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LouieBathing Beauties
August 31st 2007 06:04
Bathing Beauty Esther Williams
Swimming costumes, bathers, togs, swimsuits or just 'cossie'; all names for the nylon / cotton / lycra combination we like to slip into when we go to the beach or to the pool to dip our bodies into water and have a paddle around.
Siren in Swimwear - Anita Ekberg
Combining 1950's modesty with celebrity sass, ladies around the world wanted to look glamourous by donning star style swimsuits and sunnies, and posed for happy snaps in pinup style; on the beach towel, holding a cool drink, or standing by the waterside.
Stop Staring! Two Piece Black Swimsuit - Bernie Dexter - image from stopstaringclothing.com
In the movies, Esther Williams was the most well known bathing beauty. Olympic swimmer turned cheesecake photo pinup, she pioneered synchronised swimming as Broadway musical entertainment. These days she has her own line of swimwear, purchasable online, with a distinct retro flavour paying homage to the styles from her heyday.
Esther Williams A Line Swim Dress - image from esther-williams.com
Modern day swimwear of this ilk is easy to come by as many designers look back to previously popular styles for current collections. Bird Motel currently has a one-piece design in stock from Tigerlily called “Audrey” which has a unique tuxedo feel to the boy-leg styles of the era.
Pinup Couture Two Piece Gidget Bikini Black Cherry - image from pinupgirlclothing.com
Thanks to the retro revivalists and vintage lovers worldwide, reproductions of 50’s styles in bathing suits are available to purchase on the web, particularly popular in the US. Given that second-hand purchases for swimwear are not a hygienically feasible option, for girls who want to add a bit of cheesecake to their beachwear, this is your best bet.
Babygirl Boutique Leg Avenue Two Piece Bikini - image from babygirlboutique.com
Found in the boy-legs, often with a ‘skirt’, you can find some great one-pieces at sites like Pinup Girl Clothing, Babygirl Boutique and Stop Staring!. Often modelled by the currently popular pin ups like Bernie Dexter, Masuimi Max and Cherry Dollface, you can also grab a cute 50’s inspired bikini from sites like this, in a pretty polka dot or cherry print.
Stop Staring! Wrap Bathing Suit - image from daddyos.com
Grab yourself a pretty cossie from one of these collections, a pair of retro sunglasses, a Hawaiian sarong wrap and a cocktail in a nice big tiki glass.
You’ll be fit for your own cheesecake portrait!
The Original - Esther Williams
PS. My apologies to those of you who check on Thursdays for my Fashion in Film post. I had an emergency babysitting requirement yesterday which prevented me from writing my post. I will get to it over the weekend. Cheers!
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