What i first notice in this picture is that everyone is fully dressed and the women appear to have some type of crinoline on to give their skirts more volume. They are very apparently not dressed for swimming. The second thing I notice is that while they are near the sea, there is no vegetation and no birds, I’m assuming this is due to it being fall or winter. Winter in England is harsh and cold, and not conducive to a pleasant swim in the ocean.
Also, I truly can’t imagine these women getting into the water. I feel like it would be inappropriate behavior for a woman of good standing in the Victorian Era. Even if they were wearing (god forbid) less clothing, the result would be wet clothes that would conform to their figure. A figure that is meant to remain hidden and only displayed for the act of procreation. And even then i’m not sure that “proper” men and women were supposed to engage in the act of ogling each others naked bodies.
Humanities 101 