In Italy, the first bathing facilities appear in Viareggio in 1828: Bagno Dori hosts the ladies, while the male counterpart is found at Bagno Nereo. Initially men and women live sea life separately. Moreover, bathing facilities are born with curative purposes, following the model of thermal baths.
Gradually, the simple wooden huts are replaced by more complex structures and the Italian coast begins to be characterized by places where you can abandon the worries of everyday life.
Seaside architecture underlines this need for recreation and relaxation, starting with the use of colors: the joyful tones of the buildings – pink, green, blue, orange – help define the carefree atmosphere of the coasts.
In the 1950s, the phenomenon of the “Italian August” breaks out: in August, all the large factories in the North close for holiday and families leave the big cities to go to the sea, a much desired destination.
Bikinis, group games, outdoor dining, dance floors appear on the beach. Even clothing is a tribute to Italian “dolce vita”. Among the accessories, the beach bag has the task of containing the kit to spend a day of complete relaxation.
The simplest model is a cotton net. But, with the advent of plastic, new models make their way, such as the Manhattan bag, halfway between a game for children (you can do it by yourself) and a fashionable case. Plastic is water resistant and offers a large choice of color possibilities. Furthermore, unlike the rope bag, the Manhattan bag stands up on its own, preventing the content from slipping out, making the bather life more comfortable. At the end of the day, while going back from the beach, the swaying movement allows the holes to let the sand come out. And then fill up again the next day. In an infinite playful and restful present.