Rose Marie Reid Swimsuits, 1954

Tired of winter?  Here's a bit of relief.  This ad for Rose Marie swimsuits is from November of 1954 and featured two jewel-toned suits for tropical vacations during the winter of that year.  The suits are incredible, but note the matching scarves that were designed specifically to coordinate by Rex.  And then note the addition of the rhinestone starfish brooch on the pink scarf.  Love!

"Pouf go those winter winds! Blaze goes the sun...and from Trinidad to Tuscan, Majorca to Miami, you're part of the fun!  Smart girl, if you're a second-vacation traveler, revitalizing for the rest of the year. Lucky girl, if your first flight is in fashion...a new shape that says you've arrived!  The shape, a feather boned sheath.  The suits, "Court Lady," left, $19.95. "Beau Catcher," right, $17.95." (That's about $173 and $156 in today's dollar.)

Photo from a full page ad appearing in Harper's Bazaar for Rose Marie Reid, 1954.

Beautiful Vintage Swimsuit Photos - 1960

Photography is not a particular talent of mine. I am always struck by the beauty of many photos I find in vintage magazines.  These gorgeous swimsuit shots are all from 1960.

From an ad for travel to the Bahamas, this photo is by John Lewis Stage.  It is entitled, "Liquid Sunshine, 20 Feet Deep."  Quite the glass bottomed boat!

This advertisement for Catalina swimsuits gives no credit to the photographer.  I love the way the white light in the sky and on the water is juxtaposed to the white swimsuit.

In an editorial photo for the magazine, photographer Frances McLaughlin-Gill uses an unusual position to capture a gorgeous shot.  The model's body angles from upper left to lower right in a visually arresting picture.  Swimsuit by Catalina, swim cap by Kleinert's.

Sew Your Own Vintage Swimsuit and Cover Up - 1965

We really are lucky nowadays that there are many wise women who search out and sell vintage patterns.  What better way to create your own vintage look?  Here are some ideas for swimsuits with matching cover ups sewn from McCall's Patterns in the summer of 1965.  If you do a web search for the McCall's pattern number you like, you can find most of these patterns available for sale.

A two piece swimsuit with matching jacket.  Add a border of wide lace at the jacket hem for a bit of flirtiness.  Made from McCall's pattern 7753.

McCall's 7753

Another two piece swimsuit, this time with a blouson top made from metallic mesh fabric.  Sewn from McCall's pattern 7796.

McCall's 7796

Two piece swimsuit worn with a beach jacket made from sheer white lace.  Sewn from McCall's pattern 7775.

McCall's 7775

Get two looks in one.  Make the one piece swimsuit in basic black and wear it with or without the sheer polka dot blouson top.  Made from McCall's pattern 7798.

McCall's 7798

Swimsuits - 1961

For the summer of 1961, the maillot was still the most popular swimsuit style.  That's not to say these aren't sexy though!

The tag line on this ad is "The name on the tip of her tongue is Petti."  Rather a provocative image for a 1961 women's magazine, and that's a rather provocative swimsuit!  Petti of Encino offered this cotton sharkskin suit in junior sizes.  The front lacing is adjustable and the suit had an inner bra.  Suit sold in 1961 for $17 (about $132 in today's dollar.)

Nothing mellow about this yellow!  Jantzen used a textured knit of rayon, nylon, Orlon and cotton for this bright maillot.  Suit sold in 1961 for $34.95 (about $268 in today's dollar.)

In an ode to la marinière, Catalina offered several colorful options of the classic white stripes.  Designed by Edith Stenbeck of Catalina in Helanca nylon and spandex knit.  Bathing caps were made in matching colors for Catalina by US Rubber.  Suit sold in 1961 for $23.95 (about $184 in today's dollar.)

Stripes are worked in the opposite direction in this high necked swimsuit by Jacques Heim.  I'll bet you anything the back plunges pretty low, though!

French Swimsuits - 1948

Rather swoon-worthy, aren't they?  At left:  Andre LeDoux animal print cotton suit with removable straps.  At right:  Jacques Griffe blue and white striped rayon two-piece.  Do you have a preference?

Meow Swimsuits

Today, no company in their right mind would show three women in animal prints wearing collars and leashes.  I'm not so sure this was a good idea for Cole of California in 1954, when this ad was published.  There's no denying these swimsuits are sexy though.  "Three exciting swimsuits from Cole's Female Animal Collection.  Fur-printed cotton...cut and shirred to make you the choicest specimen in captivity!  Zebra, leopard, tigress....which are you?"  These suits sold for $10.95 in 1954 (about $92 in today's dollar.)

In the Swim: Vintage Swimsuits, 1955

Swim, swim, swimsuits from 1955!

Rose Marie Reid introduced a line of brightly colored swimsuits in the new Celaperm fabric.  Celaperm was a blend of Celenese acetate and elasticized cotton that was guaranteed not to fade or run.  This made the use of bright color combinations possible, such as in this blue and green tartan plaid.  Sold in 1955 for $18 (about $152 in today's dollar.)

If I found this swimsuit today, I'd guess it was from the 1930s.  But no, these suits by Cabana, which were made in an elasticized wool/angora blend, are from 1955.  They were probably offered at Bonwit Teller for the store's more conservative customers, who preferred the familiar styles of the past.  Sold in 1955 for $22.95 (about $194 in today's dollar.)

Cole of California offered a line of beach fashions influenced by Spain.  This strapless maillot in black Lastex is accented with bright red triangles and black braid.  Olé!  Sold in 1955 for $17.95 (about $152 in today's dollar.)

Silver Swimsuits - 1966

I've shown you before how popular silver was in 1966.  Here, this shimmering color even goes to the beach.

Photo by Henry Clarke for US Vogue.

Silver maillot by Silvia de Gay for Robert Sloan made of metal coated Dupont nylon.  Suit sold for $35 in 1966 (about $245 in today's dollar.) 

Photo by Bert Stern for US Vogue.

Cole of California silver swimsuit with a cowl neckline.  The cutaway sides and back are filled with nude fishnet.  Made of Dupont nylon and mylar.  This beauty also came in gold. 

In the Swim: Vintage Swimsuits, 1959

Whether you're going on a tropical vacation or just dreaming of one, you're sure to be inspired by these vintage swimsuits from 1959.  2 piece suits were still considered pretty daring at this time, but they begin to show up more and more at this time and into the next few years.  Which one do you like?

Cole of California made these 4 co-ordinates in Siamese silk plaid.  The 2 piece swimsuit could be worn with or without the matching sarong skirt and beach jacket.  4 piece set sold for $70 in 1959 (about $545 in today's dollar.)

John Weitz pleated cover-up is worn over a 2 piece Lastex and cotton faille suit.  Set sold for $25 in 1959 (about $195 in today's dollar.)

Jantzen International Set "Shoji" suit was inspired by Japan.  Fashioned of elasticized mohair-type knit.  Sold for $25 in 1959 (about $195 in today's dollar.)

Catalina maillot in nylon/Lastex knit.  Blue flowers float on a navy background.  Sold for $20 in 1959 (about $156 in today's dollar.)

Sea B's satin Lastex suit in a floral print of turquoise and orange or apple green with blue.  This likely came with removable straps.  Sold for $18 in 1959 (about $140 in today's dollar.)

Wartime Swimsuit Photos, 1945

Dick Pope was the owner of Cypress Gardens in Florida and also a photographer who did publicity shots for other Florida resorts.  Because of gasoline restrictions during WWII, Pope was forced to stop his travels throughout the state and take all of his photos at Cypress Gardens.  But without a beach or palm trees, Pope had to be innovative in his use of props.  These photos were taken in 1945.

 The photographer built a fake beach with some sand and beach grass on a wooden platform.

 Here, Pope uses a sawed off trunk of a palm tree to emulate a real one.

Who cares about the swimsuit.  I want the SHOES!!!!!!!!!

The model sits on a large stump while Pope holds a reflector to dramatically increase the sunlight.  Still want the SHOES!!!!!!!

A palm branch is held in place in a wooden contraption so the model can stand under it.

Vintage Swimsuit Inspiration - 1973

Dots and stripes.  Didn't Barbie have a striped suit like the one on the right?  You can see from today's photos how lycra changed swimwear dramatically.  Both suits by Ungaro Parallele.

Strategically placed cut-out, bracelets, and fabulous sunglasses!  Suit by Nautic
.

Simple black halter suit with a low low low-cut back.  The only accent needed is long straight hair.  Silhouette.
 

Twiggy wears a barely there hand knitted string bikini.  You can just see the openwork knitting on the top.  These teeny handmade bikinis were hugely popular in the early 70s.  Twiggy wears hers with a black wig.

Set off a simple black bikini with a printed head scarf worn around the head and then wrapped and tied at the neck.  Pierre Cardin Diffusion.

Vintage Swimsuit Inspiration - 1966

How about a swimsuit with a hood?  Oh yeah.  Nina Ricci Boutique.

Newsboy cap atop a wild pop-art print.  Tom Brigance for Sinclair.

Reversible?  You bet!  Purple and mustard wool knit suit and cape by Maljana.  Both pieces reverse to the opposite color.  Cool.

How does that teeny-tiny top stay up?  I'll bet is has wires.  Bikini bottom is wrapped and tied in front.  John Weitz.

Halter neckline with tiny little buttons and loops to leave open or attempt to close.  Beach towel makes a huge turban for your wet hair.  Cole of California.

Vintage Swimsuit Inspiration - 1956

Check out the neckline of that little jacket.  See how the opening extends into rounded tabs with buttons?  Love that!  Set by Andre Ledoux Sports.

At the beach, wear your hair in a simple braid.  Blue and white polka dot rayon skirted suit by Laure Belin.

Border printed fabric offers lots of opportunities to change the look of a design.  Simple white mules and a parasol are the perfect accessories.  Set by Laure Belin.

Slits in the skirt mimic the V-neckline in a nice example of design symmetry.  A vintage swimcap adds that extra je ne sais quoe. Suit by Marie-Rose Lebigot.

Cat's-eye sunglasses and a parasol add the perfect touch! Yipes stripes in cotton by Jeanne Lanvin - Castillo.