
Mid to late 1920s swimwear
1920s Men’s One Piece Swimsuits
In many ways, men’s and women’s 1920s swimsuits were nearly identical. A deep cut ribbed wool tank top over a snug fitting pair of shorts that were sewn in at the waistline. The “skirt” of the swimtop came from knee-length a few years before to mid-thigh level. It was “too much” to raise the top any further, revealing men’s personal parts. Instead, more suit material was removed from under the arms and around the back- supposedly making it easier to swim but mostly to reveal more muscles.

1922- Men and Women at the beach
Men’s were made of wool or ribbed cotton in very bright colors — red, purple, yellow, pale blue, navy blue, brown, and the very popular orange. White, black, or colored stripes outlining the edges and skirt were equally common on the one peice “California style” swimsuit.
- 1920 striped grey swimsuits
- 1925 navy and white swimsuit
1920s Men’s Two Piece Swimsuits
The two piece swimsuit went mainstream around 1924. It consisted of a ribbed wool onesis (unitard) that buttoned at the crotch paired with separate shorts. The onesis top had a scoop neck in plain white or grey but could be striped or solid colors too (red, grey, blue, orange).

1926 one and two peice swimsuits
The swim shorts went down to the mid thigh, with a flat front and sometimes white stripes on the sides. The shorts could also have a button fly with a looser fit, similar to men’s pants, or they could be pull on ribbed shorts with no fly. Fly front shorts were often wool flannel instead of worsted wool, but both were options.
A white webbed belt with silver metal military buckle secured the shorts to the waist.
- 1922 men’s lifeguard swimsuit of flannel shorts and white top
- 1924 stripe top two piece swimsuits
- 1925 one and two peice swimsuits with flannel shorts
- 1928 two piece pullon swimsuits

Miss Fisher series at the beach in two piece swimsuits
1920s Speed Suit
In 1929 a new one peice suit emerged called the “Speed suit.” It was designed for college athletes but the public quickly adopted the new, more reveling suit. The top now had cutouts under the arms and most of the back removed. The new back was called a “crab back” for its criss-cross pattern. The Speed top found its way onto two piece swimsuits as well. This style is what would dominate in the 1930s.
- 1929 speed suit
- 1929 striped top with pull-on knit shorts
- Late 1920s men’s swimsuit
- Vintage late 20s mens swimsuit (it is wool and it is itchy)

1929 men’s Speed suit with shorts
Men’s Swim Shoes
Initially men protected their feet from hot sand with canvas lace up beach boots or shoes with rubber soles. Men would also wear thin white or black socks and sometimes thick golf socks with them.

1923 men’s canvas beach boot with rubber sole
For most of the 1920s the all rubber pull on swim shoe was the better beach shoes that could also be swum in. Red, blue and green, made these shoes stand out on the beach.

1926 all rubber swim shoes
Swim caps for men were Aviator style with a tight rubber cap that covered the ears and a chin strap. The Submariner style cap had ear muff shaped rubber coverings that were more comfortable to wear. Rubber could be a natural color but bright colors such as red, green, white or navy blue matched rubber beach shoes. Can you image how colorful swimwear was in the 1920s?
- 1927 Aviator swim cap
- 1927 Submarine bathing cap
Swimsuits – Make Your Own
Making a men’s 1920s swimsuit isn’t too difficult- Find an extra long cotton ribbed tank top and a pair of biking shorts. Add stripes and edging using binding tape or buy a “ringer tank top” with contrast edging already attached. You can also paint on stripes (see below). Add a white elastic belt and swim cap, sunglasses and done!
This tutorial shows you how to make a swimsuit from a men’s T-shirt (sewing required).

DIY Swimsuit easy! Start with a long tank top and matching knit shorts and paint on stripes. Add a white belt if you wish. Works for women’s, men’s and kids swimsuits
For men, the above tank plus shorts works well, too. For a mid- to late-1920s style, look at a wrestling singlet also called a bodysuit or unitard. These one piece, snug fitting suits have the same silhouette as ’20s swimwear. You could layer on a pair of belted shorts for a less revealing look.
I would choose cotton or Lycra, if you plan to swim in it. You may also want to order 1 or two sizes up to get a looser, less body building, more vintage look. These suits work well for 1920s strongman costumes too.

Oscar’s wrestling suit doubles as 20s/30s swimsuit
Shop Men’s 1920s Swimsuits
These new suits are ready-made and loosely inspired by 1910s and 1920s swimsuits. 1920s men’s swimsuits patterns are included too so you can sew your own.