Women's 1964 Australian Olympic training swimsuit
Maker
Speedo International Ltd
Date1964
Object number00019037
NameSwimsuit
MediumBri-nylon, cotton
DimensionsOverall: 290 x 340 mm, 0.07 kg
Clothing size: 34
Clothing size: 34
ClassificationsClothing and personal items
Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Speedo International Ltd
DescriptionThis 'Jetstream' swimsuit features the 1964 Australian Olympic swimming team training uniform design, and was produced in Australia by Speedo. This paneled suit has an Australian machine embroidered fabric shield, a green gauze gusset and green cotton seams.
1964 was the first year in which the competition suit of the Australian Olympic team incorporated striped fabric. Previously competitors in international competitions had worn costumes in solid colours. In 1964 the training costume for both men and women was made in green.HistoryIn 1955 Speedo introduced nylon into its competitive swimwear designs, and the 1956 Olympics in Melbourne saw the widespread use of the new fabric. The Australian swimming team first wore the Prestige Nylon Tricot fabric at the Rome Olympic Games in 1960.
From 1957 the half skirt was replaced with the quarter skirt, and the introduction of the panel at the front gave more shape to the body and a better fit. By 1972 the Federation Internationale de Natation (FINA) allowed women to swim skirtless, though it was not until the 1976 Montreal Games that the Australian team design followed this trend.
SignificanceThough not actually worn during the Tokyon Olympics, the swimsuit demonstrates the designs and technologies incorporated into Speedo's Olympic uniforms.