Before the Bikini: Rare Vintage Beach Photos

As temperatures creep upward this spring season, thoughts of summer are on everyone's mind. As illustrated by the images above, a trip to the beach has been a standard summer family activity since the turn of the century and over time the fashions associated with seaside activities have evolved.

Beach vacations started as early as the late 1800s after railroads became a viable source of transportation, according to Victoriana Magazine. Swimwear consisted of fully covered gowns and bloomers that revealed very little. Although the sun’s harmful UV rays were an unknown danger at the time, this conservative beachwear would have provided a good deal of protection.
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