2010 (37)
Bathing Suit Ready
It seems like no sooner do the Valentine's cards appear on the shelf, than bathing suits start to appear on mannequins. It's a reminder that as frigid as the temps may be, the bathing suit season is never far away. I've traditionally hated shopping for a new suit, but since the last few years have brought the one piece back in style, I have rejoiced and found a few vintage style suits that flatter my vintage style shape.
I'm focusing one piece bathing suits here because I'm not really a fan of grown women showing their tummies (unless they have amazing abs) and most grown women I know, wouldn't want to anyway. I just love looking at old pictures of Marilyn Monroe and other stars of her time wearing these amazing one piece bathing suits, looking classy and sexy. I really love how my one-piece suit gives me proper support. I can swim and run around having fun with the kids without worrying about anything "popping out" or feeling like I should be sucking in.
I've hunted around and I think I've found a great collection of vintage style suits for decent prices. Most of these suits are around $40 - $150, which I think is a great bargain for something you'll wear again and again. You can find suits for cheaper, but I don't think fading colors and pilling fabric are worth the discount. I bought a Carman Marc Valvo Strapless Suit for $150 two summers ago and it still looks like new, even after countless lake trips.
Classic Pink Cherry Sheath - $72 - mybabyjo.com
Shape FX - Shirred Retro Swimdress - $49 - newportnews.com
Esther Williams - Retro Sheath One Piece - $69 - liesureforwomen.com
Spiegel - Plunge Neck Halter Suit - $49 - spiegel.com
Delias* - Solid Boy Short One Piece - $44.50 - delias.com
Retro Swimwear - Leopard One Piece - $82 - babygirlboutique.com
Spiegel - Shirred Halter Swimdress - $39 - spiegel.com
I hope this list has been an encouragement to find your inner glamour puss and stop dreading the bathing suit search!
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Retro Threadz - Mary | January 16, 2010, 12:19 pm | http://www.retrothreadz.etsy.com Sweetest ever. I love vintage fashion . Here is a cute pinup swimsuit http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=27670519 -
Sheila | January 16, 2010, 12:31 pm | http://twitter.com/sheasy Thank you, thank you, thank you! I've been looking for a vintage suit FOREVER! Loving the leopard...
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Wink | January 16, 2010, 2:23 pm | http://tiddleywink.etsy.com Those "classic sheath" swimsuits at mybabyjo.com ARE the Esther Williams suits. They're a reseller. I'm not positive about babygirlboutique, but I think it's the same deal. If you're really strapped for cash, Target has a very cute black swimsuit for $35 ($44 in plus sizes), available in more colors online: http://www.target.com/Merona-Bandeau-Shirred-One-Piece/dp/B001JA2EP4 I did a shoot with a gal who was wearing the black one, and it was quite fetching.
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erin | January 16, 2010, 2:57 pm | urbanitystudio.com Wink - not sure I agree with you about the reseller info. I own the Esther Williams leopard suit. The print and the straps are different from the babygirlboutique.com - you could be right about mybabyjo.com, but the cuts don't look exactly the same to me. Great tip about Target though -- they always have great bargains!
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