The 1940s was a time when no one gave much thought to sunscreen and you could happily chain-smoke cigarettes and drink cocktails while you tanned, without so much as a thought to the health consequences. In 1948 the Senator Hotel in Atlantic City installed sunlamps in the ceilings so its patrons could tan, even when(…)
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(…)
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?
The sun is shining gloriously here for the first time in, well, what feels like months! Am I too early to start thinking about sunshine and swimwear? We’re at that longest point of winter where we all start dreaming about lounging on a fabulous holiday somewhere so I’ve rounded up my best vintage swimwear finds(…)
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)
Some very pretty 1960s bikini models running on the beach in Pensacola, Florida (1969). Aren’t they gorgeous?
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(…)
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
Another beautiful Cole of California advert from the 1940s. I don’t know why more people don’t wear high-waisted bikinis, if this one is anything to go by they look fabulous! This ad was shown in The Californian, May 1947.
Isn’t this a pretty bikini? I’m reveling in the weekend of sunshine we seem to be having (has the British summer finally arrived I wonder…?) so I thought photos of girls in sunshine and bikinis would be appropriate! Have a lovely weekend everyone!
This photo was taken in Panama City, Florida in 1966. The model is Melody May. Fabulous bikini, fabulous view!
Some great 1940s bikinis modelled by the ‘Sarasota Sun-Debs’. The photo was taken at Lido Beach, Florida in January 1949. I wish it was warm enough to wear bikinis in January in the UK!
A young girl wearing a knitted 1950s bikini top and shorts. The photos were taken in Leipzig in 1950. How on earth does a knitted bikini top not stretch out of shape when she comes out of the water..?? [2 photos]
Publicity photo of Adele Mara wearing a polka dot bikini for Argentinean Magazine. Source and copyright: This work is in the public domain in that it was published in the United States between 1923 and 1977 and without a copyright notice.
Young girls in bikinis posing for a photo in Naples, 1948. Which is your favourite swimsuit? I think mine is the striped bikini. Source and copyright: his photograph is in the public domain in Italy because it was first published in Italy and its term of copyright has expired. Edited with BlogPad Pro
1950s fashion model Dovima wearing bikini photographed by Toni Frissell in Montego Bay, Jamaica, 1946. Similar image published in: Harper’s bazaar, May 1947. Source and copyright: This file is in the public domain, because Gifted to the Library of Congress by the photographer Edited with BlogPad Pro
Girl in a green bikini holding a starfish on a poster from the newly nationalised British Railways, advertising Whitley Bay in North Tyneside. Signed “Michael”. Date: 1949 Source and copyright: The National Archives No known copyright restrictions
1940s photo of surf sirens on Manly beach in New South Wales, Australia. Which is your favourite? I think mine is the second from left – the 2 piece swimsuit with high waisted shorts! Photographer: Ray Leighton Source: National Library of Australia: No known copyright restrictions