Men's 1968 United States of America Olympic swimming trunks
Maker
Speedo International Ltd
Date1968
Object number00019027
NameSwimsuit
MediumNylon, cotton
DimensionsOverall: 330 x 340 mm, 0.04 kg
Clothing size: 32
Clothing size: 32
ClassificationsClothing and personal items
Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Speedo International Ltd
DescriptionThe design of these swimming trunks was based on the 1968 United States Olympic swimming team uniform, and was produced in Australia by White Stag under license from Speedo. The striped style has a white gauze gusset, blue and white cotton seams and a white nylon cord drawstring waist.
1964 was the first year in which the American team design incorporated panels of different colours, and in 1968 designers used striped fabric. Previously competitors had worn costumes in solid colours.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.
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.
The US Olympic team wore Speedo for the first time in 1964. The 'White Stag' Speedo line was selected on merit by the US Olympic swimming committee for all the 1964 and 1968 US Olympic swimmers and water polo players.SignificanceProduced as a stock item, these trunks demonstrate the influence of Olympic team designs on Speedo's commercial swimwear ranges.