Bathing Suits

A DigitalNZ Story by Courtney Johnston

It's not itsy-bitsy, teeny-weeny or a bikini, but there is at least one spotted one ...

advertising, bathing suits, bathing costumes, togs, jantzen, modelling, beaches

Image: Young woman modelling bathing suit and cap

Young woman modelling bathing suit and cap

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Showing a model wearing a two toned bathing suit 1940

Showing a model wearing a two toned bathing suit 1940

Auckland Libraries

Image: Showing a model wearing a spotted bathing suit 1940

Showing a model wearing a spotted bathing suit 1940

Auckland Libraries

Image: Miss Mercedes Gleitze, English endurance swimmer

Miss Mercedes Gleitze, English endurance swimmer

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Man modelling a bathing suit

Man modelling a bathing suit

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Modelling Jantzen bathing costumes

Modelling Jantzen bathing costumes

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Women's dresses, undergarments & bathing suits

Women's dresses, undergarments & bathing suits

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Group of men in bathing suits

Group of men in bathing suits

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Untitled (5). From the series: Mephitis

Untitled (5). From the series: Mephitis

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Image: Men modelling swimming costumes

Men modelling swimming costumes

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: A woman identified as Lola, posing in a bathing costume, probably in Auckland

A woman identified as Lola, posing in a bathing costume, probably in Auckland

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Creator unknown :Photograph of two children in bathing costumes on beach

Creator unknown :Photograph of two children in bathing costumes on beach

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Smart is the only word to describe this bathing suit and cape of plaid and printed celanese rayon jersey. (Evening Post, 07 January 1939)

Smart is the only word to describe this bathing suit and cape of plaid and printed celanese rayon jersey. (Evening Post, 07 January 1939)

National Library of New Zealand

Image: Women in bathing costume lying on a beach

Women in bathing costume lying on a beach

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Full length portrait of a model wearing a bathing suit, 1940s

Full length portrait of a model wearing a bathing suit, 1940s

Auckland Libraries

Image: Full length portrait of model wearing a bathing suit, for Korma Mills

Full length portrait of model wearing a bathing suit, for Korma Mills

Auckland Libraries

Image: Modelling women's bathing costumes

Modelling women's bathing costumes

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Showing a model wearing a striped bathing suit 1940

Showing a model wearing a striped bathing suit 1940

Auckland Libraries

Image: One of the newest bathing suits. (Observer, 21 November 1914)

One of the newest bathing suits. (Observer, 21 November 1914)

National Library of New Zealand

Image: Two women model their bathing suits at the beach

Two women model their bathing suits at the beach

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Two women in bathing suits, Lyall Bay, Wellington

Two women in bathing suits, Lyall Bay, Wellington

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: 1960s bathing suit contest

1960s bathing suit contest

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Beauty pageant contestants and crowd, Marine Parade, Napier

Beauty pageant contestants and crowd, Marine Parade, Napier

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Michael Johnson and girlfriend, Waihi

Michael Johnson and girlfriend, Waihi

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Image: Publicity photograph for Jantzen Swimwear

Publicity photograph for Jantzen Swimwear

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Image: Publicity photograph for Jantzen Swimwear

Publicity photograph for Jantzen Swimwear

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Image: Wellington Ladies Surf Lifesaving Club

Wellington Ladies Surf Lifesaving Club

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Full length portrait of a model for New Zealand Knitted Wear 1940s

Full length portrait of a model for New Zealand Knitted Wear 1940s

Auckland Libraries

Image: Full length portrait of a model for New Zealand Knitted Wear 1940s

Full length portrait of a model for New Zealand Knitted Wear 1940s

Auckland Libraries

Image: Full length portrait of a model for New Zealand Knitted Wear 1940s

Full length portrait of a model for New Zealand Knitted Wear 1940s

Auckland Libraries

Image: Full length portrait of a model for New Zealand Knitted Wear 1940s

Full length portrait of a model for New Zealand Knitted Wear 1940s

Auckland Libraries

Image: Portrait of Hugh Porter in swimming togs and sunglasses

Portrait of Hugh Porter in swimming togs and sunglasses

Auckland Libraries

Image: Tararua Range: Arete Trip 1932, combined clubs ascent of Kapakapanui

Tararua Range: Arete Trip 1932, combined clubs ascent of Kapakapanui

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Image: Sylvia Rimmer

Sylvia Rimmer

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Image: Model wearing `thong' swimsuit, 1975

Model wearing `thong' swimsuit, 1975

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Model wearing bikini swimsuit, 1974

Model wearing bikini swimsuit, 1974

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: K.B.R.

K.B.R.

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Newmans Coach Tours Ltd :Newmans coach tours , 1951-52 season. Schedule of conducted party tours throughout New Zealand. [Brochure cover. 1951].

Newmans Coach Tours Ltd :Newmans coach tours , 1951-52 season. Schedule of conducted party tours throughout New Zealand. [Brochure cover. 1951].

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: [Fashion models in a studio.]

[Fashion models in a studio.]

Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira

Image: Full length portrait of poolside scene with the Aquabelles

Full length portrait of poolside scene with the Aquabelles

Auckland Libraries

Image: Full length portrait of Mrs Sweetman modelling bathing suit

Full length portrait of Mrs Sweetman modelling bathing suit

Auckland Libraries

Image: Full length portrait of Barbara Skokandich, modelling a bathing suit

Full length portrait of Barbara Skokandich, modelling a bathing suit

Auckland Libraries

Image: Hastings, Hawkes Bay : 24 December 1925-28 December 1925

Hastings, Hawkes Bay : 24 December 1925-28 December 1925

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Image: Trixie Denton at Otaki Beach

Trixie Denton at Otaki Beach

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Image: Boy swimmer in river

Boy swimmer in river

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Image: Unidentified young woman at the beach

Unidentified young woman at the beach

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Beach girl

Beach girl

Auckland Libraries