Story: Beach culture

Men at the beach (1st of 3)

Men at the beach

When New Zealanders first started swimming in the sea, they wore bulky clothes that covered them from elbow to neck and to knee. By 1910, men’s costumes were sleeveless and cut off at mid-thigh. However, as required by some by-laws, many male bathers, such as this group, wore trunks over their one-piece costumes.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library, Steffano Webb Collection (PAColl-3061)
Reference: 1/1-009066; G

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page:

Jock Phillips, 'Beach culture - Beach culture', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/20/men-at-the-beach (accessed 20 April 2024)

Story by Jock Phillips, published 12 Jun 2006