Togs, Togs, Undies, Togs

A DigitalNZ Story by Sienna Latham

If you can't see the water, you're in underpants: An ode to one of the greatest ads ever. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-Lx2ihpGbc

bathing suits, swimming, sunbathing, modelling, underwear, underpants transformation areas

Image: Modelling Jantzen bathing costumes

Modelling Jantzen 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: A women and two children, wearing swimming costumes in the sea

A women and two children, wearing swimming costumes in the sea

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Two women model their bathing suits at the beach

Two women model their bathing suits at the beach

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Peter Jamieson, after his successful winter swim to win rugby test tickets

Peter Jamieson, after his successful winter swim to win rugby test tickets

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: Men modelling swimming costumes

Men modelling swimming costumes

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Full length portrait of poolside scene with the Aquabelles

Full length portrait of poolside scene with the Aquabelles

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: Alan Hart, Port Waikato

Alan Hart, Port Waikato

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Image: Showing a model wearing a spotted bathing suit 1940

Showing a model wearing a spotted bathing suit 1940

Auckland Libraries

Image: The bather

The bather

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Image: Model wearing `thong' swimsuit, 1975

Model wearing `thong' swimsuit, 1975

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Beach pageant, women wearing bathing suits from different eras

Beach pageant, women wearing bathing suits from different eras

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: 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: "The sea hath its pearls": 'Boxing Day at Hokio, 26 December 1918'. From the album: Family photograph album; 1917 - 1920; Adkin, Leslie

"The sea hath its pearls": 'Boxing Day at Hokio, 26 December 1918'. From the album: Family photograph album; 1917 - 1920; Adkin, Leslie

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Image: Waitarere Beach

Waitarere Beach

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Image: The Mermaid

The Mermaid

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Image: St Clair (Dunedin) life-saving team competing in an event

St Clair (Dunedin) life-saving team competing in an event

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: New Plymouth High School Old Boys surf team

New Plymouth High School Old Boys surf team

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Image: Fashion parade, Wellington Town Hall

Fashion parade, Wellington Town Hall

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Lily Copplestone before her attempt to swim Cook Strait

Lily Copplestone before her attempt to swim Cook Strait

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: Two women in bathing suits, Lyall Bay, Wellington

Two women in bathing suits, Lyall Bay, Wellington

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Publicity photograph for Jantzen Swimwear

Publicity photograph for Jantzen Swimwear

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

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: Sudwind (Southwind)

Sudwind (Southwind)

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Image: Shirley and Bert Jones at Whatipū

Shirley and Bert Jones at Whatipū

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: The Wellington Ladies' Surf and Life-saving Club's team at season opening, Lyall Bay beach, Wellington

The Wellington Ladies' Surf and Life-saving Club's team at season opening, Lyall Bay beach, Wellington

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Model wearing bikini swimsuit, 1974

Model wearing bikini swimsuit, 1974

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Nelson and Buller want to see you! [Pamphlet cover. ca 1940].

Nelson and Buller want to see you! [Pamphlet cover. ca 1940].

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Maranui C drawing for places before competing for the Silver Reel

Maranui C drawing for places before competing for the Silver Reel

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Mr J Clark of Maranui Life Saving Club being carried by clubmates, Lyall Bay

Mr J Clark of Maranui Life Saving Club being carried by clubmates, Lyall Bay

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Free Lance annual cover 1946

Free Lance annual cover 1946

Auckland Libraries

Image: Women's team, surf life saving carnival, Paekakariki, New Zealand.

Women's team, surf life saving carnival, Paekakariki, New Zealand.

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Relay race, surf carnival, Lyall Bay, Wellington, New Zealand

Relay race, surf carnival, Lyall Bay, Wellington, New Zealand

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Women at the surf life saving carnival, Paekakariki, New Zealand

Women at the surf life saving carnival, Paekakariki, New Zealand

Alexander Turnbull Library