Vintage Swimwear, Swimsuits, Bathing Suits, Trunks, Malliots and more!

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Golden Age of Glamourous Swimwear

We have a passion for vintage swimwear and swimsuits that span the decades from the 1920's though the 1980's. Come join us for a romp through the ages in celebrating vintage bathing suit fashion, history of styles, brands, and the bombshell models who made it so easy on the eyes!

Swimwear Makers and Brands 

Some of our favorite swimsuit manufacturers:
  • Jantzen
    Catalina
    Cole of California
    DeWeese Design
    Kamehameha
    Alfred Shaheen
    Roxanne
    Maxine
    Speedo
    Mabs of Hollywood

The Jantzen Diving Girl 

Jantzen has long been a recognized brand in Swimsuit history. The Jantzen Diving girl leapt from the cover of a 1920 catalogue to make a sensational splash on ground breaking billboard advertisements and as a sometimes-banned decal on millions of car windshields. The Jantzen Diving Girl has gone through an evolution in her style to keep up with the times. She has been used in advertising and on company promotional materials since the 1920's. Jantzen patented her image in 1924. By the 1940's she was one of the most recognizable symbols in the world. She was embroidered or sewn on Jantzen swimsuits for over 60 years.

Vintage Clothing and Fashion Links 

Some of our favorite vintage clothing, research and fashion links, hand picked expecially by glamoursurf.
Vintage Resource Links
Vintage Resource links is a Vintage Fashion Web Directory that offers links to a wealth or rescources to help you identify, care and research information on vintage fashion and clothing;
including vintage by decade, designers & labels, care & conservation for vintage clothing, vintage shows,
and various tools to help you identify or recreate your own vintage style.
Vintage Fashion Guild Label Resource
Research your favorite Vintage Fashion Labels
Jantzen Swimwear
Search the timeline under 'Our heritage' tab for a great romp through Jantzen's colorful history of swimwear.
Glamorous Vintage Swimwear & Lingerie
Need we say more?
GlamourSavvy
Fashionable vintage clothing, dresses, seperates and outerwear for men and women.

Some of our favorite Blogs! 

A Dress A Day
Erin always has fun with dresses!
She's a Betty
Extensive links and a great vintage blog!
Vintage Style Files
Theresa's got style!
CoutureAllure
Jody has such beautiful vintage and a way with words too!
DeniseBrain
Denise is so cute and has lovely presentation!
Lizzies Travel Journal
Fun with Lizzie!
Vintage Fashion Guild Blog
Need we say more?
Vintage Detail
For the vintage fashion connoisseur.
Glamoursplash
A blog with a daily splash of vintage swimwear, fashion, news, designer profiles and all things retro.

Great Stuff on Amazon 

Sunkissed: Sunwear and the Hollywood Beauty

Amazon Price: (as of 07/10/2009) Buy Now

Swimsuit Sweeties (Artist Archives)

Amazon Price: (as of 07/10/2009) Buy Now

Swimsuit Model Photography

Amazon Price: $26.95 (as of 07/10/2009) Buy Now

Swimsuits of the 1950s: An Advertising Survey (Archives of Advertising)

Amazon Price: (as of 07/10/2009) Buy Now

The History of the Swimsuit 

Swimsuits through the times

Swimsuits from the beginning

In the Beginning God Created the Swimsuit

Gorgeous swimwear models chronicle the evolution of the bathing suit to the swimsuit from the Garden of Eden to the present day, a metaphor for the struggle for womens' equality. Emmy winner Neal Marshad directed and produced the film featuring designers Oscar de La Renta, Anne Cole, etc. http://marshad.com

Runtime: 24:40
6308 views
1 Comments:

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Find the Best Swim suit for your body shape 

Everyone can look good in a bathing suit, you just have to know what you want to emphasize and what you don't.

Here are some quick tips to help identify the type of swimwear that can empahsize or de-emphasize your body shape.

Do you have Short Legs?

If you want to lengthen the look of short legs, look for a one two piece swimsuit that lengthens them. Find a swimsuit that is cut high on the leg openings to help lengthen the look of your leg. Many 1980's swimsuits are cut high on the hips.

Do you have Wide Hips?

Look for boy shorts to camouflage the problem or try a one piece that sits high on the thighs. This will lengthen the legs and draw the eye away from the hip area.

Do you have a Small Bust?

Look for a top that lifts the bust. These usually come with straps that tie around the neck or go for that classic halter style. Deep V cut open front suits will also help pull the eye to the waistline.
Tops that offer a little padding will help in this area as well.

Do you have a Long Torso?

Tankinis are perfect for you. Unlike a bikini, the longer top disguises the fact that you are long and lean. If Tankinis aren't too your liking, look for a swimsuit that sits high on the leg. This will emphasise their length instead of your torso. Some vintage 50's swimsuits by Rose Marie Reid were made for the taller longer torso gal. Look for ones labeled 'Magic Lengths'.

Do you have a Thick Waistline?

Tankinis work for you too. Or check out one pieces that are all one dark color. Patterns running on an angle can give the illusion of a narrow waist as well. Sarong style suits will also help accentuate the waistline. They will cinch you in quite nicely.

Do you have a Short Torso?

One piece swimsuits with a high cut neckline will stretch you out and make you look just like a model! Or look for a two piece that will sit low on your hips.

Do you have a Tummy?

Look for suits that offer a mask coverup that covers the problem area. You might also look for suits that built-in tummy support inthe lining or in the fiber itself. Many vintage 50's style swim suits have a modesty panel, a straight cut panel that extends accross the front of the tummy, and offers girdle like support.

New Guestbook 

dawnsantiquesandmore wrote...

Great lens!!! I gave you a 5*.

ReplyPosted July 01, 2007

by Glamoursurf

Make a Splash Baby!


Hi, my name is Pam, owner of Glamoursurf and GlamourSavvy.


I adore vintage fashion, especially vintage swimwear. As a colle...

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