Beauties at the Bath

At the beginning of the eighteenth century, women were allowed to enter the water, though not completely, only while wearing long, loose garments designed to conceal the shape of the body even when wet. These were linen garments with a second hem specially weighted with lead to prevent them from floating up and revealing parts of the body. In the nineteenth century, as bathing and water activities for social and recreational purposes became increasingly popular, clothing became slightly more form-fitting, while remaining very modest and covering, always accompanied by heavy wool or cotton stockings. The twentieth century, marked by technological progress and greater liberal openness, brought a turning point with the introduction of swimming as a competitive sport for women, leading to the creation of lighter and more efficient designs.


NP June/July 2025
Elisa D’Adamo