Women's blue rubber swimming cap
Date1950s
Object number00006708
NameSwimming Cap
MediumRubber
DimensionsOverall: 188 x 165 x 230 mm, 0.15 kg
ClassificationsClothing and personal items
Credit LineANMM Collection
DescriptionThis blue rubber swimming cap was made in West Germany in the 1950s. It features large blue petalled flowers with white centres, which have been adhered to the surface of the cap with glue. Worn by women to accessorise with their swimsuit, caps also served to protect the permanent wave hairstyles popular during the period.
HistoryHighly decorated swimming caps made of rubberised fabric were in vogue in the 1950s and 60s. Often designed by milliners, caps were brightly coloured, appliquéd with flowers or ribbons and sometimes moulded into unusual shapes.SignificanceThis swimming cap is representative of beach and pool fashions of the 1950s and 1960s.
