1
Beach Trouser Suit thumbnail 2
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Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Fashion, Room 40

This object consists of 3 parts, some of which may be located elsewhere.

Beach Trouser Suit

1936-1937 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Trouser suit of white wool and linen with a red and blue narrow stripe. The fitted jacket fastens with single blue composition link blue buttons and the long wide-legged trousers have zips at the side. The jacket is lined with white silk. The trousers are turned up about 3 inches at the bottom. The belt is of twisted red, white and blue wool with two D-shaped loops in chromed metal.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 3 parts.

  • Jacket
  • Trousers
  • Belt
Materials and techniques
Wool and linen, lined with silk, metal
Brief description
Trouser suit of wool and linen and belt, designed by Arnson, London, 1936-1937
Physical description
Trouser suit of white wool and linen with a red and blue narrow stripe. The fitted jacket fastens with single blue composition link blue buttons and the long wide-legged trousers have zips at the side. The jacket is lined with white silk. The trousers are turned up about 3 inches at the bottom. The belt is of twisted red, white and blue wool with two D-shaped loops in chromed metal.
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 suit as having originally been purchased from Arnson of 3 Clifford Street, London, at a total cost of £30. It was probably worn with a "white lisle jersey" that cost £5.5 from Izon, 6 Hanover Square, London, but was not acquired.
Collection
Accession number
T.300 to B-1971

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Record createdJune 24, 2009
Record URL
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