Men's black woollen Morley swimming trunks
Maker
Morley
Date1930s
Object number00028084
NameSwimsuit
MediumWool, cloth
DimensionsOverall: 410 x 385 x 40 mm, 0.2 kg
Clothing size: 38
Clothing size: 38
ClassificationsClothing and personal items
Credit LineANMM Collection
DescriptionThese swimming trunks follow the late 1930s fashion for men's swimwear that was topless and high waisted. Made in Australia by Morley, the waffle-weave knitted wool design features a half skirt and leg line on the upper thigh for modesty. The black swimsuit also has six belt loops around the waist and would have originally had a belt. The Morley trade logo, a woman in a red maillot holding a beach ball, has been machine sewn onto the bottom of the trunks.
HistoryMen's swimwear followed men's fashions in the late 1930s. Form-fitting trunks with strategically placed seams and panels followed the trend for swimwear that was functional, sleek and streamlined. Belts and buckles were also often included in the design, primarily as a way of differentiating men's and boy's swimwear from undergarments.SignificanceThe trunks are a rare, representative example of beachwear trends from this period.
