Bathing suit
The natural drape of a McCardell could pass, as in this example, through the legs, especially in swimwear and when emulating the style of non-Western untailored clothing that gyrates around the body. Many different body types could be accommodated and even flattered by the interplay of fabric contingent on the body and the whirling fullness of drapery. Here, Howard Chandler Christy's graphic all-American girl as Liberty in World War I posters has been inventively transformed. With its simply wrapped and flowing drapery, this playsuit is a World War II rendering of Neoclassical wet drapery. McCardell's summer ginghams of the 1940s are distinct Americana.
Artwork Details
- Title: Bathing suit
- Designer: Claire McCardell (American, 1905–1958)
- Manufacturer: Townley Frocks (American, 1929–1938; 1940–ca. 1968)
- Date: 1943
- Culture: American
- Medium: cotton
- Credit Line: Gift of Claire McCardell, 1945
- Object Number: C.I.45.71.4
- Curatorial Department: The Costume Institute
More Artwork
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Related Content
Timeline of Art History
Entries from The Met's art encyclopedia.
Publications
Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.
Free to download
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.