ABBREVIATES BATHING COSTUMES

Evening Star, Issue 19765, 16 January 1928, Page 5

ABBREVIATES BATHING COSTUMES

““ AEiE SEIM&3 LESS MODEST? [Special to the ' Star.’] CHIHSTCIIULICH, January 14. Are our seaside bathers less modest Ilian they used to be, and are tJio bathing by-laws at New Brighton so oldlashioued and exacting that no one observes them? The experience this season tends to show that complaints made concerning bathers have been justified. A ‘ Sun ’ reporter who made inquiries to-day found that the preference by women for closc-litting costumes is pronounced to give just cause lor the adverse comment by several persons. Tho reporter was told that some bathers go liovoml tho limit in brevity of attire. Members of the public and surf club officials deprecate the use of abbreviated constumes, and an effort is being made to inculcate a little more modesty and restraint by bathers generally It is quite common for parties to undress in tho sand lulls, thus encouraging the attentions of undesirable people. The practice of bathers walking uncloaked from their homos to the beach has become common. Mr A. W. (Jwles, who is mayor of Now Brighton, and president of the surf dubs at New Brighton and North Beach, said that twenty-four inspectors had been appointed to patrol the beaches. The public had complained to him that tho costumes as worn this season were too short and too tight. Another surf club man was of opinion that women and girls lived up to tho saying that “ it were better to be dead than out of the fashion.” Consequently they looked for the tightest, shortest, nnd most conspicuous costume possible. Many scorned women’s costumes, and wore those of men. The present trend on tho beaches reminded him of the joke about the girl buying a costume. She was told that it was unshringable, and asked: “ Have you any of the other sort? ”