Vintage swimwear guide: A suit for all body shapes
Everyone can look good in a bathing suit, you just have to know what you want to emphasise and what not to draw attention to. Thinking about your body shape is a good start towards finding your dream bathing suit.
And to give you a little guidance, whether you have short legs, wide hips, a small bust, a larger bust, a long torso, a short torso, a thick waistline, or a bit of a tummy, we have vintage swimwear expert Pam from Glamoursurf on hand to offer her fantastic tips for the perfect suits to suit you.
Bathing suit styles across the decades
Swimwear in the Forties offers clever details such as cutouts and usually has no bust padding. Wartime restrictions on minimum fabric usage caused designers to employ cutouts and keyholes to meet the requirements.
Satin stretch fabrics with Lastex were popular. The high waist two-piece swimsuit typical of this decade covered the navel area but left a bare midriff.
Many of the swimsuits from the Fifties were made in the hourglass shape to form and mould the body with construction details and fabric similar to undergarments which help to emphasise assets and camouflage flaws.
Some fabrics from this era have girdle-like stretch capabilities. The bust is usually padded or shaped with support mechanisms. Zippers were frequently used to cinch the suit at the back. Modesty panels and boy-cut leg openings were common.
Swimsuits from the Sixties still offered support devices, adjustable shoulder straps, and the two piece bathing suit regained popularity with the midriff being the focus. The bikini was launched into mainstream acceptance with the help of movie stars and the media. Fabrics with wild colours and bold patterns were very popular.
In the Seventies the thong was introduced. The leg openings reached higher on the hips and spandex/nylon combinations were prevalent. String bikinis became popular, and swimsuits in general became smaller, skimpier, and more revealing.
The Eighties brought about the athletic body with shoulders and backs into focus. The one piece reemerged with low cut bodices, bandeau tops, racer backs, and T backs.
Browse the next page for swimwear to suit your body shape
Category: 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, Accessories, Fashion, Vintage news
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I am doing a project on 1950′s fashion.
My name is Pamela Levenson, I developed a Vintage inspired Retro Swimwear line called Popina. I think your readers would appreciate my line.
These photos are truly inspirational! I design and make vintage inspired swimwear and underwear and would love to get your feedback on my range. You can find out more about my brand Miss Fancypants on my website:
http://www.missfancypants.com.au
yours truly,
Miss Fancypants
My Sister Pat designer label proudly was credited by the Sunday Herald Sun Jan 17 2010 with the following
comment “My Sister Pat creates the most authentically 1950′s fashioned swimwear in Australia”
My Sister Pat offers all discerning females Timeless Elegance, in cool ,comfortable, flattering, cotton complimented with “traditional rubber shirring” Visit our website http://www.mysisterpat.com.au or drop us a line by email to info@mysisterpat.com.au to see what is in stock as dupicates are rare as we focus on not mass producing.
Excitingly we have been created with the Sunday Herald Sun stating in a write
My Sister Pat creating the most authentically fashioned 1950′s swimwear in Australia
Does anyone know where I can buy a moderately priced 50s style swimsuit? There are some lovely ones online but all in excess of £60, which is a lot for a student!