Miami Beach, 1914
By: usermattw
Tags: Miami Beach, photography, swimwear, vintage photography
What it is:
Photo measuring a bit more than 4 x 2.25 inches.
What I know about it:
Written on the back is: Suzanna + Florence Wood at Miami Beach in 1914 rented suits at the swimming pool.
Comments:
I’ve rented everything from bowling shoes and ice skates to tuxedos, and yet I’m startled by the idea of renting a bathing suit. Still, they seem happy.
Pics of Then 
this is wonderful. i’ll say this here, but i think it every single time you post one of these old photographs: thank you for sharing. it almost feels like being involved in some kind of time travel…
alessandro
Thank you, Alessandro, what a nice thing to say! It means a lot to me to hear that you are enjoying the blog so much.
Buster Keaton’s “The Cameraman” (1928) has an example of what can go wrong (and right) when renting a bathing suit.
http://tinyurl.com/6vzbllu
Still, I thought it was fascinating that he and Marcelline Day could just drop into a swimming pool for their first date, as they do in the movie. I wish it was possible to spontaneously visit a swimming pool now. I bet Suzanna and Florence were glad they were able to take advantage of the water, and those suits are pretty cute!
Ha, great picture. I love Keaton. And not only are the suits here cute, but they are matching!
I saw an interesting full-length documentary about the Sutro Baths not too long ago, and a portion of the film was devoted to the swimming suits, which were indeed available for rental, and made of really scratchy wool. Imagine trying to swim while covered in wool! Ack! The people they interviewed had mostly been pre-teens at the time of the suit rentals.
Hi Jenn! That sounds like an interesting documentary. I agree about vintage bathing suits. I think they look nice, but I’d hate to have had to wear them.