Men's bathing suit, circa 1920.
Brick Store Museum Collection, 1978.I.47.

The bathing suit you see here is made of heavy wool, with a button closure on the shoulder strap. Can you imagine wearing something that feels like a winter sweater while swimming in the ocean? This was a man's bathing suit and could either be worn as is (see photo below) or with accompanying swim trunks.

This particular "Swim Easy" brand of bathing suits was manufactured by Myers Manufacturing Company of Los Angeles, California. The company had a diverse product line in the 1920s and also made "Nancy Lee" middies, "Forest" outing suits, "Winner" gymnasium suits, Ladies Jersey sport coats, and men's and boys' jerseys.

The Eureka Baths at Kennebunk Beach in the early 1900s advertised services to rinse and dry bathing attire, since quick-drying material did not yet exist.

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Left: Beach bathers in Kennebunk in 1907, Brick Store Museum Collection, 1997.24.16.

Right: Kennebunk brothers Frank and Hartley Lord at the beach, Private Collection.