A man’s woollen bathing costume worn on the Isle of Man

This garment belonged to Mr R.H.Corrin who as a young man would have worn it on summer outings to the beach, most likely at Douglas. Made of red wool, with a button-up front, when worn the garment would have covered the wearer’s body from the shoulders to just above the knees. Douglas between 1890 and the 1930s was the equivalent of today’s Costa del Sol. Each summer crowds flocked to the Island for a week’s sand, sun and enjoyment. Bathing in the sea was considered a healthy and invigorating pastime. Even though Douglas beach was thronged with people, respectability was very much the order of the day, with beach huts and woollen bathing costumes protecting the modesty of both male and female bathers. Indeed, in some areas male and female bathers were segregated.