1930s ladies in Swimsuit
Marie McKenna and Gladys Cooling at Southport, 1938. Source: Flickr-State Library of Queensland

Summer is here and that means it’s Swimsuit season! For this post I have rounded up some of my favorite vintage swimsuits from the internet (1940s-1960s) to inspire, purchase or just admire. Enjoy!


NOTE: Post updated April 2024

If you click on a swimsuit and it’s no longer avail don’t fret, just keep searching. Etsy and eBay are always adding new vintage items on the daily (by the 1000’s).

Disclosure: Some of the links on my blog from Etsy , eBay & Unique Vintage are Affiliate Links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. 


Further Reading:

Vintage Swimsuits Inspiration: 1940’s – 1960’s

Vintage 1950’s CATALINA Umbrella print cotton swimsuit. So cute!

1950s vintage swimsuit -Vintage 1950s CATALINA Umbrella print cotton swimsuit

Source: Etsy – vintage109online

1950’s Rose Pink swimsuit with floral applique (avail as of March 2023 HERE).

1950s Fashion: 1950's Rose Pink Pin Up Style Swimsuit with Floral Applique.

Source: Etsy

Vintage 1950s Skirted Playsuit, Swim Dress by “Rose Marie Reid” with a novelty rose toile print.

1950s fashion: Vintage 1950s Skirted Playsuit, Swim Dress by "Rose Marie Reid" with a novelty rose poile print.

Source: Etsy – GeronimoVintage

A fun 1950s vintage swimsuit with polka dots and a skirt.

1950s vintage swimsuit with polka dots and a skirt. Fun 1950s fashion, maybe early 1960 fashion.

Source: Etsy

Artist Model an Art Knit Original 1940s/1950s Deadstock blue one piece cotton blend swimsuit.

Artist Model an Art Knit Original 1940s/1950s Deadstock NOS w/ Tags Blue One Piece Cotton Blend Swimsuit

Source: Etsy

Vintage 1950s Rose Marie Reid blue one Piece bombshell swimsuit.

Vintage 1950s Rose Marie Reid Blue One Piece Pinup Bombshell Swimsuit

Source: Etsy

1940s to 1950s Swimsuit From Vetrix Bleyle, sold at Harald Löfberg store in Stockholm (see image below).

1940s to 1950s Swimsuit From Vetrix Bleyle
1950s Vintage Clothing store Harald Löfberg store in Stockholm. Image shows woman in the 1950s shopping.

Source: Etsy

Playsuits that turn into swimsuits are fantastic for summer parties, because you only have to worry about one outfit for the whole day. This 1940s beauty is the perfect example.

1940s Swimsuit - 1940s Playsuit
Source: Etsy-jumblelaya

Another Playsuit/Swimsuit from the 1950s. Who does not love Gingham?!

1950s playsuit in black and white gingham
Source: Etsy-traven7

I love details like lovely scalping on the bust of this 1940s swimsuit.

1940s swimsuit
1940s swimsuit. Source-Etsy: TrunkofDresses

This next suit is stunning and so very 1930s. This swimsuit is luxuriously sleek white and silver striped Lastex stretch satin with skinny black pinstriping. Wow! You would turn heads everywhere you went, that is for sure.

1930s swimsuit for women
Source: Etsy-Fabgabs

Ohhhhh I wish this next darling of Marina Del Mar 1950s swimsuit would fit me, it’s just so beautiful. At last it won’t so I will have to wish for it to go to a good home instead. Bummer.

1950s vintage swimsuit -Marina Del Mar
Source: Etsy-jumblelaya

1950s Swimsuits with pleated skirts is the ultimate in style, especially when it looks like it would be good to from the pool to the tennis court. Fantastic!

1950s vintage swimsuit with pleated skirt
Source: Etsy-SoftServeVintage

This 1950s bathingsuit would be perfect for VIVA with its patriotic red/white/blue theme but honestly it could be worn anytime because CUTE is perfect anytime.

1950s vintage swimsuit
Source: Etsy-OrchidRoomVintage

While not the same swimsuit above, this 1950s two piece Jantzen swimsuit is just a cute! Look at those shorts?

1950s Fashion: Rare Vintage Jantzen bathing suit , 2 piece red white and navy swimsuit. Cute vintage bathing suit.

Source: Etsy

Sometimes all a swimsuit needs is a few fantastic details, like this Ivory cream piping scalloped wave pattern with buttons on the below 1950s swimsuit. So pretty.

1950s vintage swimsuit
Source: Etsy-FoxyBritVintage

This 1950s Jantzen Rhinestone beauty is a bit pricey but it’s too stunning to leave on Etsy PLUS it has its vintage ad to match!

1950s Jantzen Swimsuit
Source: Etsy-LakesideVintageColl
1950s Jantzen swinwear ad

Lets not forget the men! Can we all take a moment to revel on how PERFECT these 1950s vintage swim trunks are for the Tiki party? Or for VIVA? WOW!

1950s men vintage swimtrunks
Source: Etsy-MintageClothingCo

Here is another perfect Tiki 1950s Vintage Swimsuit for the guys.

1950s men vintage swim trunks
Source: Etsy-LaurelCanyon1969

And there is the roundup.  Still looking for a suit? Etsy and eBay are always good places to go (as seen above) as well as vintage shops in your hood. 

I have also put together an Etsy Collection of Vintage Swimsuits that is updated monthly (click the highlighted text to the left).


April 2024 Update: Please check out my friends online vintage style clothing shop, SUZIE’S BOMBSHELL CLOTHING for the PRESALE of her vintage style swimsuit (two colours), romper, beach jacket and swing skirt (her collection). It’s fantastic and I would be thrilled if you supported this woman run business in Ontario, Canada.

vintage style swimsuit (two colours), romper, beach jacket and swing skirt from Suzie's Bombshell Clothing.

Now Question Time: Do you own a vintage swimsuit? Or is one on your bucket list? Share any thoughts in the comments section below!

Lastly here is my latest purchase (June 2022 update). A mint condition 1950s Lane Bryant swimsuit. Isn’t it lovely?

A mint condition 1950s Lane Bryant swimsuit.

Liz 🙂