15. Annette Kellerman Shook Up Society’s Idea of Women’s Bathing Suits
Annette Kellerman was a competitive swimmer, and was arrested in 1907 for wearing an indecent swimsuit to the beach. Looking back, Kellerman’s swimsuit design was still very modest, but it was form-fitting so that she could actually swim. Her arrest and photos of her bathing suit sparked controversy throughout the United States, and people began to question how much women needed to cover up on the beach.
In the 1920’s, Annette Kellerman already made a name for herself, and she entered the Bather’s Review swimsuit contest with her tight-fitting suit. This was seen as being a triumphant win for women’s right to wear bathing suits where they could enjoy themselves on the beach.
