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Asta Westergaard Swimsuit Seduction

Faux beach, Germany
c. 1907 GC0L246BS

Costume
   Brown and white stripe sleeveless, open-armhole maillot pantaloon with belt and shoes.

   TL.

Actions
   It appears Asta is preparing to dive into the water (1). She stands straight (2), and poses with her arms crossed (3). Yes, this is a bathing suit.




Commentary
   Asta Westergaard is a German performer and on this c. 1907 pinup postcard she wears a bathing suit that is very undressed and revealing--baring her arms and legs. She is conspicuously absent a hat. So don't be deceived this is current fashion, this is a cabaret artiste who wears strapless dresses and shots bare nipple poses.
   Other examples also exist from this period, including an unknown lass who is doffing her shoes (VG1L30_573). That said, this costume is indicative of what is happening in swimsuit fashion ten years later in the late 1910s, as the maillot is reduced to an efficient swimming costume and attention is directed toward the foot--here with shoe but with the socks conspicuously absent!

Source
   "Asta Westergaard," color postcards, Ser. 246, GG Co. [G. G. Co.], Germany. Inverse contains mark "APCC" and the word postcard in seven languages. Date is estimation. Purchased flea market, Ohio, 1994; a image from the same series located on the Internet, 2006. 3 pictures.
GC0L24602_PC1L2010.JPG GC0L24603.JPG GC0L24606.JPG