Monday, January 4, 2010

Purls of the Sea, Part II

My dreams of escape to a remote tropical destination for a deco-bedecked vintage holiday continue; to wit, Fuzzy Lizzie has posted some colour pics of several unbelievable surviving examples of real 1930s knit bathing suits. Here are a couple of my favourites: the first, an Elsa Schiaparelli design-inspired swimsuit from 1928 (yes, Schia did design some bathing suits and this is an early knockoff) and the second a fabulous brown and yellow suit from 1932. Hmm...I'm getting ideas for how to beat the winter blues!








PS: FabGabs and Quincy of Q's Daydream have reasonably priced 20s-30s knit bathing suits in their Etsy shops as well, if you'd rather not have to knit and purl your ocean pearl of a vintage swim suit!

14 comments:

Yesterday Girl said...

Wow! Love them both, specially the second one. I often wonder what happened to the fabric when one frolicked in the sea? Would it go all baggy, because surely they weren't waterproof? Or are they just designed for posing on the beach? I'm loving these seaside themed posts.x

Unknown said...

I love both of this suits! Tahnk you for the great tip!

Kori said...

Wow these are too cute! so stylish! Kori xoxo

Stefanie Valentine said...

Wonderful costumes! I too have wondered about the soggyness of the costumes when they go into the sea! x

Anonymous said...

Great post! You're hitting all of my weaknesses - beach pajamas, now bathing suits! I don't take my 20s or 30s suits into the sea or pool water anymore, but used to before realizing that they are too precious to risk ruining- they hold up fine when wet, and aren't as heavy as you would think - especially the 30s Lastex ones. My cousin and I still wear them out, but just for lounging (or frolicking).

B-b-b-etty said...

my oh my the blue one is a dream!

The Dreamstress said...

Oooh la la! That blue swimming suit is definitely an incentive to learn to knit, though perhaps I could cheat it with really good knit merino wool fabric and some clever appliqueing. So many things to sew…so little time!

Sydney B. said...

Absolutely amazing!

XO,
Syd

Q's Daydream said...

those tow suits are amazing!!! Thanks for mentioning my shop! :o)

The Glamorous Housewife said...

The first one is by far my favorite. So cute!

Thanks doll,
The Glamorous Housewife

Francy said...

These are fantastic! LOVE the blue one, especially.

BaronessVonVintage said...

I think if I got one of these beauties (the blue one being my favourite also), I'd keep it out of water, as suggested by the 1930s Girls About Town. Good to know they are actually not that heavy! I wonder, though: are they scratchy? Do they hold their shape quite well when wet? Glad y'all are amused by my vintage resort wear obsession! ;)

BaronessVonVintage said...

Yesterday Girl, essentially, I share your queries!

Dreamstress: I double dare you to make one! ;)

Syd, Q, Glamorous Housewife, Francy: ditto on the suit love (esp. the blue one): thank you for stopping by!

Andi B. Goode said...

That first one almost actually makes me want to cry, it's so beautiful!
-Andi x