Life at the beach and Cliff House in early 20th century San Francisco

[donroc]

http://www.cliffhouseproject.com/environs/oceanbeach/ocean_beach.htm

[Phidippides]

Some of those early photos make me wonder how much a person can enjoy the beach while wrapped up in a constrictive suit or dress.

[skiguy]

Probably dressed like that because they didn't have PX90 back then.

[Phidippides]

Probably dressed like that because they didn't have PX90 back then.

Or P90X for that matter. 

[skiguy]

whatever.

[Aetheling]

The reason is obvious : the modern bikini was introduced by French engineer Louis Réard and fashion designer Jacques Heim in Paris in 1946 only.   

Just a lil bit later on the opposite side of the ocean tho:
"The bathing beauty queen...blond Bebe Shopp, 18, of Hopkins, Minn...got an enthusiastic welcome in Paris, but she said she hasn't changed her mind about French swim suits. ... 'I don't approve of Bikini suits for American girls,' Bebe told her French interviewers. 'The French girls can wear them if they want to, but I still don't approve of them on American girls." Los Angeles Times 1949.

[donroc]

In San Francisco it is the weather. Was it Twain who said the coldest winter he ever spent was in San Francico during the summer? He was not kidding. I grew up in the city.