Figure 1.--This boy in 1927 is playing in the sand. Weare not sure just where this was. He is wearing romper pants. Wethink the photograph was taken in England, but it may have been taken in Scotland. |
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English children did not always wear bathing suits to the beach. In fact before World War II (1939-45), swimsuits were not all that common. Here changing conventions about swimming as well as climate were factors. Many children even in the early 20th century might wear suits and other outfits, especiall sailor suits. Social class was a major factor. Most children seem to have just worn their regular clothes. Boys from more prosperous familirs might have worn more specialized outfits like sailor suits. Wide brimmed hats were commonly worn. English children commonly went to the beach without swimsuits. Children commonly enjoy playing in the sand more than actual swiming. Thus beachwear was often not swimsuits. Many times they only waded or played in the sand. Modern readers might think they were dressed very formally. We commonly see boys at the seaside wearing Norfolk suits and Eton collars in the early 20th century. Gradually we see boys wearing more casual clothes. Here we have two types of clothing. The first are actual swimsuits or bathing costumes and the second are outfits worn at beach resorts, but not actual swimsuits.
A reader writes, "Looking at the 'rompers' that this boy is wearing there is something peculair about the fabric. It is stiff. It doesn't fall into folds, unlike the cotton of which rompers would usually be made. I think they are made of a rubberised material; ie. it is waterproof to allow play on damp sand. I have a dim recollection of seeing such in my early youth, or even wearing them! Pehaps another reader can confirm that such garments were around."
Our reader has since found a reference to bwhat were called macintosh knickers.
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