Bathing suit 1895 - 1905

This bathing suit was produced by Wanamaker’s, and is now housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The suit’s dark color and sailor-like detailing, particularly the white stripes, evoke the sea, adventure, and perhaps even military discipline. The white stripes against the dark fabric remind us of similar patterns found on naval uniforms across different cultures. The stripes’ historical association with rank and order reflect a collective desire for structure and control, even in the seemingly free environment of the sea. We see echoes of this in ancient Greek pottery, where the sea is depicted with rigid, wave-like patterns, symbolizing both its power and the human attempt to tame it. Such patterns resurface in unexpected places, revealing a deeply embedded cultural memory. Just as the sea is both a source of life and a threat, this bathing suit captures a moment in time where fashion and cultural symbolism converge, engaging the wearer in a powerful, subconscious dialogue.