In the 1920s, bathing suits were at the forefront of modern women’s fashions. At the turn of the century, women were still wearing multi-layered bathing “costumes,” often with separate skirts covering bloomers. The knit one-piece suit, which clung to the body, was a freeing innovation for some and considered indecent by others. Except for the small skirt covering the hips, the cut was not very different from men’s bathing suits at the time. This suit belonged to Pearl Etta Sutter who was born in 1895 and graduated from the University of Washington in 1916. It was purchased at Seattle department store, The Rhodes Company.