Men's 1982 Australian Commonwealth Games briefs
Maker
Speedo International Ltd
Designer
Gloria Smythe
Date1982
Object number00019044
NameSwimsuit
MediumNylon, elastane (spandex or Lycra), cotton
DimensionsOverall: 175 x 285 mm, 0.04 kg
Clothing size: 8
Clothing size: 8
ClassificationsClothing and personal items
Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Speedo International Ltd
DescriptionThe design of these racing briefs was based on the suit worn by the 1982 Australian Commonwealth Games swimming team in Brisbane. Made in Australia by Speedo, they have a green gauze gusset, green cotton seams and a white nylon cord draw string waist. The 'Australia' sash design has a gold trim, with the text 'Australia' printed on a white band across the front. In the women's suit, the band crosses the wearer's torso horizontally.
HistoryIn 1955 Speedo introduced nylon into its competitive swimwear range. The 1956 Olympics in Melbourne saw the widespread use of the new fabric, as well as a change in men's swimwear design. 1976 was the first year in which lycra was introduced as part of a blend with Nylon. This allowed a two-way stretch that gave swimmers greater freedom of movement.
At the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games the Federation Internationale de Natation (FINA) allowed men to swim skirtless. At this time trunks were still to the waist with 20cm side seams. The development of Speedo's brief design followed the competition guidelines dictated by FINA. The process of lowering the waist and raising the leg line was a slow, though by 1972 FINA had allowed men to swim in suits with 5 cm side seams.SignificanceProduced as a stock item, these briefs demonstrate the influence of Olympic and Commonwealth Games team designs on Speedo's commercial swimwear ranges. The 'Australia' design, with its higher cut leg line, was available to the public from October 1982.