A policeman judges an ankle competition

A scene both humorous and curious by modern standards, this 1930 photograph captures a policeman inspecting contestants' ankles during a beauty contest in Hounslow, London. In a time when modesty and fashion walked hand-in-hand, “ankle competitions” were surprisingly common—judging women solely on the appearance of their ankles and calves, hidden modestly behind a curtain.

The officer, with his official demeanour and uniform, adds an almost theatrical air to the moment—an era when elegance was measured in the smallest of glimpses. It speaks volumes about the social customs of interwar Britain, when even beauty contests adhered to the codes of propriety, and the allure of the unseen was a source of fascination.

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