# Need help finding a piece of clothing **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 7, 2007, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-finding-a-piece-of-clothing/418338 "2007-09-07T05:12:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![bouv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bc8723/32.png) [@bouv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bouv)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2007, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-finding-a-piece-of-clothing/418338/1 "2007-09-07T05:12:28Z")
I’ve got a great idea for a Halloween costume this year. I want to be an “old-timey” beach goer. I’m growing out a handlebar mustache, and I plan to dye it and my hair black and part it down the middle, like the Guinness “brilliant” ad guys. To complete this, I obviously need the old-timey swim suit. You know the one I mean. Men’s two-piece circa late 19th early 20th century (I think.) Often depicted in older cartoons as being red and white stripped (which would be what I prefer. Screw authenticity, I’m going for amusement value.) I’ve tried to search online, but my google-fu is weak. It would be a TON of work to try and make it, since I can’t sew, and don’t even know anyone with a sewing machine, besides my mom and aunts, and they don’t have the time or inkling to do this. I figure maybe a costume/theatre shop might be a good place to start? ---
**Author:** ![Flutterby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Flutterby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flutterby)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2007, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-finding-a-piece-of-clothing/418338/2 "2007-09-07T05:39:05Z")
I found [this one](http://www.halloweenexpress.com/bathing-suit-20s-men-adult-costume-p-542.html?sid=NAT613783-sc2661865&lct=s) and [this one](http://cgi.ebay.com/Starsuit-1900era-California-Bather-Swimsuit-Costume-M_W0QQitemZ200149462491QQihZ010QQcategoryZ15690QQcmdZViewItem) ---
**Author:** ![bouv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bc8723/32.png) [@bouv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bouv)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2007, 5:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-finding-a-piece-of-clothing/418338/3 "2007-09-07T05:43:24Z")
[QUOTE=Flutterby] I found [this one](http://www.halloweenexpress.com/bathing-suit-20s-men-adult-costume-p-542.html?sid=NAT613783-sc2661865&lct=s) and [this one](http://cgi.ebay.com/Starsuit-1900era-California-Bather-Swimsuit-Costume-M_W0QQitemZ200149462491QQihZ010QQcategoryZ15690QQcmdZViewItem) [/QUOTE] Man, the guy in the first link (which is pretty much what I was looking for) looks like a jackass. I might have to rethink this idea… ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2007, 12:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-finding-a-piece-of-clothing/418338/4 "2007-09-07T12:21:27Z")
Nooooooooo! Nix the re-thinking! Amuse people! ---
**Author:** ![Avarie537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/48db29/32.png) [@Avarie537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Avarie537)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2007, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-finding-a-piece-of-clothing/418338/5 "2007-09-07T12:36:10Z")
If you’re looking to rent, check out the National Costumers Association website [www.costumers.org](http://www.costumers.org) and use their Shop Finder. They list by state. Or, I can send you one! (For a fee, of course. 😉 ) I work at a costume shop in Indianapolis. I KNOW we have tons of those things, for men and women. ---
**Author:** ![bouv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bc8723/32.png) [@bouv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bouv)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2007, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-finding-a-piece-of-clothing/418338/6 "2007-09-08T04:04:19Z")
[QUOTE=Dung Beetle] Nooooooooo! Nix the re-thinking! Amuse people! [/QUOTE] Well, in general, I try to avoid buying “pre-built”, as it were, costumes. I was hoping there would be a place that was selling them as a vintage clothing item, not as actual Halloween cosume, ya’ dig? Maybe I’ll just go as Spike (from BtVS,not that anime) again… ---
**Author:** ![Avarie537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/48db29/32.png) [@Avarie537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Avarie537)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2007, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-finding-a-piece-of-clothing/418338/7 "2007-09-09T21:42:46Z")
I doubt you’re going to find a real 80+year-old-bathing suit that would be in any sort of condition to be worn. Your best bet would be to find a reputable costumer and just rent one. ---
**Author:** ![Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hey_It_s_That_Guy)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2007, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-finding-a-piece-of-clothing/418338/8 "2007-09-10T02:18:19Z")
[QUOTE=bouv] Maybe I’ll just go as Spike (from BtVS,not that anime) again… [/QUOTE] I did that last year and will probably do it again this year. 🙂 I have most of the clothes, and even though I shave my head, I grew it out just enough last October to be able to dye it blond.