To the Beach in Butterick Patterns (1930s)

It's January, and here in Australia it's unrelentingly hot.  What better way, then, of kicking off the New Year than by going to the beach.  Luckily for me Butterick produced some patterns for the most up-to-the-minute beachwear—1930s style!

Butterick Fashion News, July 1930 (front cover)

To begin at the beginning of the decade: the July 1930 issue of Butterick Fashion News showed a pattern for a "costume consisting of shirt and shorts for beach wear, tennis, camping or exercise; or shirt and long trousers for beach wear, boating or yachting."  In the 1930s the beach was one of the few public places where women could wear trousers.

Butterick Fashion News, July 1930 (back cover)

On the back of the same issue are two swimsuits.  Pattern no. 3187 (at left) is for a "one-piece swimming suit and separate shorts".  Pattern 6822 (at right) is for a bathing suit "having a slip-over blouse and trunks or shorts."

 

Butterick Fashion Magazine, Summer 1935

"If it's swimming you go in for, get a new bathing suit.  A faded last year's suit will be a blot on a landscape where all the color is clear and bright.  The new suits are made of every sort of material."

Suggestions included rubber (!), a knitted swimsuit and, of course, one sewn from a Butterick pattern.

And from Butterick Fashion Magazine of summer 1935 we have these three patterns: from left to right a button back swimming suit, an outfit of slacks, halter top and "bell-hop" jacket (suitable for sailing) and a halter top and shorts.

  

Butterick Fashion Magazine, Spring 1939

 From Butterick Fashion Magazine from Spring 1939 we have:  

"How to be the only pebble on the beach—a  becoming coat with a corselet belt and huge cape collar... The bra top on the middle figure has little sleeves and ties in front... The shorts have patch pockets and cuffs.