---
title: '"I''m conserving wool, this bathing suit''s painted on." (undated, c. 1942-1945, OWI)'
url: https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/owi-shows-conserving-wool-painted-on-bathing-suit-1943/
description: 'Undated: NARA gives no date; c. 1942-1945 from the OWI series. A woman in a two-piece bathing suit walks on a beach beside a startled man in uniform.'
section: Collection
---

1. [Home](https://propagandaarchive.org/)
2. [Collection](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/)
3. "I'm conserving wool, this bathing suit's painted on."

[!["I'm conserving wool, this bathing suit's painted on.", 1943 US cartoon: Undated](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/owi-shows-conserving-wool-painted-on-bathing-suit-1943.jpg)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/owi-shows-conserving-wool-painted-on-bathing-suit-1943.jpg)

# "I'm conserving wool, this bathing suit's painted on." (undated, c. 1942-1945, OWI)

Undated: NARA gives no date; c. 1942-1945 from the OWI series. A woman in a two-piece bathing suit walks on a beach beside a startled man in uniform; the caption has her say her swimsuit is painted on to save wool. The tell is humour: a rationing and conservation message is carried by a risque joke rather than an instruction, and the technique fit is weak.

## Propaganda techniques used in this cartoon

[Euphemism / doublespeak](https://propagandaarchive.org/techniques/euphemism/)

## Text on the object

Original (English) · read from the image, not independently checked

```
"I'M CONSERVING WOOL, THIS BATHING SUIT'S PAINTED ON."
Charles Shows
```

[← Hon. William H. Hastie - Champion of Justice](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/owi-alston-william-hastie-champion-of-justice-1943/) [Silence means security: A wise Old Owl sat in an oak →](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/owl-silence-means-security-1943/)

## More propaganda examples that use the same techniques

- [詔書 (Imperial Rescript on the Annexation of Korea), Korean translation, Official Gazette of the Government-General of Korea no. 1, p. 17](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/annexation-rescript-korea-gazette-1910/) (Empire of Japan · Aug 29, 1910 · Glittering generalities, Euphemism / doublespeak). Content note: Official Japanese imperial text on the 1910 annexation of Korea, printed in Korean translation; shown as issued.
- [Suomen Kansalle! (To the Finnish People!): German commander von der Goltz says German troops come as friends](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/german-goltz-suomen-kansalle-1918/) (German Empire · Mar 1918 · Glittering generalities, Euphemism / doublespeak)
- [Deutsche Zeitung, Nr. 120, morning edition, front page (Berlin, 13 March 1920): "Ein angeblicher Militärputsch" (An alleged military putsch)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/deutsche-zeitung-angeblicher-militaerputsch-1920/) (Weimar Germany · Mar 13, 1920 · Euphemism / doublespeak). Content note: Front page carrying a column headed 'Sozialdemokratie und Judentum' (Social Democracy and Jewry) beside the lead on the Kapp putsch.
- ["Sous le soleil équatorial" (Le Petit Journal illustré, 6 July 1924)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/petit-journal-congo-ocean-railway-1924/) (France · Jul 6, 1924 · Euphemism / doublespeak, Glittering generalities)
- [Signs of Spring](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/berryman-signs-of-spring-1928/) (United States · Mar 11, 1928 · Euphemism / doublespeak)
- [Human Sterilization Today](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/human-sterilization-today-1938/) (United States · 1938 · Euphemism / doublespeak, Glittering generalities, Transfer). Content note: Pro-sterilisation pamphlet using "insane and feebleminded" for patients, with a disparaging remark about Catholics.
- [This Is France Overseas, One of the United Nations](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/france-this-is-france-overseas-one-of-the-united-nations-1939/) (France · 1939 · Card stacking, Euphemism / doublespeak)
- [This Is the Netherlands East Indies, One of the United Nations](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/netherlands-this-is-the-netherlands-east-indies-one-of-the-united-nations-1939/) (Netherlands · 1939 · Card stacking, Euphemism / doublespeak)