Catwalk Queen: What swimsuits looked like in 1952

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What swimsuits looked like in 1952 - would you wear them?

Have you started stocking up on (more) swimsuits for your summer holidays? If you haven't, then check out this video for a look at what women were wearing 56 years ago in 1952. These were days before the skimpy bikinis we know of now. There are swimsuits which are called "Heavenly Bodies, because they're out of this world", and a suit called the "Wing Ding, which can be worn up or down for obvious reasons". While this is what people wore over half a century ago, fashion hasn't changed that much when you consider the retro pieces available in stores today. Enjoy!

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Posted by Helen Lee on June 17, 2008 3:15 PM in Swimwear
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Comments

I love that some of those women actually have hips, and some junk in their trunk! And they're allowed to model bathing suits!

My biggest problem with retro suits is that they come down so low on the leg, when I need a higher cut leg to make my stumps look longer. :)

Posted by: Andrea | June 17, 2008 4:18 PM

I would wear them...
They have such lovely figures

Posted by: Ella | June 17, 2008 5:17 PM

Hello from Texas! I was 5 years old in 1952 (ouch!) and remember these suits all too well. I grew up in So. California, where we had a pool and went to the beach often. I hope the new versions of these swimsuits are constructed of lighter weight material. The originals were thick and heavy and had that "modesty panel" across the front. (Times have changed, no?) Esther Williams was probably the only one who actually swam in one of these! I think most of the suits were designed just for sunbathing, not anything atheletic. I guess the same could be said of some of the bikinis currently on the market! Love Catwalk Queen--read it all the time.

Posted by: Melissa | June 17, 2008 5:58 PM

I grew up in So. California in the 1950's and remember these suits all too well! I hope the modern versions are constructed of lighter weight material. The originals were heavy and thick and had that godawful "modesty panel" across the front to hide the naughty bits. I think Esther Williams was the only one who actually swam in one--most were designed just for sunbathing, nothing athletic (heaven forbid girls should do that!) Thank goodness times have changed in that regard. Love Catwalk Queen--read it all the time here in Texas!

Posted by: Melissa | June 17, 2008 6:04 PM

I grew up in California in the 1950's and remember these suits all too well! They were heavy, thick, and not made for doing much of anything other than sunbathing. And that "modesty panel" across the front--yikes! I'm sure the newer versions are more comfortable but, again, if you want to do anything athletic like swimming or surfing, these aren't for you.

Posted by: Melissa | June 18, 2008 12:23 AM

I love the old suits, and I particularly love the skirt/dress/poncho thingy. So much more pleasant than the diaphanous wafts worn over swimsuits in bars currently. Personally, I don't want to have to share my mojito and moules with some stranger's barely concealed belly and buttocks. I think a well cut one-piece is so much more stylish than a bare-it-all Brazilian bikini (helps hide the wobbly bits better, too!)

Posted by: SistaLou | June 18, 2008 1:28 PM

I love 50s style

Posted by: ro-vintage | June 27, 2009 3:21 PM