Dressing for Leisure
How Swimsuits Shaped Popular Culture from Bloomers to Bikinis
Jo Coghlan, Lisa J. HackettThe history of swimwear and its surprising social influence
From the suffocating modesty of bloomers to the bold minimalism of the bikini, Dressing for Leisure dives into the fascinating story of swimwear and its place at the heart of modern culture. Tracing more than a century of changing styles, it explains how swimsuits have not only followed fashion but reshaped ideas about the body, freedom, sexuality and identity. Moving through Hollywood glamour, beach culture, competitive sport and celebrity influence, Jo Coghlan and Lisa J. Hackett bring to life the moments when swimwear sparked outrage, set trends and defined generations. Stylish, accessible and thought-provoking, the book reveals how a simple garment sits at the centre of debates about gender, race, beauty and modern life.
Introduction: The Swimsuit as a History of Power and Pleasure
One: From Medieval Waters to Victorian Shores
Two: Swimsuits and Cultural Anxiety, 1900–1950
Three: Swimsuits and Early Screen Spectacles
Four: Swimsuits: From the Atomic Age to Instagram
Five: Swimsuits and Sporting Identity
Six: The Swimsuit as Popular Culture Icon
Seven: Swimsuit Futures
References
Photo Acknowledgements
Index
Jo Coghlan (Author)
Jo Coghlan is a political sociologist at the University of New England, New South Wales. She is the co-author of Breaking Television: How Breaking Bad Redefined Morality, Genre and the Antihero (2026).
Lisa J. Hackett (Author)
Lisa J. Hackett is a cultural historian at the University of New England, New South Wales. With Jo Coghlan, she is co-author of The British Royals in Popular Culture (2025) and co-editor of the two-volume The Barbie Phenomenon (2025–6).