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Atlantic City, New Jersey 7 September 1921 LM21C5 Costume Bathing dresses with hose. Maillot skirted with hose. Maillot skirted pantaloon with hose. Sleeveless. Banners. Belts and sashes. Hats. Shoes. T. TL. Miss Gorman bares her knees and Miss Pittsburge bares her knees and thighs. Actions Finalists line up at the first Miss America contest. From left to right: Miss New York, Miss Pittsburgh, the winner Margaret Gorman (third from the left), Miss Camden, Miss New York City, Miss Ocean City, Miss Harrisburg, Miss Atlantic City, Miss Philadelphia (1). A another view crops out one of the contestants but provides clearer details on the banners (2). Commentary It is uncertain that the "one-piece suits caused gasps," as Robin and Angell report, given that Hollywood stars and pinups had been baring leg since the late 1910s. But still, this is an in-the-flesh event, not celluloid cinema, and there is a different there. If everyone is baring leg then most of these contestants would not be wearing hose. And the winner is Miss Washington, Margaret Gorman, who rolls her stockings down to show just knees (MG2110), but doesn't bare all her leg (like the more vulgar Miss New York). Source Public domain. Sources include: Toni Robin and Roger Angell, "That Loveable Garment, The Bathing Suit," possibly Life, 1948. Purchased flea market, Syracuse, NY, 2003. Internet, 2009. The date for this 2 pictures. |
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