Antique-Gown

Bathing in the sea in the 1870s cannot be compared with today. The ladies went into the shallow water on so-called “bathing machines”, which were pulled by horses. Here they would sit down, walk around with their dresses gathered up and occasionally lie down in the shallow water. Hardly anyone could swim, so bathing was more like a social event where you were allowed to get wet. Etiquette and fashion trends had to be maintained at this time. Very few bathing costumes from this period have survived. This antique bathing dress that we are presenting here comes from a private collection in England.

The bathing dress is intended for a lady, probably the young woman's mother. Perhaps she only wore the dress on board the “bathing machine” when she was supervising teenagers, or perhaps she actually wore it in the water (the fabric feels as if it got wet a few times). It is made of blue striped cotton fabric, the typical material for bathing dresses of the time. The antique bathing dress is a two-piece consisting of a bodice and skirt.

The bodice has a small stand-up collar, long sleeves decorated with lace and gold-colored buttons to close it at the front. The buttons have probably been replaced. Small peplum at the back. The skirt shows the typical shape of dresses from the mid-1870s: asymmetrical cut and a cul/bustle at the back. This dress was very fashionable for the time. Integrated pocket. Decorated with lace.

The bathing dress is in good condition. It has a few wear-related stains, subtle signs of age and wear, a few minor flaws and a few open seams. All in all, however: a unique and very, very rare testimony to a bygone bathing culture.

Chest: ~ 80 cm
Waist: ~ 65 cm
Length: ~ 135 cm

Price: 1.550 Euro