Swim cap

The permanent wave hairstyle took time to obtain and was expensive, so many women wanted to protect their hair while swimming.

Men's long hair styles of the late 1960s and early 1970s gave rise to increased use of swim caps.

They named it the Soul Cap, but it was banned at the 2020 Summer Olympics because of its size and configuration.

"Double capping" is also used by participants of open water swimming to provide warmth.

The cap must be approved by the official observer who accompanies the swimmer on the pilot boat across the channel.