Bathing Dresses – 1867

Post-Civil War Swimsuit Patterns and Scarlet Flannel Garment Construction

This original July 1867 monochrome print from Godey’s Lady’s Book volume seventy-five showcases advanced mid-nineteenth-century maritime sportswear engineering. The left figure demonstrates a back view of an athletic dress crafted from scarlet wool flannel, featuring short puffed sleeves, an integrated fabric yoke, and structural plaiting borders bound by white braid trims, perfectly anchored at the waistline with a matching red belt component.

Gilded Age Beach Paletot Coats and Oiled Silk Aquatics Headwear

The secondary illustration depicts a walking posture wearing a long gored paletot outerwear piece accented by bold horizontal stripes, scalloped edge contours, and contrasting black braid piping. Both ocean-side models wear protective oiled silk head covers trimmed with bright ribbons alongside specialized lace-up beach shoes, supplying curators with magnificent archival documentation regarding late-Victorian resort footwear and tactical sports textiles.

Credit: The Claremont Colleges