Novelty Print Swimsuit - 1954

Photo by Tom Palumbo for Harper's Bazaaar

This morning I was doing my usual thing, flipping through one of my vintage magazines looking for inspiration to post for you here.  And there it was....bam!  This image nearly knocked me out of my chair!  Do you see it?  From 1954, this Rose Marie Reid swimsuit is made from black cotton printed with giant red, white and blue safety pins!  Look again.....do you see it?  The matching cotton terry beach towel with the same print enlarged on white terry!  This will make me smile all day long.  Swimsuit sold in 1954 for $12 (about $102 in today's dollar.)  Beach towel sold in 1954 for $4 (about $34 in today's dollar.)

Dior Swimsuit - 1965

Photo by Helmut Newton for Vogue UK

It's Summer 1965. Christian Dior uses the latest fad of wild and crazy prints for this terrycloth bikini and silk chiffon coverup for his Boutique label.  I wish the colors were a bit brighter, but it's gorgeous all the same.  Do you suppose one of these bikinis is hiding in a drawer or an attic somewhere in the world just waiting for someone to find it and appreciate it?  I hope so.

Weekend Eye Candy - Charmis Swimsuit, 1953

I posted this photo on the Couture Allure Facebook Fan page this past week and it got such a positive reaction, I wanted to share it with those of you who may not have seen it. This has got to be one of the sexiest swimsuits I have ever seen. French, of course. Probably heavily boned or wired at the top. And it probably came with removable straps. Black wool and Lastex maillot by Charmis.

Tina Leser Beach Ensemble, 1945

Tina Leser was well known for her use of exotic fabrics and style influences from around the world. During the WWII years, however, her travels were limited and so were her fabric choices. Leser was still able to find inspiration, though, and here she uses simple white jersey for an exotic beach look. The two piece swimsuit has a twisted bandeaux top and came with a long wrap-around skirt. The set sold for $42 in 1945 (about $509 in today's dollar.)

Weekend Eye Candy - Swimsuit and Cover-up

In the early 1940s, actress Marsha Hunt wears a green and white print cotton two-piece swimsuit with a matching green and white cover-up jacket. Note the platform sandals!

Photo taken by MGM studio photographer Clarence Bull.

Guess the Date

Care to take a guess at the date of this swimsuit? If the photo was in color, you would be seeing red and white. Answer on Monday!

Weekend Eye Candy - Claire McCardell Swimsuit 1945

Claire McCardell was a master at designing innovative and unusual swimwear. Here, she fashions grey wool jersey into a wrap halter attached to trunks. The back is bare above the waist.

Vintage Swimsuits 1964 - Modeled by Suzy Parker

More swimsuits from 1964. By the way, all the swimsuits from yesterday and today were modeled by Suzy Parker. Parker was 33 years old in these photos, which were taken near the end of her modeling career. Doesn't she look great?

A tomato red velour maillot with a high turtleneck in the front that is hollowed out with a deep scoop in the back by Maidenform Sportswear.

This blue and white polka dot suit has a dashing red belt topping off the boy shorts. In nylon/lycra by Catalina. Red vinyl hat by Adolfo.

Black and white printed cotton bikini with an underwire bra-top by Oleg Cassini for Peter Pan.

A brown and pink sweater knit beach cover-up by Harbor Road.

Vintage Swimsuits 1964 - Modeled by Suzy Parker

Red wool knit suit by Rudi Gernreich for Harmon Knitwear. Gernreich swimsuits are highly sought after today and are often found in museum collections.

Pink demi-bikini in rayon crepe by Maidenform Sportswear.

Lemon yellow rayon/cotton/rubber blend spiked with brass buttons by Jantzen Juniors.

A black and white nylon tricot blouson suit by Rose Marie Reid. A hidden zipper at the front lets you show as much skin as you like.

Of course, you know where to find the best selection of vintage swimwear on the web, don't you? Check out Glamoursurf.com! More tomorrow!

Weekend Eye Candy - Claire McCardell Swimsuit

Vogue 1953: A Claire McCardell swimsuit in wool jersey. The bodice is styled like a McCardell dress with deep cut sleeves, gilt hooks and eyes, and cord belt.

This swimsuit showed up on EBay this week, and sold for a nice price. The seller didn't know what she had, but the bidders sure did!