What did women wear under 1900s bathing suits?

Women wore matching knee-length bloomers or knickers under their bathing dresses, along with dark stockings to maintain modesty.

How do I make a DIY 1900s bathing suit?

You can modify a navy blue short-sleeved dress by sewing white ribbon trim along the collar and hem, then pairing it with navy blue sweatpants cut and elasticated at the knee.

What shoes go best with this costume?

Simple black canvas lace-up shoes, plimsolls, or flat espadrilles mimic the lace-up bathing shoes worn during the Edwardian era.

1900s Bathing Suit

1900s Bathing Suit Costume

Make a splash with authentic Edwardian seaside style.

The 1900s bathing suit costume recreates the modest, charming beachwear of the Edwardian era. Popular for historical events, theatrical plays, and vintage-themed parties, this look captures the transition from Victorian modesty to early 20th-century leisure. The ensemble consists of a structured navy sailor-style dress worn over matching knee-length bloomers, finished with a classic straw hat.

Difficulty: Easy
Time: ~20 min
Budget: $30–75

See yourself as 1900s Bathing Suit →What you need Buy the 1900s Bathing Suit costume

Try it on

See yourself as 1900s Bathing Suit

One clear photo of yourself; we render you in this costume — face untouched, full body, about 20 seconds.

Choose or drop a photo of yourselfJPG · PNG · HEIC

One render, $1. No account needed — if it fails you're not charged. Pricing.

Your photo is sent to Google's Gemini API to make the render and isn't used for training. Renders are AI-generated and labelled.

Want a different costume on this photo, or a whole group in costume? Open the Try-On Studio.

Your photo

Example look · AI-generated

You as 1900s Bathing Suit

Result

What you need for a 1900s Bathing Suit costume

Short on time? Buy it ready-made

Spirit Halloween sells the complete 1900s Bathing Suit costume — one box instead of 5 pieces.

Shop 1900s Bathing Suit at Spirit ↗

Navy sailor dress
A short-sleeved, knee-length navy blue dress featuring a white sailor collar and white trim along the hem.
DIY: Add white ribbon trim to the collar and hem of a plain navy blue short-sleeved dress.
Amazon
Matching navy bloomers
Knee-length navy blue bloomers or knickers with elastic cuffs that cinch just below the knee.
DIY: Cut a pair of navy blue sweatpants or leggings at the calf and sew in simple elastic bands.
Amazon
Straw boater hat
A flat-topped, stiff straw hat decorated with a wide navy blue or black ribbon band.
DIY: Glue a wide navy blue grosgrain ribbon around the crown of a standard flat straw hat.
Amazon
Black stockings
Opaque black knee-high socks or tights to maintain the historical modesty of the era.
DIY: Use any pair of opaque black tights or long black socks you already own.
Amazon
Black canvas shoes
Simple black canvas lace-up plimsolls or flat espadrilles to mimic early bathing shoes.
DIY: Use plain black sneakers or flat lace-up shoes.
Amazon

Rather not assemble it? See ready-made 1900s Bathing Suit costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗

How to put it together

1
Pull on the opaque black knee-high stockings or tights.
2
Step into the navy blue bloomers, securing them comfortably at your waist and adjusting the elastic cuffs to sit just below your knees.
3
Slip on the navy sailor dress over the bloomers, ensuring the white collar lies flat.
4
Lace up your black canvas shoes securely.
5
Place the straw boater hat flat on your head, using bobby pins to keep it in place if needed.

Makeup & hair

Style your hair in a neat, low bun or pin it up completely under the hat to mimic Edwardian hairstyles. Keep makeup minimal and natural with a light touch of rosy blush and neutral lip color.

1900s Bathing Suit for couples, groups, kids & more

couples: Pair with a partner wearing a matching blue-and-white striped Edwardian men's tank-and-shorts bathing suit.
group: Create a vintage beach party group with various early 20th-century swimwear styles, carrying striped parasols and vintage life preserver rings.
kids: A miniature version with a navy sailor tunic and matching shorts works perfectly for children.
Plus size: Look for a loose-fitting A-line navy tunic dress with an elastic-waist band on the bloomers for a comfortable, flexible fit.
pet: A navy blue sailor collar bandana for a dog or cat.

Tips

Use bobby pins to keep the straw hat secure if you are wearing this outdoors in windy weather.
Opt for lightweight cotton or polyester fabrics, as authentic wool bathing suits from the 1900s are hot and itchy.
Carry a vintage-style striped parasol or a canvas beach bag as a fun, thematic prop.

1900s Bathing Suit costume FAQ

What did women wear under 1900s bathing suits?: Women wore matching knee-length bloomers or knickers under their bathing dresses, along with dark stockings to maintain modesty.
How do I make a DIY 1900s bathing suit?: You can modify a navy blue short-sleeved dress by sewing white ribbon trim along the collar and hem, then pairing it with navy blue sweatpants cut and elasticated at the knee.
What shoes go best with this costume?: Simple black canvas lace-up shoes, plimsolls, or flat espadrilles mimic the lace-up bathing shoes worn during the Edwardian era.

Did you know? In the early 1900s, bathing suits were made of heavy wool, which became incredibly heavy and difficult to swim in when wet.