Casgliadau Arlein

Woman's black knitted woollen bathing costume. Manufactured by Bukta, about 1940. Worn by Mrs Hilda Heycock of Port Talbot.

Constructed in six sections: a front and back with seams at the sides and a hem along the bottom; two shoulder straps and two sections joined at the gusset and attached to the inside waist front and back, forming a pair of concealed knickers for support and modesty. The shoulder straps come together in the centre of the back to form a v-shape. There is an embroidered motif sewn to the front side, close to the hem on the left it features a woman in a red bathing suit riding a flying fish. On the inside of the back panel is an embroidered label (white thread on black fabric), inscribed: ‘Bukta REGD SUNTONE ALL WOOL MADE IN ENGLAND’. It also features the same flying fish motif as the one on the front but in black and white. All sewing is done by machine, all over-locked apart form the motif which is sewn on by zig-zag stitch and the label which is sewn with running stitch.