Australian Dress Register

This navy silk swimming costume was worn by Wilhemina (Mina) Wylie. One of the earliest Australian female swimmers to compete at an international level, notably winning a Silver Medal at the 1912 Stockhholm Olympic Games (100m Freestyle) in addition to winning 115 State and National Swimming Titles and holding world records in freestyle, breaststroke and backstroke. Though often overshadowed by fellow swimmer Fanny Durack, Wylie was nevertheless a successful sportswoman in her own right. Wylie and Durack's representation of Australia at the Olympic Games is also evidence of the growing acceptance of women in competitive sports in the early 20th century. Despite intial objections against the two women swmimming in mixed-envrinoments (male and female spectators), public outcry and a successful fundraising campaign convinced the NSW Amateur Swimming Association to reverse its initial policy.

The garment itself is historically signficant because of its construction and design; a one-piece costume made from a lightweight silk, it has no sleeves, with the legs extending only to the mid-thigh. In contrast, the majority of swimsuits (c. 1910) were constructed from heavy woven woollen fabrics, were knee-length with full skirts, sleeves and worn with stockings, bathing shoes and caps to cover the wearer's hair. Such cumbersome designs in the cause of preserving modesty made swimming difficult for many women, competitive swimming impossible. Though design of Wylie's swimsuit was accepted among the atheletic swimming community, it would be another decade before these design innovations permeated down to leisure swimmers.

The provenance of the garment is well-documented - having been purchased by Mina Wylie, it remained in her possession until its donation to the Randwick District Historical Society. This, combined with its considerable age, marks this garment as particularly rare and valuable, which only serves to enhance its historical signficance.

Author: Amy Butterfield, 15 July 2014.

Swimming costume constructed from navy silk. Short legs, no sleeves. Small repairs to the inside of the gusset, rendered in purple fabric. Second tear on the right shoulder.