Victorian Bathing Costume

I was recently asked to model for the Gaslight Gathering's Steampunk calender for their upcoming convention. The theme is 19th century bathing costumes, since I have one in my antique traveling museum collection I was happy to oblige.  Photos are by photographer John Thomas Grant taken at the beach in Rockport, MA.

I have several antique ladies magazines in my collection and came across this sweet poem in the Metropolitan Magazine circa 1900 which is fitting...

When Edith Goes To Swim

A calm comes over the rolling surf,
The beating gulls cease to skim,
And the serpents rise with curious eyes
When Edith goes to swim.

A hush comes over the noisy beach,
They flock to the ocean's rim,
And they linger there in the bracing air,
When Edith goes to swim.

When Edith goes to swim my head
Goes swimming as never before,
I envy the sand, and the ocean's grand,
And the sky and shell strewn shore.

her suit is so scant, and it fits so well,
Her figure both plump and trim,
There's more to be said but I lose my head,
When Edith goes to swim.

Victoriana Lady Lisa- Bringing history to life since 2003

To book a program please contact me - Victorianaladylisa@gmail.com

 References available upon request