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).

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.

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.

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

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.

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?

Liz 🙂

As I entered the world of vintage several years ago, I stumbled upon a vintage beauty in illustrated form, whose style and beauty took my breath away. She was simply stunning and I would yearn for her early days wardrobe (1940s-early 1960s) every time I saw her images. Her name was Katy Keene.

Katy Keene Paper Doll - Vintage Comic Character. — Source: bennypdrinnon

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

“Katy Keene”- America’s Illustrated Queen of Pin-Ups and Fashions

History of Katy Keene

Created by American illustrator Bill Woggon (1911-2003), Katy Keene made her debut in issue no. 5 of Wilbur (Archie Comics) in 1945, appeared in subsequent issues of Wilbur and various anthology comic series in the 1940s including Archie, Jughead, Betty and Veronica andGinger, eventually receiving her own title in 1949 which ran for 12 years. The character also appeared as a paper doll both in the comic book and in a separate publication series.

Wilbur comic book -, Katy Keene made her debut in issue no. 5 of Wilbur (Archie Comics) in 1945, appeared in subsequent issues of Wilbur and various anthology comic series in the 1940s — Source: My comic shop

Her debut cover-1949.

Vintage Comic Book: katy Keene issue 1 1949. Stylish 1940s Fashion Illustrations. — Source: My comic shop

After the early 1960s Katy was not seen again till the 1980s where she was revived, first with the Katy Keene Fan Magazine, which ran 18 issues until 1983 and then with Archie Comics officially reviving the character in that same year. The 90s saw her retire again, only to be reintroduced in 2005 for 10 more stories.

Vintage Comic Book: 1983 Katy Keene comic book featuring 1980s fashions. — 1983 Katy Keene. Source: My comic shop

She is now officially out of print/retired (source). BUT a new TV show, called “Katy Keene” is set to be released soon from the CW. See the trailer below. (January 2023 Update-The Show was sadly cancelled).

Who was Katy?

Katy was a young model/actress/singer who was drawn to reflect the fashionable female image of America’s postwar period: less exotic ‘pin-up’, more girl next door – but with the ambition and drive to make it as a successful career woman.

Supporting Characters:

Katy had a younger redheaded, bespectacled sister named “Sis“.

Katy’s rival in her career and love life is the wealthy and snobby blonde Gloria Grandbilt and her best friend is the superstitious redhead Lucki Lorelei. Both Gloria and Lucki are also successful models, with the level-headed brunette Katy rounding out the trio.

Vintage Comic Book: katy Keene comic book with gloria. Katy's rival in her career and love life is the wealthy and snobby blonde Gloria Grandbilt and her best friend is the superstitious redhead Lucki Lorelei. Both Gloria and Lucki are also successful models, with the level-headed brunette Katy rounding out the trio. — Source: Etsy

Inside of Katy Keene you could also find, Lucky Red Lorelei Paper Doll Fashions!

Lucki Lorelei from Katy Keene paper doll — Source: Pinterest

Her regular boyfriends over the years tended to be muscular boxer K.O. Kelly and his rich blonde rival Randy Van Ronson.

Vintage Comic Book: Katy Keene featuring 1950s fashions on the cover and her "boyfriends".

Fun Fact:

Her comics were interactive in that readers were encouraged to submit original drawings of outfits and accessories for her and her friends to wear, as well as designs for automobiles, homes, interiors, rocket ships, trailers and boats. These designs were used in the comics with credit given to published submissions (source).

Woggon established a loyal fan base, many of whom went on to become established designers in their own right (names include Anna Sui and Betsey Johnson) (source).

Vintage 1950s Comic Book-Katy Keene featuring 1950s fashions / 1950s Pinup fashion illustrations. — Source: Etsy

Now since this is the Vintage Inn and my main focus is Mid-Century lets take a peak at the insanely wonderful fashion of Miss Katy and her friends (some which have already been seen above).

Vintage Comic Book: katy Keene Annual — Source: Comic Vine

1950s Katy Keene Comic Book With Paper Dolls inside. More fantastic fashions on the cover!

1950s Vintage Katy Keene Comic Book With Paper Dolls featuring 1950s fashions on the cover.

Source: Etsy

Glorious 1950s hats!

1950s vintage comic book featuring Katy Keene. The magazine cover has 1950s hats on the cover and 1950s fashions.

Source: Etsy

What wonderful hats! They would be perfect for the Ascot or a Hats and Horseshoe event.

Vintage Comic Book: Katy Keene comic book 1950s — Source: My comic shop

Vintage Comic Book: Katy Keene comic strip with boyfriends — Source: My comic shop

1950s ‘Katy Keene Spectacular’ First Issue. Features Katy paper dolls, pin-ups, stunning 1950s fashions and more!

1950s vintage comic book of Katy Keene featuring paper dolls, pinups and comic strips.

Source: Etsy

Here is a peak inside….THOSE HATS!!! Stunning!

1950s katy keene comic book inside featuring a fashion illustration of 1950s hats and 1950s fashions.

Source: Etsy

Katy Keen # 21-Mar 1955. Love Katy’s tie up top and slim pants. So very Rockabilly like.

1950s vintage comic book-Katy Keene # 21 featuring 1950s Rockabilly / Pinup style fashions on the cover.

Source: Etsy

Here are some of her famous paper dolls.

Vintage Comic Book: Katy Keene Paper Doll — Source: Out of this world blog

Last fact– Did you know that the singer Katy Perry has been documented saying that her look is taken from our very own Katy Keene. Here is some Proof.

katy Keene and Katy Perry — Source: buzzio

Question time: Did you ever read Katy Keene? Do you have a favorite Katy and friends outfit? Do tell!

Would you like to own a Katy Keene Comic Book? I have created a collection on Etsy of vintage ones for sale as of May 25th, 2022 and you can find that HERE.

Now I’m off to figure out how to make her wardrobe mine. Ta Ta for now!

Liz 🙂

Month: August 2015

Vintage Swimsuits-The Roundup

Vintage Swimsuits Inspiration: 1940’s – 1960’s

“Katy Keene”- America’s Illustrated Queen of Pin-Ups and Fashions

“Katy Keene”- America’s Illustrated Queen of Pin-Ups and Fashions

History of Katy Keene

Here are some of her famous paper dolls.