Speedo’s oh-so-racy 1928 swimsuit makes a new splash
IT PROMPTED moral outrage when it was first unveiled in 1928 and was banned on many beaches for being too revealing.
The Racerback swimsuit for men came on to the market at a time when swimwear was made from wool and had sleeves to protect the wearer’s modesty.
The swimsuit was significantly more tight-fighting than other costumes of the time and made of cotton or silk, which absorbed less water, allowing greater ease of movement. It gradually became an essential piece of kit and its rise to prominence cemented the reputation of the Speedo brand.
Only one known example of the revolutionary design remains in a UK collection and it is to go on display at the new V&A museum in Dundee.
The costume, has been loaned to the gallery, which is due to open on Sept 15, by the Leicestershire County Council Museums Service, which snapped it up when it came up for sale at a local vintage shop.
Despite initial reservations, the design, which was comparatively sleek and lightweight, became a favourite with athletes and was worn by competitors at both the 1928 and 1932 Olympics.
Arne Borg, a Swedish swimmer who won five Olympic medals and broke 32 world records, was one of those who embraced the daring new design and he featured in several Speedo advertisements.
It was also marketed to surfers and sunbathers, with a Speedo catalogue describing the Racerback as giving “maximum body exposure” for those in search of a tan.
The controversial costume became key to the success of the Australian company, founded by Alexander Macrae, a Scottish expat who founded the firm in Sydney in 1910.