The Wilmington morning star. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1909-1990, 1946-02-19
Blooner Girls II Be Back This Summer
At Wrightsuille And Carolina Beache:

Idown to the knees featuring a high
neckline with three-quarter length
sleeves. Under the bathing dress,
big baggy boomers were worn
e. and for that extra "touch'' of
smartness, some of the boomers
ended in a ruffle, showing below
the knee.
With this bathing costume. the
Wearer also wore a corset which
was tightly laced and very wide
brassier which was tied or hooked
to the top of the corset. Last but
not least, this bathing beauty
donned long glack stockings with
low bathing shoes with laces en-
twined around the ankle.
Gathered Cap
But, just before she took the
final plunge into the briny ocean,
she completed her outfit with a
round, gathered bathing cap: ="
Now the 1916 bloomer girl suit
is also two-piece but instead of
being made with 10 yards of ma
terial it is only made with one
yard. Briefly, it consists of a
strapless, narrow bra and very
short boomers. 1t is made of in
teresting cottons of plaids, stripes
and ginghams.
The American designers are puz-
zled, wondering what the next
move will be as they begin to
think in terms of 1947 bathing
creations. Will something be taken
off, or will something new be ad-
ded?
Miss Kellerman?
AS far back as 1910 Miss Annette
Kellerman, first woman swimmer,
defied the laws of society and ap-
peared in a tight, one-piece bath
ing suit after discarding ruffles
and heavy corset that went with
bathing dresses of that day.
Seven years later heavy WOO
chemise dresses appeared which
were worn over boomers. Shoes
} and stockings were taken off by
the very daring and unconvention
; al.
During the war years of 1918-191e
bathing skirts became shorter ane
suits more form-fitting, but still
modest. Stockings were required.
Shocking Tight
Then came the flapper era, anc
with it came the popular Jantzer
suit. Shocking tight-fitted kni
suits were appearing on the beach
es, however, stockings still remain
ed a must" 1t was not until 1872
hat stockings were discarded al
together.
Jersey and pure silk materials
came into their own right as the
fancy "dressmaker" suit was In
troduced in 1926. This suit was a
real flatterer to the lassies' figures.
Tighter and more revealing in form
the women by this time were think
ing in terms of swimming and not
merely bathing.
lOWdAu 4>uuAoJ
When the stock markets crashed
in 1890, a sudden trend to nudity
was noticed as men and women
looked about the same in belteo
suits on the beaches. Two years
later skirts had been mixed te
the top of things as the backless
0ne-piece suits were in.
Borrowed from the Rivera, the
first slinky suit appeared In 1875
named the ''maillot." Then 1ol
lowed a discreet halter which 1lttee
into separate pants, alas, this wa:
the beginning of the bra and pant
combination. By 1886 the pare
uidriff suits were widespread,
however, many beaches oahneo
this suit.
Suits For Nudists
As we come along to 1916 bathln
suits we are we'll aware by thll
time that during the past 80 year
the change in styles OF bathln
s,,i+s indicated that bathers like I
show off their bodies.
Today, there are suits aeslgne
for the nude swimmers. Thls flo Ga,
inc bathing suit is equipped wit
cork buckle that LOOKS IKE
.roiniat1,re lifesaver. After tn
] swimmer s takes off the suit I'm tn
Water, of course) she taste M : y
IS So ~ as Wrightsville and Car I'M
beaches set the stage 1or l94o 0 ~
lovers, look them over I'll
: a Girl is back