swimwear – We Heart Vintage blog: retro fashion, cinema and photography

1940s Fads: Indoor Sunbathing

The 1940s was a time when no one gave much thought to sunscreen and you could happily chain-smoke cigarettes and

Er, I can’t claim to tell you much about these photos except that they were labelled ‘wet proof paper’ 1953.

It was the lovely Armi Kuusela from Finland who won the first ever Miss Universe contest in 1952*, with Miss

We tend to think of 1950s swimwear as being the height of style and sophistication, and some of it WAS

It’s easy to get carried away and think that swimwear styles in the past was more beautiful, more elegant and

Apparently some people prefer taking exercise on the beach rather than just lounging with a Margarita. I don’t understand it

The sun is shining gloriously here for the first time in, well, what feels like months! Am I too early

Christmas is hurtling towards us now. How many sleeps left? I think it’s 4 but I’m writing this before I’ve

If I was having my photo taken in wet woolen swimwear I think I’d close my eyes too… I know

Chorus girls from the Theatre Royal on Tamarama Beach, ca. 1938. Photographed by Sam Hood. I’ve never been tempted to

Some very pretty 1960s bikini models running on the beach in Pensacola, Florida (1969). Aren’t they gorgeous?

This is something which I’m sure we’ll all find useful in everyday life! This amazing 1950s video shows a young

Beauty contestants at Tri-City Suncoast Festival: St. Petersburg, Florida 1962. Left to right: Tri-City Queen, Rita Mathies; former Tri-City Queen,

I was lucky enough to be sent a copy of Vintage Swimwear Patterns: Historical Patterns and Techniques this week. It’s

Another beautiful Cole of California advert from the 1940s. I don’t know why more people don’t wear high-waisted bikinis, if

This photo was taken in Panama City, Florida in 1966. The model is Melody May. Fabulous bikini, fabulous view!

A gorgeous collection of 1950s swimsuits, photographed in Florida in 1959. Which is your favourite – I love the red

It’s tipping it down with rain here today and I’m sitting here with a living room full of new garden