Guests wear bathing costumes of the 19 century at London party . At a party given by Dr W C Cunnington , the North London authority of the Victorian era , women guests wore bathing costumes of the 19 Century . Some of these dresses date back to before 1850 and are the only one of that period in existence . Photo shows , bathing dreses of the 19 and 20 centuries displayed at the North London party . Left to right , 1867 , 1877 , 1883 , 1886 , 1890 , 1895 , 1910 and 1913 . 12 July 1936