Woman's Jantzen swimming cap

Maker Jantzen (American, founded 1910)

Date1950s

Object number00005791

NameSwimming Cap

MediumRubber

DimensionsOverall: 130 x 170 x 170 mm, 0.05 kg

ClassificationsClothing and personal items

Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Val and Jack Britten

Terms

DescriptionMade by Jantzen in England, this rubber swimming cap is elaborately embossed in the fashion of the 1950s. The design was based on leather aviators' helmets from the 1920s, and was called the 'Diving Belle' after the Jantzen diving girl logo visible above the press stud. This cap no longer retains its original chin strap. HistorySwimming caps were worn by women to accessorise their swimwear and protect hair from damage by the sun, wind and water. Sleek bathing caps also protected permanent wave hairstyles popular during the 1950s. Swimming caps were primarily made of rubberised fabric by the mid 20th century. The earliest chin strap caps were known as 'aviator's style', resembling the strapped leather helmets worn by flyers from the 1920s. Though the 1940s saw swimming caps become scarce as rubber was needed for war materials, by the 1950s decorated caps had come into vogue. SignificanceThe cap is representative of Australian beach fashions in the 1950s. Bought in Brisbane in 1956 by Val Britten (nee Patricia Fisher), the cap was worn for swimming in New South Wales at Casino Municipal Pool, Evans Head and Lennox Head.