World War II brought industry under government control, and swim suits were not a priority. As a result, styles were sort of frozen for a while, and what we see in photos from the time is a hodge podge of pre-war styles and makeshift adaptations. In the above picture we see a 1930s style belted suit along with some box cuts and even what may be a brief in the back row. Below we have another belted item with a pair of boxer styles (undies?) and what looks like shorts with belt loops.
I would hazard a guess that this quartet are military types enjoying a sport of R&R because these look to be ordinary shorts or, yes, underwear. It is interesting to note that until the 1950s, "shorts" per se were not seen as swimwear as they are today. The shorts style was of course first made popular in the post-war rise in puritanism where the sight of a "male contour" was enough to have every moralizing prelate, priest and preacher palpitate and grab his pearls in outrage.
ReplyDeleteIt was such a relief when men finally started buying clothes that in some cases were actually designed to show off bulges.
DeleteYes, indeed. Not for the first time. Georgian styles were notorious for it. I remember my English teacher - who was also the school's ordained chaplain - used to treat us to hilarious sentences demonstrating poor syntax, to wit: "He stood there, a proud example of English manhood in his white, flannel trousers."
DeleteInteresting that you indicate outrage by the clergy. The high school I went to put an end to boys' swimming naked because the MOTHERS raised a fuss. Several clergymen swam naked at the YMCA without comment.Trunks were only required after females were admitted. And before that, "Father-Son swims were naked at both the high school and the Y. I never heard any priest, rabbi, or protestant clergyman speak against it.
DeleteThe American Public Health Association only started endorsing swimsuits for males in the early 60s. The Congressional gym's swimming pool was nude until the 70s, which caused quite a fuss.
DeleteSo it was more women's lib than general prudishness in some places.
I can only think of a very few congressmen I'd like to see naked.
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