Splash!

The Vogue woman has always been active; not an observer, but a doer—and sometimes a sportswoman as well. Long before professional female athletes, such as Marion Jones, became cover stars, bicyclists, ice skaters, equestriennes, and—as early as the 1890s—swimmers have fronted the magazine’s issues. (Bather might be a better description of the well-covered lady on the July 27, 1899, edition braving the cold waters, but let’s just run with swimmer.)

In the following decade, many images have a sort of posh, private-pool air, and the models look rather polished (it’s difficult to imagine these dames getting their coifs wet).

As an interest in exercise grew, so did the presentation of healthy women’s bodies—pillars of strength, as it were.

Though often skimpy, suits are increasingly made in tech fabrics that optimize performance without sacrificing chic. Less, as it’s said, is often more.