Swimwear

1950s Wet Proof Paper Bikini..?

1950s Wet Proof Paper Bikini..?

Er, I can’t claim to tell you much about these photos except that they were labelled ‘wet proof paper’ 1953. I have to assume that the bikini and beachwear are made from ‘wet proof paper’. Why, or what that is, and whether it’s suitable material for swimwear I have no idea. Sorry! If you can(…)

The First Ever Miss Universe Contest, 1952

The First Ever Miss Universe Contest, 1952

It was the lovely Armi Kuusela from Finland who won the first ever Miss Universe contest in 1952*, with Miss Hawaii, Miss Greece, Miss Hong Kong and Miss Germany in the runner up positions.  Interestingly Miss United Kingdom, Aileen P. Chase, who was a runner up in Miss World the previous year didn’t even make(…)

1950s Swimwear Shoot: the Elegant and the Experimental…

1950s Swimwear Shoot: the Elegant and the Experimental…

We tend to think of 1950s swimwear as being the height of style and sophistication, and some of it WAS beautiful, but as you can tell by these photos some of the more experimental items of beachwear were more miss than hit! The giant puffy beachball look anyone?

5 Epic 1920s Swimsuit Fails

5 Epic 1920s Swimsuit Fails

It’s easy to get carried away and think that swimwear styles in the past was more beautiful, more elegant and more chic than those available today, but as these photos prove that wasn’t necessarily the case! The photo above, for example, is a gorgeous photo full of joy and laughter, but unfortunately those flimsy woolen(…)

1920s Bathing Girl Revue Extravaganza

1920s Bathing Girl Revue Extravaganza

Another day another bevy of vintage bathing beauties – this time I’ve found some amazingly clad 1920s contestants from the Galveston Texas Bathing Girl Review. I think most of the costumes must have been homemade – quite a few of them are more like fancy dress costumes than swimsuits – especially that amazing Ancient Egyptian-style(…)

The 1920s International Pageant of Pulchritude & Annual Bathing Girl Review

The 1920s International Pageant of Pulchritude & Annual Bathing Girl Review

Now there’s a title which just rolls off the tongue! Apparently ‘Pulchritude‘ is a really ungainly way of saying ‘beauty’ which (unsurprisingly) has fallen out of fashion. These photos were all taken at the International Pageant of Pulchritude & Annual Bathing Girl Review between 1926 and 1928. I adore these long old-fashioned photos. They remind(…)

Gallery: 1930s Beach Acrobatics

Gallery: 1930s Beach Acrobatics

Apparently some people prefer taking exercise on the beach rather than just lounging with a Margarita. I don’t understand it myself. It’s all very impressive but I’d be hanging out with that handsome guy in the bottom photo chilling out and getting a tan.

Santa Likes the Ladies…

Santa Likes the Ladies…

Christmas is hurtling towards us now. How many sleeps left? I think it’s 4 but I’m writing this before I’ve had my 2nd cup of coffee of the morning and I might be wrong. I should have asked my 7-year-old, he would have answered without hesitation! I thought I’d get in the festive spirit and(…)

The Epitome of 1930s Style?

The Epitome of 1930s Style?

This picture perfectly captures for me the style of the 1930s. I think my glamorous 1930s ideal probably stems from watching too many Poirot and Hollywood movies, where all the young people were beautiful, tanned and althetic, all the men had slicked back hair and dashing looks and the women had perfect pin curls. I(…)

Giant seahorses and 1940s bikinis

Giant seahorses and 1940s bikinis

Young ladies in 1940s bikinis overlooked by some giant seahorses at the municipal casino: Lido Beach, Florida. c. 1945. Don’t they look elegant? (the girls and the seahorses)

Thank the Lord for modern swimwear…

Thank the Lord for modern swimwear…

If I was having my photo taken in wet woolen swimwear I think I’d close my eyes too… I know we all reminisce about the gorgeousness of vintage swimwear, and how it’s all more stylish and more lovely than lycra, but I think even a pair of tiny budgie-smugglers would be more flattering than these(…)

A 1930s Chorus Girl Pyramid on the Beach

A 1930s Chorus Girl Pyramid on the Beach

Chorus girls from the Theatre Royal on Tamarama Beach, ca. 1938. Photographed by Sam Hood. I’ve never been tempted to do acrobatics on the beach but it seems to be a common theme for vintage seaside photos! Is it just me?

How to become a 1950s mermaid

How to become a 1950s mermaid

This is something which I’m sure we’ll all find useful in everyday life!  This amazing 1950s video shows a young woman learning to be a mermaid at Weeki Wachee. Her lessons include breath control, synchronized swimming, diet, modeling, announcing, and how to eat and drink underwater.

How to bend down in a bikini

How to bend down in a bikini

Sarasota Sun-Debs from 1949 learning how to elegantly pick things up off the floor at Lido Beach, Florida. Which one of these two are doing it correctly? I’m guessing it’s the girl who’s got her knees bent rather than the one bending down with her bottom at perfect pinching level! Does anyone know what a Sun-Deb is? Are they(…)

Windswept 1960s beauty contestants

Windswept 1960s beauty contestants

Beauty contestants at Tri-City Suncoast Festival: St. Petersburg, Florida 1962. Left to right: Tri-City Queen, Rita Mathies; former Tri-City Queen, Pinky Clough; Miss St. Pete, Marja Paulsen; Tri-City Princess, Sally Fuller; Tri-City Princess, Judy D’Angelo; Miss Clearwater, Marie Stragar and Tri-City Princess, Paula Reeves.

A cherry-print 1950s bikini (and a very strange hat)

A cherry-print 1950s bikini (and a very strange hat)

A cheerful cherry-print 1950s bikini modelled by Shirley Deas from Florida, 1955. I’m not sure what to make of that strange hat though? Have you ever seen a hat like that before?! Source and copyright: No known copyright restrictions

Book review: Vintage Swimwear Patterns: Historical Patterns and Techniques

Book review: Vintage Swimwear Patterns: Historical Patterns and Techniques

I was lucky enough to be sent a copy of Vintage Swimwear Patterns: Historical Patterns and Techniques this week. It’s a fabulous book, and absolutely fascinating. It contains around 25 patterns for retro swimwear, ranging from the 1880s to the 70s. Each pattern has a photograph of the original swimsuit from which the pattern has(…)