I was rummaging around in a drawer the other day, when I found this funny old photograph. Like many images of the time, it comes in postcard format, and Margate is mentioned on the reverse. Judging from the age of my aunt (centre, in a curiously old fashioned bathing suit), the picture was taken in the 1930s. My grandmother (on the left), and a rather matronly looking older lady, are wearing stockings and shoes… on the beach!
Fashion codes and swimwear styles excepted, a trip to the British seaside hasn’t changed that much over the years. Simple seaside pleasures remain much the same. There are still donkey rides, deck chairs, amusement parks, ice cream vendors and buckets and spades.
In fact, retro seaside style has become fashionably cool of late. At Clerkenwell Design Week, I posed in a vintage vermillion striped all-in-one swimsuit at the Camira stand. I only did this to be rewarded with a bar of rock – another traditional seaside treat.
Our nostalgia for the cheeky seaside postcard never seems to wane either... If you’re a fan of classic British holiday fun, you’ll love Fake London’s Wish You Were Here t-shirt from ShopCurious.
Tony Husband’s characterful cartoon captures the essence of the chavish chap enjoying a soaking of sun, sea and suds. Wish you were there?
Do you?
LOVE the tshirt!
ReplyDeleteI'd definitely do that for a stick of rock.
ReplyDeleteI miss the seaside :(
Have since discovered this photograph was taken in 1932. The lady seated on the right is Great Aunt Hetty...
ReplyDeleteWell - all these years I've lived in ignorance of your lovely blog. Three cheers for you I say. Yes three cheers!
ReplyDeleteThanks David, just had a peek at your various blogs - you are a veritable Renaissance man!
ReplyDeleteHa! Kindly over egging the pudding there Susan. I'm envious of your ability to hob-nob in That London; very little opportunity here - David Hockney, Alan Bennett, Russell Har......Oh no.
ReplyDeleteAlways so nice to find old photographs...luv to see the fashion from the decades~
ReplyDeleteMy grandmother was curiously fashionable in her day, Lenore. She would have been in her late 30s when this photo was taken. For the historical record, I'll see if I can find some pictures of her dressed up and looking a little more glam.
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