More Claire McCardell Swimwear

We've talked about and shown Claire McCardells Spectacle Suit that she created in 1949 (above). Today I share with you yet another Claire McCardell swimsuit from 1950 (below). Note how the color and the fabric looks similar, and the bottoms have a bit of billowing. I would wear that in a heart beat! Which is your favorite?

More McCardell Magnificence

This image shows two lovely models having fun while wearing vintage swimwear by Claire McCardell. It's interesting to note that Claire was using striped wool textiles for swimwear for a few years. There is change in the neckline, but they are very similar from 1954 to 1957.

1957

1954

We have this gorgeous two piece striped swimsuit by Claire McCardell in our personal collection. ♥♥♥

Artistic Three Dimensional Vintage Inspired Swimsuits

Artist Courtney McCrone has begun working on a series of recycled bathing suits as part of her AP Concentration in Cleveland, and I am just floored. These are so beautiful and you can see she has a love for vintage. I'm lovin this cardboard extravaganza, the lines, the shape, the juxtaposition of materials. Bravo Courtney! Can't wait to see the rest of what she comes up with.

Source

Artist Statement:

"Bathing suits have been invented for the human figure to feel comfortable while wearing a suit, right?? Well, believe it or not, very few people actually get that amazing feeling of sporting a swim suit, for a number of different reasons. Therefore, I am creating a series of bathing suits showing the juxtaposition of what suits are really meant for.

So far I have completed 4 out of the 12 that we need to be finished with in a month. Oh yeah, each project needs to be totally finished within a week. Which is 7 days…which can get pretty stressful if one is trying to attempt to have a life and if lucky get enough sleep at the same time. But anyways! Enough about me…

I have so far made suits out of tree bark, cardboard, duct tape, and clear packaging tape. All of which resemble different feelings that can come from wearing a swim suit. For example, with my clear packaging tape suit (pic is above), I made the suit out of that to express the feeling of being watched while walkin down the beach…or wherever you may be while sporting a suit… "

Claire McCardell & Joset Walker Swimwear 1946

What a fabulous image of - not one - but TWO of my absolute favorite sportswear designers, Claire McCardell and Joset Walker. Claire and Joset were contemporaries who went to Parsons together.

1946

Sabine (right) models a 'Pantung Loincloth' swimsuit designed by Claire McCardell and Janet Stevenson (left) models the 'Hug Me Tight' swimsuit designed by Joset Walker. Isn't that zig zag treatment to the edging of Joset's suit fabulous?

1946

Sabine (above) in another wonderful loincloth swimsuit by Claire McCardell. What's interesting to note are the different treatments to the bodice of these three images. The bottom one has a polka dot ascot paired with it. Which is your favorite?

1945

A Popular Swimwear Style of the 1940s

1940s

I have always loved this 1940s style of two piece swimwear. This sweet set consists of side buttoned bottoms with coordinating accent trim on waist and top. The halter was popular and this effortless version features a gathered band between the cups with the halter tying behind the neck. The top could be worn bandeau style as well with the straps undone for sunning. The coordinating band on the top is a fold over flap of material. The top would have either buttons or be tied at the back strap.

Her round sunglasses and hairstyle complete her fabulousness. I would love to see what shoes or sandals she brought along with this cute beach set.

RIP Elizabeth Taylor

Just a small pictorial of beloved Elizabeth Taylor who passed away today, you will be missed but not forgotten! RIP 2/27/1932 -3/23/2011

Elizabeth Taylor Dabbles in Swimwear

Oh my, oh my, oh my. I would have never guessed. This revealing swimsuit was designed by actress Elizabeth Taylor and her American partners Mia Fonssagrives and Vicki Tiel on show at Maxim's in Paris in January 1968.

Mia was studying at Parson's School of Design in New York City in the early 1960s. It was there that she and fellow student Vicky Tiel had the dream of creating a collection of women's clothing. Because Mia had French citizenship through her father, the fledgling designers moved to Paris. They became known for their innovative ready-to-wear Youthquake fashion line. They also collaborated with Taylor on wedding dresses. Are you surprised?

1944 Joset Walker - The Most Exciting Catch of the Seaon

One of the things I love most about vintage ads is when they mention the designer name or give other clues in print. This ad for Enka Rayon from 1944 not only gives us the name of the print of the material but the name of the designer. And this designer is one of my absolute favorites, Joset Walker.

1944 Enka Rayon Advertisement

'The most exciting catch of the season, Joset Walker halter dress and jacket in Onondaga's Marine Print of Enka Rayon. Available at Peck & Peck, Julius Garfinckel and I Magnin.'

Not only is the print fabulous but, oh my, that dress! Swoon worthy indeed, check out the halter neck, fitted bodice and matching little bolero jacket to boot.

In researching for this post I looked for more info about 'Onondaga's Marine Print' to no avail, but when I changed that search to Enka Rayon, the results were well, intriguing. So I'm off into cyber space to yet another little sidetrack.

Zack Galifianakis Vintage Styled Swimwear Cheesecake Shoot

I recently found these images of Zack Galifianakis on the Vanity Fair website. Every month Vanity Fair adds an image to their 'Vanities Girls' portfolio. Zack is number 6 with the above image. But I guess part of the shoot was to have Jack model in a women's swimsuit.

source

Well Zack, all I can say is there is a reason these swimsuits were designed for women. But I give you big props for the smile on my face right now. What say you, how'd he do?

1980s Swimwear

These swimsuit images are from a Bonwit Teller summer catalog 1985.
From left to right:

Gottex plaid suit in nylon/lycra. $65.00, that's approx. $134.00 in today's dollar.

Michaele Vollbracht for Sofere nylon/lycra yellow bikini $39.00, $80.00 in today's dollar.

Same maker blue tank $40.00, $83.00 in today's dollar.

From left to right:

All pieces by Cole of California.

Hot pink bikini if ribbed nylon/lycra $38.00, $91.00 in today's dollar.

Cotton jumpsuit $59.00 (did we really wear stuff this huge?), $121.00 in today's dollar.

Print tank in nylon/lycra $44.00, $90.00 in today's dollar.

Vintage Rubber Swim Caps

This ad for Howland ribber swim caps dates to 1956. The perfect way to keep your 'wave' dry while swimming. Swim Caps came in a variety of colors and textures. Some even have three dimensional floral petals and designs. We're listing some lovely vintage Swim Caps on Glamoursurf this week. Here are just a few of our favorites to come.

Which is your favorite?

Collector Cards

These collector cards of the Beatles were issued in the UK in the early 1960s. Using collector cards for swimwear is not new, but the Beatles in Swimsuits? Now that's something that a teen gal in the 1960s could get behind!

Happy Monday!

Sweet Young Angie Dickinson

Angie Dickinson in The Killers circa 1964

Angie was born Sept 30, 1931, so that would have made her 33 in this picture. She looks younger to me don't you agree? Such an adorable striped suit and I'll bet those are Springolators on her feet.

What a Fabulous Novelty Print

I saw this shirt and just had to get it for Glamoursurf. It's a 1960s loop collar shirt labeled Penquin by Munsingwear. I picked it up because of the print. Right up my alley and I hope you like it. It would be fabulous by the Viva Las Vegas Pool party. Get ready to watch the swimwear competition heat up in your vintage Munsingwear shirt.

Swimmers, divers, boaters, tennis champs, travel, bicycling, it's all here.

Scarf at the Beach

Beautiful, graceful and purposeful. Use it for a cover-up, a blanket, or to keep your hair away from the wind. You can even use it to tie at the waist for a skirt. I love how large and semi sheer this scarf is.

Sophia Kokosalaki One Piece or Two?

I found these images on line from the website of Sophia Kokosalaki. These are from her Spring/Summer Collection for 2010. I was very interested in this piece. I sure has the look of a swimsuit doesn't it? But then as I looked at more of her collection I began to see the same little bralette in a few of her pieces.

What do you think? The piece reminds me of the vintage Bali Bow Bra's that have the overwire and the end of the bow used as a design treatment in the bra itself. I'm wondering if this is in fact two separate pieces.


It sure is a cute look. I do like how she has incorporated it across her line. I'd love to see or handle this piece to see just what it actually is. How would you wear it?

Sacony Swimwear Advertising

A small grouping of Sacony images and advertisements featuring women and girls in swimsuits. These are from the 30s, 40s and 50s. Sacony was a mid range priced line of sportswear and did many advertisements as stories. Those bloomers are oh so cute!

Sacony 1954

Sacony 1952

Sacony 1948

Sacony 1935

The Peacock Male - 300 Years of Men's Fashion

There is a wonderful exhibit now open at the Philadelphia Museum of Art which focuses on vintage men's fashions and while I'd love to be able to see it in person, I have to rely on the website to give me a view into the exhibit.

Men's Paper Shirt - late 1960s - designer unknown

The Peacock Male - Exuberance and the Extremes in Masculine Dress Jan 22 - June 2011 at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

'Men’s apparel is often thought of as staid and restrained, especially when compared to feminine fashions. Until the late eighteenth century, however, elite men flaunted their social position with rich fabrics and ornamentation. After men generally adopted somber suits, colorful accessories could add spice, and more ostentatious masculine flash and flair was sometimes permissible. The Peacock Male, drawn from the Museum’s collection of Western fashion, examines three hundred years of men’s sartorial display.'

There look to be some wonderful vintage pieces shown on the museums website. We've included a few of our favorites, but really go see for yourself.

Men's Long Sleeve T-shirt - Alexander McQueen - 1997

Man's Coat with Mermaid Pin-Up Girl - Yohji Yamamoto Fall/Winter 1991-1992

This piece has to be my favorite of the pieces I can see on the website. Reminds me of the 1940s peek-a-boo ties, where the actual art is 'hidden' only to be displayed by the wearer to those who are deemed worthy.

Sailors Blouse - 1862 - 1865, attributed to George Dove

During the nineteenth century, dress regulations for enlisted men allowed for individual creativity. Sailors thus often embellished their going-ashore uniforms with embroidery; this embroidered blouse and matching bag, Philadelphia Museum of Art, 2008-37-2, are rare surviving examples of this forgotten art form. George W.W. Dove was the 3rd Assistant Engineer aboard the U.S. steamer Richmond during the Civil War. Differences in the quality of the embroidery suggest that two people were responsible for the needlework, one of who may have been George Dove.

And if you do go, or have gone, please report back and let us know your thoughts on the exhibition. Enjoy!