What did women's bathing suits look like in the 1920s?

In the 1920s, women's swimwear transitioned to knit wool one-piece suits featuring a long tunic top over matching shorts, often styled with a belt, swim cap, and long stockings.

Can I wear this costume to an actual pool?

While modern replicas look like swimwear, they are usually made of costume polyester or cotton and are not ideal for swimming. Stick to dry-land parties and events.

How do I style my hair if it doesn't fit in the cap?

Braid or pin your hair flat against your head in a low bun before putting on the cap, or use bobby pins to secure any loose strands.

AI-generated example

1920s Bathing Suit Costume

Make a splash with a charming, vintage-inspired roaring twenties swim look.

The 1920s bathing suit costume is a delightful throwback to the early days of seaside resort fashion. Perfect for vintage-themed parties or historical events, this look captures the transition from restrictive Victorian swimwear to more active, modern styles. The ensemble typically features a modest, striped knit tunic or romper paired with a matching swim cap and retro canvas shoes.

Difficulty: Easy
Time: ~20 min
Budget: $25–65

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What you need for a 1920s Bathing Suit costume

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Spirit Halloween sells the complete 1920s Bathing Suit costume — one box instead of 6 pieces.

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Striped knit tunic or romper
A blue and white or red and white horizontally striped knit tank top or short-sleeved romper that extends to mid-thigh.
DIY: Wear an oversized striped tank top over matching dark blue or red bike shorts.
Amazon
Dark swim shorts or bloomers
Navy blue, black, or red solid-colored bike shorts or modest knit shorts worn underneath the tunic.
DIY: Use any plain dark athletic compression shorts you already own.
Amazon
White canvas belt
A simple white elastic or canvas web belt with a silver slide buckle worn around the waist.
DIY: Cut a strip of white felt or ribbon and fasten it with a safety pin.
Amazon
Vintage swim cap or bonnet
A tight-fitting fabric swim cap, often decorated with a bow, or a colorful ruched shower cap.
DIY: Tie a colorful bandana or scarf tightly around your head in a cap style.
Amazon
Tall dark socks
Black or dark navy blue knee-high socks to mimic the modest leg coverings of the era.
DIY: Any dark knee-high socks or long athletic socks.
Amazon
Canvas lace-up shoes
Simple white or black canvas lace-up sneakers or espadrilles.
DIY: Use any basic flat canvas slip-ons or sneakers.
Amazon

Rather not assemble it? See ready-made 1920s Bathing Suit costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗

How to put it together

1
Put on the dark bike shorts or bloomers first.
2
Layer the striped knit tunic or romper over the shorts, ensuring it covers down to the mid-thigh.
3
Fasten the white canvas belt snugly around your natural waistline over the tunic.
4
Pull on the tall dark knee-high socks, smoothing them flat against your calves.
5
Lace up your white or black canvas sneakers.
6
Tuck your hair completely into the vintage swim cap or tie on your fabric headscarf.
7
Carry optional props like a striped beach umbrella or a vintage-style life preserver ring.

Makeup & hair

Keep makeup minimal and fresh-faced with a touch of rosy blush and a soft red lip. Tuck all hair completely inside the swim cap, or leave a few faux finger waves peeking out at the temples.

1920s Bathing Suit for couples, groups, kids & more

couples: Pair with a partner wearing a matching men's striped one-piece tank swimsuit with a stick-on handlebar mustache.
group: Gather a group to form a vintage 'bathing beauties' lineup, with everyone wearing different colored striped suits.
kids: A striped cotton romper with a soft fabric sun hat makes an adorable, comfortable kid-friendly version.
Plus size: Opt for a stretchy, A-line striped knit dress over supportive black bike shorts for a comfortable, flattering retro silhouette.
pet: A red and white striped dog t-shirt paired with a tiny matching sailor hat.

Tips

Choose lightweight cotton or knit fabrics to stay cool and comfortable during warm-weather events.
If wearing this outdoors, swap the knee-high socks for bare legs and sunscreen to stay cool.
For photos, pose with hands on hips or holding a vintage parasol to capture the classic postcard aesthetic.
Keep your belongings in a canvas beach tote bag to stay in character while carrying your essentials.

1920s Bathing Suit costume FAQ

What did women's bathing suits look like in the 1920s?: In the 1920s, women's swimwear transitioned to knit wool one-piece suits featuring a long tunic top over matching shorts, often styled with a belt, swim cap, and long stockings.
Can I wear this costume to an actual pool?: While modern replicas look like swimwear, they are usually made of costume polyester or cotton and are not ideal for swimming. Stick to dry-land parties and events.
How do I style my hair if it doesn't fit in the cap?: Braid or pin your hair flat against your head in a low bun before putting on the cap, or use bobby pins to secure any loose strands.

Did you know? In the early 1920s, 'beach censors' actually patrolled public beaches with measuring tape to ensure women's swimsuits did not reveal too much leg above the knee.