Hastings on the Beach

I viewed the picture “Hastings on the Beach” (1864), I also followed the link provided and read the information given. The photo did not seem to coincide with what I had read. I think from what I viewed with the heavy winter coats it must have been late November. Around 1864 it would have been more fashionable to sea bathe in September or October. The picture has a young male with a dog, a small boy and several men. In 1864 Woman were still using cabanas to bathe in the sea. There was privacy tents that allowed the woman to change, bathe and redress without anybody seeing her body. Since there is no evidence of cabanas and the men are there I think this was a seaside family vacation. Either way, it must have been a relief to woman when the bathing suit was invented.