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Thursday, December 14, 2023
Suits optional
Bathing suits were apparantely optional at this 1900 venue.
At most natatoria, bathing suits (at least in the men's area) were actually banned because they clogged up the pipes; this continued for over a half-century due to inertia. Women wore a white suit, but again, had their own pools.
Beaches and other places frequented by tourists were different, but in the more rural areas, it was normal (again, males only) to swim nude. In fact, some populists saw swimsuits, underwear, and wearing clothes to bed as "effete" and thus a sign of the "Eastern establishment" corrupting American manhood. (Note that women were still expected to wear these things; it was simply unmanly.)
So, basically, there were some major double standards going on.
Was it true men just naked in the swimming pool even in front of the girls back then? i still wonder why the boys naked and the girls arent, maybe because naked men just a common thing and funny in the end
It was rare for men to swim naked with females present. An exception was in certain Midwestern US communities where boys competed nude at high school swim meets as late as the 1960s.
At most natatoria, bathing suits (at least in the men's area) were actually banned because they clogged up the pipes; this continued for over a half-century due to inertia. Women wore a white suit, but again, had their own pools.
ReplyDeleteBeaches and other places frequented by tourists were different, but in the more rural areas, it was normal (again, males only) to swim nude. In fact, some populists saw swimsuits, underwear, and wearing clothes to bed as "effete" and thus a sign of the "Eastern establishment" corrupting American manhood. (Note that women were still expected to wear these things; it was simply unmanly.)
So, basically, there were some major double standards going on.
Double standard or not, I like the older approach to swimming. Thanks for the information.
DeleteWhen I was young, nobody wore trunks at the Y, or in our high school or college swimming classes. It's probably the only double standard I favour.
ReplyDeleteWe didn't have a high school pool, and for some reason I never used the college pool. Both institutions had large open gang showers , though.
DeleteWas it true men just naked in the swimming pool even in front of the girls back then? i still wonder why the boys naked and the girls arent, maybe because naked men just a common thing and funny in the end
ReplyDeleteIt was rare for men to swim naked with females present. An exception was in certain Midwestern US communities where boys competed nude at high school swim meets as late as the 1960s.
DeleteNide practice, sure, but nide competition?
DeleteYes, it was rare, but happened if both teams agreed.
Delete