Swimwear in the 50s

Corsetry was losing swimwear in the 50s, but the new more revealing swimsuits really needed experts to design garments that hid faults in a woman's shape. Manufacturers achieved this by adding stretch tummy control panels to hold in the stomach.

In my yearly attempt to try a different style of swimsuit damn you two-piece swim dress for being so comfortable! I declare s swimsuits to be the most astonishing. The flattering ruching is out of this world. Some like it hot, indeed. Bygone beach babes.

Swimwear in the 50s

Most of the pictures shown below are of fashion models and pin-up girls. The swimwear is not necessarily what you would have found the average woman wearing to the beach or out in public. Swimwear was tame. And very ladylike. And again, even the skimpiest two piece suit covered the belly button. Technically, any two piece suit is a bikini. But do you know where the name comes from? Originally created by Parisian designer Louis Reard in , he named it after the Bikini Atoll, where the atomic bomb was tested! Two piece suits were becoming the norm but the belly button was generally covered. Lower suit bottoms were hitting the market from France and younger girls in particular were beginning to show their courage in wearing them. American designers were slow to catch up to the trend so fashion models were forced to improvise. Bunny Yeager a model turned fashion photographer often made her own suits for her models to wear giving her a leg up on her all male competition. Many of the photos below were taken by her. Popular actress Ava Gardner. Matching hair caps were very popular.

Necessary Necessary.

Ladies of the s sure knew how to make an entrance to the beach or Tiki poolside party. Despite their modesty, s swimsuits and bathing suits had plenty of style and personality. Shop plus sizes 50s swimsuits here. Learn more about s swimwear history and shop our favorite s style swimsuits choices this year:. Dressing in vintage style clothing for a themed event or personal fashion is our passion.

An idea that had begun rather hesitantly in the s evidently touched the roof with a darling collection that was launched in the s. The swimsuits began to lose the straps that tied at the neck or went over the shoulders as a bra-top. The shapes were getting slimmer, accentuating the curves and leaving little to the imagination. The s swimwear collection has come back today, in terms of style, fabric, and colors. Let us relive the era that challenged its norms quite vocally.

Swimwear in the 50s

Summertime is beach season, and that means shopping for bathing suits has begun. This year, the s and s swimsuit styles are taking center stage in the vintage, indie, and contemporary fashion world. So let us take a walk down memory lane and revisit s swimsuit and bathing suits styles and see how they have come back around today. Shop s swimsuits. Some catalogs like Sears and Montgomery Ward also had their own lines of swimwear, although the selection was small. Lane Bryant specialized in plus size swimsuits that favored dark colors, modest coverage, and the swim dress style. Nylon and elastic were added to jerseys to up the stretch and make suits dry faster after a dip. Then came improvements to Lastex, a rubberized material developed in the s. This combined with acetate, taffeta, and cotton created most of the swimsuits materials of the s. Bra tops were usually lined and many also had Pellon firmed bra cups.

Mmsq to sqft

Two piece suits had sturdy patterned fabric bras with secure wide straps which were set atop shorts with modesty skirts were popular. This website is supported by advertising in the form of product links, banners, and sponsored articles. And very ladylike. Um, yeah, that explains the Barbie proportions, alright. Today such legs cuts would be described on the label as low cut as suits have become cut much higher up the leg in an effort to make the leg seem longer and of course exposing more body at the same time. Even then women were not keen on lighter body marks that may have made a strapless dance dress look less attractive. Sarongs, kangas or pareos only really gained popularity 20 years later. Pat my sister in her s Swimsuit - Mad Men eat your heart out. Two piece suits were becoming the norm but the belly button was generally covered. You may also like Learn more about s swimwear history and shop our favorite s style swimsuits choices this year: s Swimsuits. Click here to see even more retro swimsuits. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. May Seventeen.

Remember those swimsuits that were high-waisted and had ruffles and polka dots galore? Just like our favorite one-pieces with square necklines and floral prints, swimwear has changed quite a bit since the s modest, bombshell styles.

Um, yeah, that explains the Barbie proportions, alright. Drama Queen. Subtle changes occurred in a few years and the modesty apron style soon looked old fashioned. I declare s swimsuits to be the most astonishing. For similar retro swimwear you may find something suitable at Popina. Close Privacy Overview This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Two piece suits had sturdy patterned fabric bras with secure wide straps which were set atop shorts with modesty skirts were popular. Most of the pictures shown below are of fashion models and pin-up girls. Couturier swimwear. Each one of the late 's swimsuits above had detachable straps and almost very woman appears to be wearing what we would view as the equivalent of a beach corset! Zips were still used in the centre back of swimsuits retaining the corset like appearance until the early s.