Early 1931 Swimwear Follows Fashion and Bares More Back

I really love this ad. The year is 1931 and the ad is by swimwear maker B.V.D. In the early 1930s the backs of bathing suits began to show more skin and reach towards the waistline. The continuing arrival of fashion from Paris and the current healthful benefits of the sun were everywhere to be seen and swimwear manufacturers were taking note! Aren't the jewel tones of the times wonderful too? Enjoy!

Happy Halloween!

Dropping by to wish you all a very SCARY Halloween! Be safe and have fun! Cheers!

1960 Cole of California Pink Polka Dot Swimsuit

Take your choice, pink or blue? Cole of California 1960. This vintage advertisement just makes me smile!

1952 Sun Specs Sunglasses by Claire McCardell

1953 vintage advertisement featuring Claire McCardell sunglasses! Available in Black, white, camel, red, turquoise, yellow and black. That pared down shape to show off your eyebrows and all for only $10.00, that's approx $90.00 in today's dollar. I'll take turquoise please!

Carolyn Schnurer Translates her Gold Coast Memo's into Fashion

Carolyn Schnurer only had a short visit into the fashion industry from 1944 - 1964 during her lifetime. Her career travels took her to many exotic places which in turn were inspiration for her clothing designs. Many of these trips were sponsored by stores such as Peck & Peck with other support coming from the textile design companies that helped to create her work. Dan River, Fuller, Bates, Arthur Beir, and Hollander were among the companies she worked with to develop textiles based on the motifs which filled her travel notebooks.

Here we see 9 different looks inspired by her travels. As always you can click on the images to enlarge. Enjoy!

Carolyn Schnurer Coordinating Designs

Carolyn Schnurer (1908 - 1998) born and raised in NY. She taught art and music before turning to sportswear design in 1940. She taught at New York University and the Fashion Institute of Technology and was instrumental in changing women's fashions in beachwear and sportswear, designing complete outfits, and adapting the two-piece bathing suit for the United States market. For these innovations her designs appeared in the pages of ''Vogue'', ''Harper's Bazaar'' and ''Life'' magazines, as well as on the covers. The Awards presented to her from Coty, The Cotton Council, International Sportswear, Miami Sportswear, and Boston Sportswear were among other special recognitions for her achievements.

I happened to go to the High Style Exhibit at the San Francisco legion of Honor last week and saw these two pieces from her. The bathing suit is dated 1950 and the dress I believe said 1953. Regardless, they are both stunning and from the same collection. Schnurer had a knack for producing coordinating outfits based on her travel inspirations. Aren't they beautiful?

Schnurer's designs were based on the classic American silhouette at the time while incorporating many of the cultural influences from her travels in either fabrics or construction details.

We will explore more of Carolyn's work later this week.

Vintage Catalina Lobster Hand Print Swimsuit by Mary Ann Deweese circa 1949

I came across this old picture from the late 40s of the Last Frontier Hotel Swimming pool recently and upon closer inspection I see the seated glamorous gal on the left is wearing that fabulous Lobster hand-print two piece swimsuit. This is such an iconic suit! It was designed by Mary Ann DeWeese for Catalina in 1949.

I love it when I find actual images that show vintage swimwear and can be supported with appropriate information. I hope you enjoy!

Early South Bend Swimming Pool

Greetings from South Bend, Indiana. Early 1950s postcard depicts a swimming pool at Potawatomi Park. This is of interest to me because I was born in South Bend in this same time frame, yeah, I'm a hoosier. I don't think I've ever been here, will have to ask mom as I would have been far to young to remember. Who would have guessed that there were even postcards from this little town, put's a smile on my face knowing I'm from there!!!

Viva Las Vegas Vintage Swimsuit Competition Winner Edie Edison Takes First Place in a Vintage Swimsuit from Glamoursurf

Images are courtesy of the lovely Edie Edison. Edie (left) purchased a fabulous 1950s Gossard bikini from Glamoursurf last month to take to Viva Las Vegas, but the best part is she won first place in the vintage swimsuit competition! I'm loving how she styled her outfit, oh and that fabulous hairdo!

Isn't she adorable? And the swimsuit fits her perfectly and shows off her assets! I feel like a winner too, thanks Edie! We have some of the best customers around!

I guess there was some angst and confusion about this years contest possibly letting in 'retro styled suits' and a facebook page was created to get everyone rallied around the cause. Glad to hear that it's still only swimwear prior to 1970s. Will you be going next year to VLV19?

Go Caribbean with Catalina's Bermuda Butterfly - Vintage Swimwear 1951

In 1951 Catalina came out with a number of swimsuits with the Caribbean being the inspiration. We've shown you Rhumba Ruffles, so today we'll take a peek at the Bermuda Butterfly one of the most colorful and comfortable suits in the Catalina line. A floppy butterfly at the top of panelled bosom and shirring for extra stretch-ability. This suit cost a mere $9.00 in 1951. LOVE!

Vintage 1950s Ruffled Catalina Swimsuit

1951 "Rhumba Ruffles" Catalina's inspired interpretation look of the Carribean mood with multi-color ruffles at the bosom of a torso-trim suit of nylon, taffeta and lastex. The tremendously long rebosa wraps luxuriously and is a practical beach companion too.

1951 Bask-ette Sportswear Brassiere by Mamzelle

 1951

At last, a sportswear brassiere for the full figure! Yet the magic of Bask-ette design gives the 'Average look" to both the large and small bosom. so easy to fit, so versatile. Wear it with or without straps at the beach, club, garden party or summer dance. In pre-shrunk and washable fabrics.

Windansea from Catalina Tailored Swimwear 1964

1964 Catalina Advertisement featuring 'Tailored Swimwear'

Vintage Maidenform Bras and Swimsuit circa 1963

This advertisement dates to 1963 and features a Maidenform 'Sweet Music' Bra.

This ad intrigues me for a few reasons. First off, I love the pin-up style pose and the tag line, let alone her outfit consisting of high waist rolled up jeans, and a bandana at her waist. And that hat to go with silver flats.
She's a woman on a mission.

This is the inset diagram on the bottom of the ad. "SWEET MUSIC - with triangle inserts for extra uplift! The special triangle insert in each spoke-stitched cup emphasizes the uplift and gives you all-round firm, shapely support. Embroidered panels 'frame' each cup, defining your figure beautifully! Sweet Music can't cut of bind because the 'comfort band' beneath the cups is contoured and elasticized. No wonder Sweet Music is one of the most popular bras in the world!"

And the fine prints. Did you know that Maidenform made swimwear? I've not been very successful at figuring out when they started manufacturing them, but this ad states swimsuits so I know at least that Maidenform manufactured swimwear in 1963 and possibly before.

The Mastery of Claire McCardell

Ahhh, behold the beauty of master Claire McCardell. I never tire of looking at her work. The vintage advertisement from the 1950s features one of her dressmaker swimsuits, butnote the styling of the photo. Her stripes match the background colors of Enka Rayon.  That pose, those sandals, the stack of bracelets! Perfect!

1964 Cabana Sets and Hip Riders from Jantzen

1964 Jantzen Advertisement, Esquire Magazine

These are all part of the cabana sets, but called hip riders and zipfits by Jantzen. Sportswear for Sportsmen. Check out those hats and note the emblem of Jantzen on the front. The ad features sportsmen from the 1960s including, Terry Baker, Bob Cousy and Frank Gifford.

Surfs Up in California - Surfing Fashions from 1964

These images of handsome surfers and surf fashions are from 1964 and were originally published in Esquire magazine.

The increasing popularity of surfing has encouraged a like trend in surfing fashions. Basic characteristics: loose leg, matched waist and leg band. Upper left, surfer Bill Richardson wears a stretch Jantzen with a warm-up top. Walter Sawyer is shown in burgundy-blue and white- striped cotton ticking shorts, also by Jantzen. Photographed at the Huntington Beach Surf Club, California.

One of the most popular surfing styles is the bold red-and-white cotton print, left, by Catalina worn by Don Shusta. The shirt-shorts set, center is made of featherweight nylon by Catalina. The shirt is a parka style and is worn by Richard Scott. On the right Hap Cole wears a shorter version of the surfer in a grey lastex with white elastic side stripes. It's a stretch hip-rider,, also by Catalina.