How did pre-Lycra suits fit

[Dooley67]

Originally Posted by shaulis

Dooley67,

Its the unlined swimwear that show off the male form. I think swimwear makers are using lighter weight material that makes it feel thinner. I'm sure the reason why the makers are using the light weight material is monetary.

shaulis,

I'm sure that you're right about that. They say the lightweight material is for a faster swim, but money is the overriding reason.

D67

[sebbie]

I have a Janzen swim brief in an orange-red Flag-like pattern with stars. It dates from about 1972. The material is not Lycra, but a woven material with rubberized threads intermingled like would be used in a jock-strap only finer.

This suit isnt in great shape, but its still together, more or less. I bought a Lycra Speedo about the same time. That one disintegrated many years ago, so this fabric was a lot sturdier.

The tags are still in the suit, recommending machine washing, cold. Unfortunately there is no tag indicating exactly what the material was.

This suit fit quite snug.

Sebbie

[JamesSwim]

Originally Posted by sebbie

I have a Janzen swim brief in an orange-red Flag-like pattern with stars. It dates from about 1972. The material is not Lycra, but a woven material with rubberized threads intermingled like would be used in a jock-strap only finer.

This suit isnt in great shape, but its still together, more or less. I bought a Lycra Speedo about the same time. That one disintegrated many years ago, so this fabric was a lot sturdier.

The tags are still in the suit, recommending machine washing, cold. Unfortunately there is no tag indicating exactly what the material was.

This suit fit quite snug.

Sebbie

I think the fabric you have that is rubbery is lastex.

http://www.glamoursurf.com/articles/...8259/90530.htm

says:
"an elastic core wound around with cotton or silk or nylon or rayon threads"

I wish they still made these suits.

By the way, the site listed above is interesting. Lots of info on old swimwear. It even sells an "open side" suit that was discussed on this site a while back.

http://www.glamoursurf.com/catalog/i...40/9720487.htm

and also look at the ad on this page on Lastex

http://wearinghistoryblog.com/category/lastex/

Talk about high waisted suits! And "quick drying" worsted suits.

[sebbie]

The fabric is falling apart in back, but Lycra wouldn't be here at all in 40 years

Front
http://www.sebringsil.com/sw1.jpg

Rear:


http://www.sebringsil.com/sw2.jpg


Just for comparizon, here is a magenta Thong from Koalaswim.com. This is probably 10-12 years old and in great shape

http://www.sebringsil.com/sw3.jpg

And just for the fun of it, my new Seobean 40 years after the Janzen
http://www.sebringsil.com/sw4.jpg

[JamesSwim]

That's in good condition, considering how many years it's been. I presume the red suit was a darker color originally, but it's amazing how well it has kept up.

[sebbie]

The color has not changed much. Interestingly it was always a bright orange-red

[d_i_f_f_e_r_e_n_t_c]

Long time no post all,
I was digging through some old photos on floppy discs and found 2 blasts from my past that I thought may be of interest. The first was in St.Augustine, I was about 13 or so. I don't know the history of the suit, just that it came from my grandmother's apartment. I don't remember much about it, just that I had it.

The second one I have no idea of the brand, it came from a discount store that cut out the tags. I do remember wearing it to bed at night, and having it for a while before wearing it out completely. I was 14-15 at the time.