I still haven’t gotten around to starting on my own, vintage inspired swimsuit, mostly because I haven’t totally made up my mind about the style I want to go with! (Plus, somehow June is slipping away from me and I’ve literally had no time to sew! I’m suffering from withdrawal!) I think I’m 90% sure I want to do a 40s style two piece (it’s just easier with my long torso), but there have been some maillots that are calling my name! lol. So while I continue to waffle (how typical of me!), I thought I’d round up some more inspiration, this time featuring photos of classic film stars sporting their beach wear best! (You can catch up on post #1 and #2 if you missed them.) Today I’m focusing soley on two piece ensembles, and next time it’ll be all maillots. Enjoy!
Of course Ava and Marilyn get their own collages, because not only were they gorgeous gals, but I have a ton of swimsuit pictures of them both!
Aaargh, why can’t you swimsuits like those, nowadays?! I love the high waists.
YEY virginia mayo! I’ve loved her so much since I was a tot.
I love these pictures!!! I finally decided to spend the extra money and buy a vintage-inspired swimsuit, but it’s no match for the real thing!
From Carys of La Ville Inconnue
Golly, these are marvelous! They really knew how to make a nice swimsuit back in the day. I do not have a bikini body, nor a real desire to wear one–but *these* are the kind of two pieces I love. I’ve worn vintage maillots from this period that are wonderful.
These swimsuits are gorgeous! And didn’t women have lovely figures back then? I hate seeing photos of celebrities on the beach these days as they just make me feel so fat (even though I am not!). But these women look so healthy and normal, and they really knew how to dress to flatter their figures. String bikinis really aren’t that flattering, but that’s what most people tend to wear, and is most commonly available in shops. Oh, I need to find a vintage swimsuit and I might actually have the confidence to sunbathe on the beach!
Have you seen the Lolita Girl bathing suits?
http://www.lolitagirlstore.com/bathing-suits.html
I just came across them yesterday — they look like vintage one-pieces but they’re all two-piece! Genius idea for those of us with the long torsos. It’s been years since I had anything but girly rashguards but these are tempting me to buy or copy.
Ooh! i love old swimsuits. i have yet to own one (:
Love,
vintage-birdy.blogspot.com
{no, it’s not about birds}
I love looking at vintage swimsuits. They are so flattering. I would love so much to own one. I should break down and make one one of these days.
I have tagged you in a game of eight questions. I hope that you will play along. Please come to my blog to read the answers to the questions that were asked of me so that you can learn more about me and to get your questions. I look forward to reading your answers and learning more about you. I have tagged you because I have been enjoying your blog very much.
Trudy
http://sewingwithtrudy.blogspot.com/2010/06/do-not-read-this-post-trust-me-you-wont.html
Love! Something so elegant about the highwaisted swim suit.
Marilyn wore this really great avocado/lime green bikini in one of her shoots with Andre de Dienes and it is one of my favorites. The bottoms have this wrap detail that is really interesting. Have you seen it? Not sure if it is your style but I like it so I thought I would mention it!
http://www.modcloth.com/store/ModCloth/Womens/Swimwear
These have been catching my eye-I wish I could make one though!
Wow! This is so inspiring! I used to not like the “diaper” bathing suit look, but now after seeing these I think I’ve changed my mind. Thank you, Casey, for the inspiration!
Love the photos of Marilyn!
eek! I want so many of these!!!!!!!
Gorgeous inspiration pics! I love how glamorous these women look, they even have lipstick on at the pool! Plus they look like real women, not teenage girls with boy-bodies. Bring back the retro suit!
I hope you have time to sew yourself a vintage suit before summer ends
I own three vintage bathing suits. One is a 40s two piece & it’s very flattering. i’m going to buy a repro though because I’m scared of ruining them. please enter my blog giveaway
Vintage swim suits are so adorable. I love these.
I love these suits! I know I have found one (had I lived back then) that didn’t have me popping out everywhere, unlike when I try and find a modern one!
Such lovely photos! I wish I owned every single one!
I like the one on the top left. It’s different, I haven’t really seen one with that tie detail before.
Those are gorgeous! I definitely want to to try and make something like one of those.
Don’t they look lovely?
I’m not sure that the high-waisted style would look good on me, but I do love seeing those ladies and how fabulous they look!
Marilyn has always been one of my favorites.
how will you ever choose which style to make? I look at one and think, oh that is so cute, then there is another that is so cute.
I think the stars of yesterday really had more “style”.
These swimsuits are gorgeous. Looks so feminine. I wish I had one like Monroe.
Fabulous!!! These are just remarkable!
Love this post, love these pictures, absolutely adore!!!
Everyone is correct in that this era was an era of glamour like never before and I doubt that the future bears any competition!
What I love about pictures of women wearing vintage swimsuits is the fact that the women are not p-e-r-f-e-c-t-l-y toned– some even have a bit of pudge around the middle, and yet they look fabulous!
Allison Elizabeth♥
i want them all.