The Swimsuit Issue - 1917

[Warbaby]

With summer just around the corner, I thought the Lounge Ladies might enjoy these photos. This may be the first example of a "Swimsuit Issue".

 

[ShoreRoadLady]

Fun! Thanks for sharing. The girl in the striped swimsuit certainly isn't afraid of that lobster, is she?

 

[Mojito]

Absolutely love it - I can even make out a reference to Annette Kellermann in the text!

 

[Foofoogal]

I bet all their moms were horrified.:eusa_doh:

 

[imoldfashioned]

So great--I've never seen William S. Hart in a bathing suit before! I love the captions like "Clara Williams, reclining, ..." Quite a lot of stripes in these bathing costumes and I love the hats.

 

[Magpie Annie]

oh my my I am in love with their hat/caps!!! i need one! I want to wear a swimsuit and cap everyday! vivre l'été!

 

[Real Swell Gal]

WOW! Just like Sports Illustrated!
That's a trip.

 

[gluegungeisha]

These are lovely! I need a swim cap too, haha.

 

[Warbaby]

If anyone is interested I'll take some better, larger photos of the individual pages so you can see the details and read the copy.

 

[Mojito]

Warbaby, I'd absolutely love a close up of the Marie Prevost shot - poor girl, she looks stunning. She's wearing a pretty daring suit for 1917! I had no idea that they were that brief in America in that era (some in France were along those lines). I'm assuming it was photographed in California where there was more lattitude. On the East Coast, the battle over swimsuit lengths reached a peak in the early 20s - there was a fascinating chapter on it in "Flappers: Posing a Threat". Inspectors patrolled some of the beaches measuring the lengths of the costumes and seamstresses even conducted on-the-spot alterations to lengthen outfits like Marie has on.

 

[Lauren]

I LOVE IT!!!! I want a swimsuit like those! Love the late teens look, and I'd certainly be interested in larger photos as well

 

[RetroModelSari]

Awwww..... so cute pics!!!!

 

[Naama]

Must be horrible to have to go swiming with stockings on!



Naama

 

[LadyStardust]

Thank you so much for sharing these!!!! They can't have been too comfortable, but I just adore these styles, and wouldn't mind owning 1,2..or 10 of my own.

 

[Adele]

I want the one on page 76 (where the gal is catching the ball) and the one on page 77, with the gal on the waterskis.

If only...

 

[Warbaby]

Finally got a chance to re-shoot those pages so they're readable and the photos are clearer (had to wait for the sun to make an appearance here on Cloud Island). The original pages were poorly printed on cheap paper so I've tweaked the pix to make them as good as possible.

 

[miss_elise]

awesome... i love the captions...

 

[Mojito]

Even better in close up - love the tone of the article. I missed Olive Thomas the first time around - two tragic figures at least in that photo spread, Thomas and Prevost.