1947: Creepy Bathing Suit
Tommy Goodwin, well known in golfing circles, here wears the wrap-around handkerchief suit. This probably will not become a broadly accepted type of swim trink, but it does in its way typify the Nassau idea
- Fairchild’s Mens Wear, March 7, 1947
Creepy wasn’t owned and patented by the 1970s, though the 70s definitely must have had the “creepy moustache” trademarked. There were plenty of fashions in eras that were supposed to be considered “the time of the classic and timeless attire” that had its own corner on the “what were you thinking factor. The Speedo may have been the 70s answer to the creepy bathing suit that few really should have a license to wear. The 1940s had the wrap front trunk.
Although the trade publication above doubted that it would catch on, it seemed notable enough to include in a special Southern Resort Wear Issue. It may be an exciting and sought after fashion footnote to collectors, but a sigh of relief to the general public that it didn’t catch fire. In fact, I have never found another reference on the internet or in a book so far for it. I am sure once this is published, I’ll find out that there are 42 books written about it.
Tommy Goodwin was referred to “Suntanned Tommy Goodwin” in a 1949 New York Times article, and perhaps the nom de vis was an explanation of his mental state. Perhaps too much Bahamian sun caused him to have heat stroke and influenced his swimwear decisions in years prior. He had actually spent much of his time in Nassau by then.
So, the next time you look down your nose, thinking the 40s were the epitome of style, manners, and grace, and the 70s was a sleazy time of tacky swimwear and bad hair, remember the wrap front swim trunk.
Until next time,
Looks are Deceiving
Okay ladies, here is a question for you:
What do you think about the dress on the left? How would you describe it? It seems to me to be a very trendy selection for the rest of the summer. The straps are wide enough to not suffer from tacky bra strap syndrome. The vertical stripes are elongating without making a woman look like a retractable awning or an inmate. The colors sort of harken back to tribal designs or the tiki era.
Would you BELIEVE that this is a maternity dress? No way? Yes way! Maternity clothes have definitely come a long way from my mom’s photoprint “seagulls on a sunset” ruched blouse with navy rickrack trim!
Kiki’s Fashions has maternity clothes starting at $9.99. There is an offer of free shipping over $75 (coupon code: freeship). I usually advocate finding historical clothing, but finding authentic maternity clothing in any particular size is usually a big challenge as they were typically handed down and worn to threads. Just ask my aunts who all wore the seagull outfit in the early 70s.
Cookie Baking for Bachelors
Here is an easy recipe to impress your guests. Everyone expects a guy to know how to grill, but baking is a whole other matter.
Peanut Butter Cookies
Ingredients
1 egg
1 cup sugar
1 cup peanut butter
Easter grass or wax paper
1 decorative bowl
1 mixing bowl
1 whisk or spoon
1 measuring cup
Recipe:
Crack Egg and pour contents into a mixing bowl. Throw the eggshells in the trash (VERY IMPORTANT!)
Mix contents of egg and one cup of sugar, stirring it in the bowl.
Add one cup of peanut butter
Stir the ingredients until everything is well mixed in.
Divide batter into 8-12 balls depending on how big you want the cookies to be.
Place them on a cookie sheet in the oven, and bake at 375 degrees*** until you can pick them up with a spatula, but the bottoms are not hard.
Oh – you will want to place them on a cooling rack.
After they are no longer piping hot, but a bunch of easter grass or wadded up wax paper in a decorative bowl (this is to make the bowl volume smaller so it looks like you just made a GIANT bowl of cookies, when you actually didn’t. Place the cookies in the dish and impress everyone with your baking skills.
*** – Wait a minute. Is that right? Maybe it is supposed to be 425 degrees. Or maybe 250. Geez, darned if I remember. Well, intuitively you will know if you are wrong, because you will have cold cookie dough or will need to call the fire department.
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