Old School Vancouver Summer Fashion

This weekend, the exhibit Babes & Bathers: History of the Swimsuit opens at the Vancouver Maritime Museum. “As a city surrounded by water, going to the beach and owning a swimsuit is an essential part of both our wardrobe and our Vancouver identity. Drawing primarily on the collections of fashion historian Ivan Sayers, the Maritime Museum will display examples of swimwear worn in Vancouver from the 1890s to the 1980s.”

1945: Bathing suit models in Vancouver. Archives# CVA 586-3822.

The Vancouver Maritime Museum is located in Kitsilano — along the water, naturally — and this is just one of many attractions you’ll find within its halls, built around the St. Roch. In honour of “Babes & Bathers”, I have rustled up a collection of old time Vancouver summer fashion photos thanks to the Vancouver Archives:

1942 & 1946: Archives# CVA 1184-2394 & CVA 1184-1236 & CVA 1184-2389. Jack Lindsay Photography.

1946: Archives# CVA 1184-2385 & CVA 1184-2392. Jack Lindsay Photography.

1946: Archives# Port P1195.1 & Port P1195.2. Jack Lindsay Photography.

1946: Archives# CVA 1184-2383 & CVA 1184-2398 & CVA 1184-2391. Jack Lindsay Photography.

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