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Sun, Sea, and Nostalgia: Vintage Photos of People at the Seaside in the 20th Century

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Many people look forward to spending time at the seaside as summer approaches. It’s a tradition that goes back over a century and has been captured in the following vintage photos. These images show us how people lived at the seaside in the first half of the 20th century. We see women in long skirts and hats, men in suits and ties, and children in their Sunday best. It’s very different from the casual beachwear we wear today. But the photos also show a sense of fun and playfulness. We see people building sandcastles, playing games, and enjoying a day at the beach.

Many of the photos were taken before modern beach culture emerged, and we see people enjoying the sand and sea more naturally. There are no high-rise hotels, no sun loungers, and no crowds. It’s just people enjoying the beauty of the seaside.

So as you pack your bags and head to the beach this summer, remember that you’re part of a long tradition. Look at these vintage photos and appreciate that the seaside has fascinated and delighted generations before us.

#1 A young lady in a light-colored dress posing on a beach on an overcast day.

A young lady in a light-colored dress posing on a beach on an overcast day.

Next to her in the sand, a handbag, a book, and a cloche hat can be seen, 1925

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#2 A company of six posing with a 1926 Studebaker Phaeton on a beach in wintertime, December 9, 1927

A company of six posing with a 1926 Studebaker Phaeton on a beach in wintertime, December 9, 1927

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#3 Three fashionable ladies and a freckled boy in a sailor suit posing at the seaside. In the background, the breach is covered with typical German beach chairs (Strandkörbe), 1928

Three fashionable ladies and a freckled boy in a sailor suit posing at the seaside. In the background, the breach is covered with typical German beach chairs (Strandkörbe), 1928

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#4 Two cheerful ladies posing with a parasol on a wooden pier overlooking the Baltic Sea, 1928

Two cheerful ladies posing with a parasol on a wooden pier overlooking the Baltic Sea, 1928

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#5 A fashionable lady carrying a lace parasol and her daughter, holding a doll in her arm, posing on a seaside boulevard in summertime, 1930s

A fashionable lady carrying a lace parasol and her daughter, holding a doll in her arm, posing on a seaside boulevard in summertime, 1930s

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#6 Two cheerful ladies strolling along the pier at Llandudno, Wales, circa 1930s

Two cheerful ladies strolling along the pier at Llandudno, Wales, circa 1930s

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#7 Two cheerful young ladies posing on a sandy beach, suntan in progress.

Two cheerful young ladies posing on a sandy beach, suntan in progress.

A couple of typical German beach chairs (Strandkörbe) can be seen in the background, 1930s

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#8 A seaside promenade bustling with an elegant crowd on a sunny day.

A seaside promenade bustling with an elegant crowd on a sunny day.

The location is Place Albert in the Belgian seaside resort of Knokke. The hotels in the right of the picture are named "Carlton" and "Grand Hotel Belle Vue", 1932

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#9 A fashionable lady and her daughter posing in front of a distinctive Art déco building in summertime.

A fashionable lady and her daughter posing in front of a distinctive Art déco building in summertime.

An elegant two-tone convertible can be seen parked in the street behind them, 1935

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#10 A group of middle-class holidaymakers posing at the seaside.

A group of middle-class holidaymakers posing at the seaside.

In the centre of the photo, three cheerful teenage girls in summer dresses and their father, wearing a white shirt and a sweater vest, can be seen, 1935

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#11 A stylish couple posing next to an elaborate lamp post at the waterfront, 1935

A stylish couple posing next to an elaborate lamp post at the waterfront, 1935

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#12 Six members of a British middle-class family posing at the seaside, 1935

Six members of a British middle-class family posing at the seaside, 1935

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#13 Two fashionable ladies strolling along a seafront promenade on a sunny summer’s day.

Two fashionable ladies strolling along a seafront promenade on a sunny summer's day.

This wonderful holiday shot was taken on the German North Sea island of Borkum, 1935

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#14 Two ladies and a fellow with a fedora hat posing on the running board of a 1935 Chevrolet Master DeLuxe Sedan in late afternoon sunshine, 1936

Two ladies and a fellow with a fedora hat posing on the running board of a 1935 Chevrolet Master DeLuxe Sedan in late afternoon sunshine, 1936

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#15 A company of four well-to-do ladies posing on a promenade overlooking the sea.

A company of four well-to-do ladies posing on a promenade overlooking the sea.

The words "Maisie, May, Jean, Netta – Douglas Head. August 1937" are handwritten on reverse, August 1937

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#16 A bashful young lady in a two-piece swimsuit posing on a beach.

A bashful young lady in a two-piece swimsuit posing on a beach.

A typical German beach chair (Strandkorb) can be seen behind her, 1938

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#17 A blonde lady posing on a beach in summertime. She is wearing a polka dot top and slacks with sewn-in creases, 1938

A blonde lady posing on a beach in summertime. She is wearing a polka dot top and slacks with sewn-in creases, 1938

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#18 Two cheerful young ladies enjoying a day at the seaside. A typical German beach chair (Strandkorb) can be seen on the right-hand side of the picture, 1938

Two cheerful young ladies enjoying a day at the seaside. A typical German beach chair (Strandkorb) can be seen on the right-hand side of the picture, 1938

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#19 Two cheerful young ladies posing on a landing stage on a blustery summer’s day. The photo was taken on the German North Sea island of Baltrum by a family from the city of Breslau, 1938

Two cheerful young ladies posing on a landing stage on a blustery summer's day. The photo was taken on the German North Sea island of Baltrum by a family from the city of Breslau, 1938

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#20 Two ladies and two children posing on a landing stage. Originally the photograph comes from the city of Breslau, today known by its Polish name of Wroclaw, 1938

Two ladies and two children posing on a landing stage. Originally the photograph comes from the city of Breslau, today known by its Polish name of Wroclaw, 1938

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#21 Three young American women posing on a bench at the seaside. They are dressed in traditional Spanish lace Mantillas, 1941

Three young American women posing on a bench at the seaside. They are dressed in traditional Spanish lace Mantillas, 1941

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#22 A young lady in a so-called Monokini swimsuit posing on the beach. The print is dated “1948” on reverse, 1948

A young lady in a so-called Monokini swimsuit posing on the beach. The print is dated "1948" on reverse, 1948

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#23 A young lady in two-piece swimsuit enjoying a day at the seaside.

A young lady in two-piece swimsuit enjoying a day at the seaside.

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#24 Two young ladies in white swimsuits enjoying a day at the seaside, 1948

Two young ladies in white swimsuits enjoying a day at the seaside, 1948

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#25 A platinum-blonde lady in a one-piece swimsuit posing on a sunny beach.

A platinum-blonde lady in a one-piece swimsuit posing on a sunny beach.

A row of parked cars and storefronts reading "Ocean Front Market" and "Newport Beach Pharmacy" can be seen in the background, 1949

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#26 A blonde girl posing in the seat of a pedal tricycle on a beach in midday sunshine.

A blonde girl posing in the seat of a pedal tricycle on a beach in midday sunshine.

The following words in French are handwritten on reverse "1950 – Plage de Perros-Guirec Bretagne", 1950

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#27 A curly-haired lady dressed in tartan check trousers posing with a 1949 Oldsmobile 88 4-Door Sedan in late afternoon sunshine، 1952

A curly-haired lady dressed in tartan check trousers posing with a 1949 Oldsmobile 88 4-Door Sedan in late afternoon sunshine، 1952

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#28 A mother and her daughter posing with a Renault 4 CV on a beach in bright midday sunshine, April 1952

A mother and her daughter posing with a Renault 4 CV on a beach in bright midday sunshine, April 1952

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#29 A brunette lady in a one-piece swimsuit posing at the seaside, 1955

A brunette lady in a one-piece swimsuit posing at the seaside, 1955

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#30 Three members of a middle-class family posing with a Morris Oxford in bright midday sunshine at the seaside, 1955

Three members of a middle-class family posing with a Morris Oxford in bright midday sunshine at the seaside, 1955

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#31 A brunette lady posing on a beach in mid-day sunshine, 1958

A brunette lady posing on a beach in mid-day sunshine, 1958

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#32 A young lady posing with a Lloyd LP 600 on a sandy beach in summertime, 1958

A young lady posing with a Lloyd LP 600 on a sandy beach in summertime, 1958

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#33 Two fashionable ladies posing in the reeds in summertime, circa 1958

Two fashionable ladies posing in the reeds in summertime, circa 1958

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#34 A blonde lady in a two-piece swimsuit posing on a sunny beach, 1950s

A blonde lady in a two-piece swimsuit posing on a sunny beach, 1950s

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#35 A cheerful blonde lady in a two-piece swimsuit posing on a beach in summertime, 1950s

A cheerful blonde lady in a two-piece swimsuit posing on a beach in summertime, 1950s

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#36 A dapper, pipe-smoking fellow posing in the dunes at the seaside, 1950s

A dapper, pipe-smoking fellow posing in the dunes at the seaside, 1950s

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#37 A young brunette lady in a fashionable one-piece swimsuit posing at the seaside, 1950s

A young brunette lady in a fashionable one-piece swimsuit posing at the seaside, 1950s

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#38 Two cheerful ladies posing on a sandy beach on an overcast day, 1950s

Two cheerful ladies posing on a sandy beach on an overcast day, 1950s

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#39 Two young ladies posing on a seaside promenade in the town of Cannes on the French Riviera, 1950s

Two young ladies posing on a seaside promenade in the town of Cannes on the French Riviera, 1950s

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Written by Sarah Johnson

Sarah Johnson is a freelance writer and photographer with a passion for exploring the world. Her writing is both informative and engaging, offering unique perspectives on travel, food, and lifestyle.

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