A to Z of Tauranga Museum: B is for Bathing Suits

 

Image courtesy of Tauranga Museum, Robert Gale Collection, 0005/20/539

As the Bay of Plenty summer continues to be hot and locals and visitors alike flock to the coast, it’s hard to miss how deeply beach culture is woven into our identity. From sun-soaked days on Mount Maunganui beaches to the salty breeze off Te Awanui, these experiences have shaped our city’s character for generations. The Tauranga Museum holds a treasure trove of artifacts that tell this story.

Gifted by Tauranga Historical Society, Tauranga Museum, 0230/11

Its collection captures the essence of seaside leisure: beach umbrellas for shade, surf boards for thrill-seekers, picnic baskets for family outings, and even a bottle of Q-tol – the once-popular lotion that soothed sunburn long before we understood the importance of sunscreen.

                                1930s swimsuit, made in England.               Early 1980s Expozay, made in Tauranga.
                                       Tauranga Museum, 0151/16                           Tauranga Museum, 0032/14

But the real stars of the collection might be the bathing suits. With 83 suits spanning more than a century, this collection charts the evolution of beachwear - from modest woollen costumes to sleek Lycra designs. Many of the suits reflect not only innovation in materials and design but also changing attitudes toward fashion and freedom of expression.

For example, the museum holds two Jantzen swimsuits that were manufactured in Wellington by A.J. Coleman Ltd under licence from the American brand.  They were the height of style in their respective decades. During the 1930s and 40s, new fabrics emerged, sleeves vanished, and bold colours became the norm – as seen in a striking bright blue swimsuit:

1930s-1940s Jantzen swimsuit. Tauranga Museum, 0019/00

 Moving forward to the 1970s, and designers were embracing Lycra, a revolutionary fabric that allowed for greater flexibility and comfort. This floral swimsuit illustrates the shift toward vibrant patterns and figure-hugging styles that defined the decade:

1970s Jantzen swimsuit. Tauranga Museum, 0266/11

Function at The Elms

Function at The Elms, Collection of The Elms Foundation

This approximately 10 x 12 inch photograph was found a few years back in a box of loose images and documents at The Elms (Te Papa) in Tauranga, while things were being gathered from various storage areas in preparation for transfer to the Tauranga Heritage Collection storage facility. It is not named or attributed to a particular photographer but the location is immediately recognizable to me — the north lawn at The Elms. There is nothing particularly precious about the item but it has fascinated me for several years and various questions arise in my mind.

Exactly what was the occasion, when was it held and why? Who were these people - almost certainly exclusively women? What were they looking at or buying?

We may never know all these things for certain but I would like to put to you a scenario based on a few facts that I know regarding the residents of the property around that period. Please remember this is my supposition only.

I believe it may have been a garden fete held by my great-great-grandmother Euphemia Ballingal Maxwell and her spinster daughters Edith and Alice. They had lived at the Elms since 1887 and were reportedly keen on using the gardens for such events to raise money for charity. Written and photographic evidence shows that they helped support Dr Barnardo’s homes for orphans back in Great Britain, so it would seem reasonable to suggest that this may have been one of those charity fundraising events.

By the style of the hats seen it would seem to be around 1900-1910, and I would hazard a guess that they are items of hand- and machine-made sewing. I have heard that many and frequent sewing bees were held by the women of the Maxwell family as they were keen and skilled needlewomen.

This raises more questions in my mind today as I write. How were the women attending known to my relatives, was it through the church they attended? Or was it advertised in the Bay of Plenty Times? Was the kind person who erected the tent-like structure for shade a paid gardener, or the husband of one to the “committee”?

The possibilities are endless. I even imagine I can identify my great-great-grandmother sitting under the tree to the left of the crowd, chatting to one of her peers.

Elva's Wedding Dress

Image courtesy of Brain Watkins House Collection. Ref. 2005-0093

A bride for the first and only time at age of 72 Elva Brain chose for the occasion a silk crepe and lace dress that she had worn as a much younger woman.

Image courtesy of Brain Watkins House Collection. Ref. 2004-0550

These images of her wearing it are obviously in different decades and demonstrate her frugality in 1964 when she married long time family friend Willie Watkins.

Image courtesy of Sun Media Ltd.

The dress is still in very good condition and part of the Brain Watkins collection. Here you can see it laid across the bed in the master bedroom on display for the recent wedding display for the  Tauranga Historical Society’s annual fundraising Garden Party.

Vintage Garden Party 2020

Tauranga Historical Society’s 2020 Vintage Garden Party was abuzz with one of the largest crowds seen at the Brain Watkins House in the 40-plus years the Garden Party has been going. A colourful gathering of more than 200 people enjoyed the music, stalls, food and fashion. Many visitors took the opportunity to dress up in period costume, which was much appreciated by the Society.

Society member Bev Hodges, who ran the ‘Gangster Mug Shot’ booth, takes the photograph of two visitors who dressed up for the occasion
Image: Fiona Kean, private collection

The crowd gathers for the fashion show that took place on the back lawn of the Brain Watkins House
Image: Fiona Kean, private collection

The fashion show, coordinated by Amy Turner, was a real highlight of the afternoon and featured vintage wedding dresses from the '40s, '50s, '60s, '70s, '80s and 2000s. Many of the gowns' owners were present to see their dresses modelled and this was a lovely feature of the show.

Emily wearing a 1983 belonging to Carole Signal
Image: Lee Switzer, private collection

Glorious colours in this 2011 wedding gown worn by the bride Pushpinder
Image: Lee Switzer, private collection

Wedding dresses were also sprinkled throughout the Brain Watkins House and included a display celebrating the wedding photography of Alf Rendell. The display was a collaboration between the Tauranga Historical Society and the Tauranga Heritage Collection and featured Barbara Murray’s beautiful gown which she wore in 1955.

Barbara Murray in front of display boards that captured her 1955 Tauranga wedding. Barbara’s wedding dress and items from her going away outfit were also on display in the Brain Watkins House
Image: Lee Switzer, private collection

The Society would like to thank everyone who supported the event, from Society members who gave their time and talents to the public who attended in record numbers. Funds raised will go towards the care of the Brain Watkins House and the continued protection and promotion of heritage in Tauranga. If you would like to join the Society contact us at tauranga.historical@gmail.com.

A beautiful 1940s wedding dress modelled by Arumia
Image: Lee Switzer, private collection