1950s 1-Piece Swimsuit Blue floral Zipper Back Sarong Style Pinup M Medium EUC

Description

Take a stroll down memory lane and envision yourself lounging around the pool or lolling on the sand at the beach in this gorgeous vintage one-piece bathing suit.  In the 1950’s, swimsuits were less about swimming and more about sunbathing and posing like a pin-up, as can be seen in the last black & white vintage poolside shot in the photo gallery.
Swimsuits of the 50s often featured a front panel cutting across the top of the leg in the form of a modesty apron that hid the matching fabric crotch. In later years, the modesty apron style became outdated. Take a look at the 1952 magazine cover illustration included in the photos which shows typical styles of one-piece bathing suits and playsuits from that era.
The swimsuit offered here is a figure enhancing pin-up 50’s style,  with the modesty panel front and elasticized leg opening casings. There is piping down the sides to reinforce an hourglass silhouette. Pleats fan out from the left side seam at the hip, giving the front  panel a sarong look and flattering fit. Bust is enhanced surplice style with side pleats to add fullness, and piping down the center of cups to define shape. The demure sweetheart neckline has detachable straps, each with 4 buttonholes on one end and a single buttonhole on the other, so the swimsuit can be worn strapless, or with straps crossed over in back to form an “X”, or simply with the ends left unfastened and tied up behind the neck for a halter look.  Interior bra construction on this suit has pellon stiffening in the cups but no padding, with side boning and a stretchy smooth lining that has a wide elastic strip below the bust for additional support. The bra cups are about size B/C. The center back metal zip opening has a panel strip underneath it that has two hook and eye closures which keeps the metal zipper away from your skin. Fasten the hook & eye closures to cinch up the suit before zipping for maximum corset-like effect.  There is a candid photo of Marilyn Monroe’s dresser cinching up her bathing suit closures before zipping so that it would be extra form-fitting (photo not included here).
For additional photos and info about 1950’s swimsuits visit vintagedancer website.
The fabric of this swimsuit has 4-way stretch and is printed with large blossoms in shades of dusty blue and periwinkle for a watercolor effect.  The material has a nice weight to it, compared to the light stretch knits in today’s swimsuits. In the mid-century period, swimwear was
constructed with smooth fabrics that hugged a woman’s curves but didn’t show any lumps and bumps by incorporating ruching, pleats and/or smocking.  These fabric tricks camouflaged unsightly rolls and made the bathing beauty look slimmer--techniques still in use today.
This lovely swimsuit is in excellent shape. The colors are slightly muted but there is no apparent fading--the strap ends that were tucked inside the top edge and the hidden fabric crotch piece are the same color intensity as the exterior shell.  The nylon interior crotch lining has a few snags and small repair to the fabric as can be seen in the photo. Size and designer labels were removed by the previous owner, and there are no care instructions. It is suggested that the suit be rinsed as soon as it is taken off after wearing in a swimming pool or spa.  Hand washing is recommended in cool water using mild detergent, with air drying. The zipper works fine and elastic casings have plenty of stretch. No buttons or hook/eye fasteners are missing.
As there is no size label on the swimsuit, please pay particular attention to the measurements below, which were made with the garment laid flat and zipped up.
Measurements are in inches, with horizontal dimensions given unstretched as well as slightly stretched.
Bust, armpit to armpit: 16", stretches to 18"
Under bust: 13.5”, stretches to 14.5”
Waist: 13.5", stretches to 14.5"
Hip: 16", stretches to 18"
Length from top edge, center of bodice, to bottom edge of modesty panel: 20"
Side from underarm to bottom edge: 18.5"
Strap length, end to end: 20"
Length from top of zipper in back to center of crotch: 21”
Circumference of elasticized leg opening - 19.5”, unstretched
Please review the color photos.
The blue swimsuit pictured is what you will receive. Props (shoes, tote, sunglasses, hat, shells, magazine) shown in the photos are not included. Use the magnifier feature on your screen to examine details.  Like most vintage items, this garment shows wrinkling from storage and some wear from prior use. I have photographed the suit in natural light outdoors as well as under interior incandescent lighting. If you want to know more about the swimsuit, please message me before your purchase.
Thanks for checking out this beautiful authentic vintage swimsuit! I purchased it 15 years ago from a vintage shop in Eureka, California, with the intention of losing enough weight so I could wear it. That never happened and the swimsuit has been languishing in my dresser ever since. It’s time for it to be showcased on someone who appreciates the design details and workmanship of mid-century vintage swimwear. With cat-eye sunglasses and Springolator mules, you’d be the cat’s meow!
Shipping & returns:
Get it fast! Ready to ship in 1–2 business days once I receive your cleared payment. Shipping is
free to addresses in continental United States
via USPS Priority mail, including tracking.
If you reside in a foreign country
, please contact me prior to purchase for the cost to ship to your destination, which will include insurance in addition to Priority USPS shipping fee. Shipping costs to foreign destinations vary from place to place and are to be paid for by you in advance. Please message me about this before completing your purchase so that postage costs are covered.
This swimsuit has been hand laundered and is sold "as is.”  Returns are not accepted, unless there has been a significant omission in the description affecting use/wear of the garment.