Picture Marilyn Monroe in the infamous red vintage bathing suit she wore in How to Marry a Millionaire. The picture was released several times over the years and is so sexy that it still graces Marilyn Monroe calendars today. Betty Grable peeks sweetly over her shoulder in her classic shot in white vintage swimwear and high heels, allowing male admirers a long look at her shapely behind. The Notorious Betty Paige poses seductively in her suit on a beach during a New York summer photo shoot.
The two things all of these gorgeous women had in common were their fame and their ability to fill out 1950s vintage bathing suits like no one else. There were other good things about those bombshell 1950’s bathing suits. They usually had a tummy panel to suck in that little belly a busty woman tended to cart around. And for the not so well-endowed girl, padded bras were the order of the day with the suits. They enhanced the hourglass shape a woman needed to fill out the suit and turn heads.
 ESCADA Vintage Hapa Chico Recycled 1980s Bathing Suit Swimwear Yellow White 38 8 US $90.00 |
 VINTAGE 50s HALTER swim BATHING SUIT mod PIN UP sassy US $125.00 |
 VTG 60s Purple Floral Psychedelic print Deweese Bathing Swim Suit S 12 34 Pinup US $98.00 |
 VTG REVERSIBLE MOSAIC RED 1960S SWIMSUIT Bathing Suit TOP WoW Must C US $49.99 |
 VTG 50S 60S TORI RICHARD Atomic BOMBSHELL halter romper bathing SUIT 6 MAD MEN US $61.00 |
 Sz S NEW VTG 50s Floral Ivory Brown Gray JANTZEN NOS PinUp SWIMSUIT BATHING SUIT US $225.00 |
 VINTAGE 1920s 1930s WOMENS BATHING SWIM SUIT Navy Blue Knit Tan Stripes US $9.00 |
 Vintage 1950s Jantzen Swim Suit Bathing Suit US $19.99 |
 Sz S M NOS Vtg 60s 70s MOD Stripe TERRYCLOTH HOODED SWIMSUIT Beach New COVERUP US $55.00 |
 VINTAGE SWIMSUIT PLAYSUIT “MOTHER NATURE KISSES” SZ S M US $13.49 |
 VINTAGE 1950S RETRO SWIMSUIT COVER UP BY DARLENE NEW WITH TAGS US $7.55 |
 Vintage B Designer 2 Pc Bikini Womens Knit Off White V Neck Swimsuit Swim Wear US $200.00 |
 Vintage Gottex Lycra Blue Neon Pink Swimsuit New With Tags Sz 14 US $19.99 |
 VTG 1920s NAVY BLUE WOOL ONE PIECE SWIMSUIT LRG RARE US $125.00 |
 tank SWIMSUIT bathing COSTUME one piece SWIM DRESS pinup BRA pinup 18 robby len US $9.99 |
 VTG 60s GABAR Jumper Romper Skirt Swimdress Swimsuit 16 US $85.00 |
Fast forward to the present day. Vintage clothing is growing steadily more popular and with what is usually bargain basement prices it’s no wonder. Classic styles really and truly never do go out of style, it just takes the right type of person to wear things like vintage evening dresses and wear them well. If vintage is your thing and you are insistent upon finding a 1950’s vintage bathing suit you are sure to look like a bombshell when you wear it onto the beach or at poolside. Finish the look with a pair of vintage aviator sunglasses and wedge heels and there won’t be a head that doesn’t turn when you walk by.
Whatever your choice, there is something vintage or with a vintage flair for just about every body type and for men and women.
That said, if you are determined to acquire his and her retro swimwear, try the following resources:
1. Used clothing stores.
2. Thrift clothing stores.
3. Discount clothing stores.
There are vintage style bathing suits for women that are becoming quite popular. These aren’t actual vintage bathing suits. The good thing about these suits is that you get the look but they haven’t been worn by anyone else. There are several stores that are now carrying the 1950’s bathing suit style for women, except they are a little higher cut in the thigh than the vintage version to add a leggier appearance.
Private women’s boutiques – now and then you might find an exclusive boutique such as Heidi Klein that sports beautiful vintage style bathing suits for women. The suits also have a sweetheart neckline, padded bra and somewhat high cut leg line. The only problem with a boutique is that the suits tend to be quite pricey, unlike a department store franchise.
Upscale Department Stores - two great examples are Henri Bendel and Bloomingdale’s. Exclusive to the United States anyone living elsewhere will have to place their order online. All bathing suits including vintage style start around $120.00.
