Vintage 1952 Cole of California Swimwear: Heavenly Bodies

Vintage swimsuits by Cole of California have wonderful details and design. This set from 1952 is featured as "Heavenly Bodies". Both show lines of elastic shirring in the back panel (which probably has a center zipper as well). The front is probably darted, lined and has boning to create the corset shaping. The bright print with cuffed sweet heart edge are classic to the era. From the ad details:

Swimsuits designed to make any "body" more heavenly. One conceals, one reveals.
Left, the slim-skirted wonder of the year. Wraps around to adjust to almost any figure and sleek away inches.
Right, molded version to dreamline your curves.
In vibrant fine cottons, elasticized with Matletex.
Each $12.95 at fine stores.

Here's a closer view to show off that great look.  The strapless fitted style has a sheath front for modesty, and there is shirring across the 'tummy' area.  The wrap skirt style has a similar bodice but probably has shorts under that skirt.

Vintage 1950s Swimwear: Surf Togs and Beaunit Fabric

Vintage 1950's swimwear owes it's molded, corset style to great innovations in textiles suitable for beach and pool. One brand, Beaunit Fabric, produced fashionable satins that could stretch by using elastic fibers.

This industry ad from a spring 1951 issue of "California Stylist" also promotes the "Surf Tog" label, showing a princess seam line strapless swimsuit that would have had a zipper down the center back. It has dress maker details including a cuffed sweet heart neckline with bow and a modest sheath skirt to cover the upper leg.

Lanz Swimsuit from the 1960's: A Closer Look

This cute pink cotton swim suit by Lanz Originals is from the early 1960's. It has several features that help to create the fitted silhouette. It was cut with a bodice that has princess seamlines. Each has been boned to help the bodice stay in place. The front buttons are faux, since there is a metal zipper in the back.

The bottom shorts also have princess seamlines (in the back) that help to shape the fit. These are cut with darts in the front. Because cotton shorts can't be cut to fit skin tight like a knit, there are simple cotton bloomers as lining (for modesty).

California fashion with the Lanz brand was a high end junior label that was most popular in the post WWII era through the late 1960's. The company was mostly a dress line known for its simple silhouettes in Swiss cotton prints that were accented by trims such as ric-rack, piping, bows, velvet ribbon and rows of tiny buttons (most often covered to match). Their sportswear tended to carry over the dress quality into sport garments like this swimsuit.

The details seen in this swimsuit are identical to the dresses that this label produced, including the tiny buttons, piped seamlines and the pastel cotton mini-print. It is likely that a white cotton shirt was included as a coverup.

This dress maker style of swimwear was popular throughout the 1940's, 50's and early 60's when many suits were made from woven cotton fabrics. This swim suit is fully lined in white cotton, which will prevent 'show through' while swimming, and keep the seam lines from unraveling later. The fitted and boned bodice would keep the figure looking fashonably trim as well, whether wet or dry.

Here are some views that show the details more clearly.