Men's Jantzen swimming trunks

Maker Jantzen (American, founded 1910)

Date1930s

Object number00044912

NameSwimsuit

Mediumwool, cotton

DimensionsOverall: 370 x 290 mm, 150 g

ClassificationsClothing and personal items

Credit LineANMM Collection

Terms

DescriptionThese navy blue ribbed wool Jantzen swimming trunks follow the late 1930s trend for men's swimwear that was topless and high waisted. The design includes a half skirt for modesty and double white cotton cord stripes down each leg. The adjustable machine woven cotton belt has a press studded coin purse and a 'rustless' metal buck embossed with the Jantzen logo.HistoryDespite a move towards topless suits for men throughout the 1930s in Australia and the United States, government regulations still held firm to the one piece swimsuit. In 1935 the New South Wales Minister for Local Government, Hon. E.S. Spooner, stipulated that men's swimsuits must have legs that covered at least three inches of the thigh and covered the front body up to the armpits and the back body up to the waist. This sparked the development of convertible styles that permitted the top to be removed. Belts and buckles were also often included in the design, primarily as a way of differentiating men's swimwear from undergarments.SignificanceThese swimming trunks are a rare example of men's beachwear trends from this period.