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Saturday, July 6, 2013

Vintage Bathing Suit

My husband's gran wore this vintage swimsuit down the shore, probably in her teens. I bet it was  stylish back in the day.

The suit is actually two pieces. A romper style body suit that comes down to the knee, and sleeveless blouse with a belt, that is worn over top. The belt adds a little shape to the waist, has her personal name tag sewn onto it. She may have worn a black bonnet style bathing cap? There is also a men's one piece swim suit, tank top style, and made from wool! My husband's family have worn both swimsuits as a Halloween costumes over the years.  Each of the suits also has a tag number sewn into the collar. Maybe it matched a number on a shore side dressing booth?
There are full length, black, stockings that are worn with this outfit too! One of the five pairs has been hand mended many times. 
 I found a similar swim suit in the Metropolitan Museum collection.
Bathing suit, ca. 1900, Metropolitan Museum Collection
This treasure belongs on display at our local museum!
vintage swim wear Sew Sweet Vintage
Come join the party!
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59 comments:

  1. StephanieJuly 8, 2013 at 12:22 AM

    How fun and stylish :) Thanks for sharing with us and have a great week!

    Hugs!

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    1. SewSweetVIntageJuly 8, 2013 at 3:52 PM

      Awe, thanks! I left my dress form in the dinning room after taking the photos, and when i walk past that room i get the feeling there's a vintage lady in there, lol!

      Delete
  2. Denise @ secondtimearoundfindsJuly 8, 2013 at 12:34 AM

    The suit is great your lucky to have such a great piece of fashion history.
    Denise

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    1. SewSweetVIntageJuly 8, 2013 at 3:53 PM

      Thanks Denise! Gotta contact someone about displaying it!

      Delete
  3. UnknownJuly 8, 2013 at 5:30 PM

    That really belongs in a, museum! Thanks for sharing.

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    1. SewSweetVIntageJuly 10, 2013 at 3:42 PM

      A gal who sells vintage suits talked to my husband and I about selling it:( But, no way. It's crazy amazing!!!! Thanks for visiting!

      Delete
  4. JOY @ http://joysjotsshots.blogspot.com/July 8, 2013 at 5:44 PM

    Stockings!? You gotta be kidding me! Glad you dropped by Joy's Jots, Shots & Whatnots so that I was alerted to come over here and find out folks used to wear stockings with their swim suits. Wow! Thanks for JOYing up too. I appreciate that. Hope I don't let you down. You've got an awesome site here as well and worth following.

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  5. Rachel PaxtonJuly 8, 2013 at 9:04 PM

    That is so cool!! I love vintage things, especially family pieces. ;)

    Rachel @ Maison de Pax

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  6. AnonymousJuly 8, 2013 at 10:54 PM

    This is super cute!!!

    Navy Wifey Peters @ Submarine Sunday Link Party

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  7. Sweet Parrish PlaceJuly 9, 2013 at 12:09 AM

    Wow! Those are awesome!!

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  8. Scent of styleJuly 10, 2013 at 1:56 AM

    Your blog is very interesting! I follow you!
    Have a great day!
    Hugs!!!

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  9. Stone Cottage AdventuresJuly 10, 2013 at 7:54 PM

    Oh, wow! What wonderful suits! -Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures

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  10. Jillian's Bella Rosa AntiquesJuly 10, 2013 at 10:50 PM

    Oh my goodness....ADORABLE! Love it...I have never really seen one like this in "real life" or in the blog world. What an awesome piece of history. It looks so much better than in the black and white type photos. I have pics of my Great Grandmother and her friends at the NJ shore...this gives me an idea to do a post about them sometime.

    Thanks so much for stopping by....I love vintage SEW I will have to follow you!

    Jillian

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    1. SewSweetVIntageJuly 11, 2013 at 1:03 PM

      Thanks Jillian. That would be a cool post. Hope to see it!

      Delete
  11. JunkchiccottageJuly 10, 2013 at 11:09 PM

    Oh love this vintage swim wear. How cute is this post. Thanks for finding me now I have found you. Thanks for your sweet comments on my blog too.
    Kris

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  12. HeARTworksJuly 11, 2013 at 3:48 AM

    How interesting! and so much fun to wear this at the beach ! patsy

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    1. SewSweetVIntageJuly 11, 2013 at 1:08 PM

      A friend suggested to have my 25 year old daughter wear it at the shore and take photos! Hope we can do that this summer!

      Delete
  13. Kadee WillowJuly 11, 2013 at 7:53 AM

    It might be a bit heavy and warm but oh! would it ever cover up the jiggly bits!! LOL And how fortunate to own this jewel! Complete with name tag. Gets you conjuring up all kinds of stories behind the name, doesn't it? Thanks for sharing this gem!

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    1. SewSweetVIntageJuly 11, 2013 at 1:11 PM

      Really, no worries about your figure with this one! But I think it's size 2! Thanks for stopping over:)

      Delete
  14. Kim of Mo BettaJuly 11, 2013 at 9:33 AM

    That is so cool! Not only a piece of history, but it is really neat that it has been saved by the family over the years. I have a couple of things that belonged to my great-grandmother, that I plan to save for my children.

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    1. SewSweetVIntageJuly 11, 2013 at 1:13 PM

      That's so cool! I wish I's saved more from my gran and great aunts! My daughter loves vintage dresses from the 50's and 60's! Thank you for stopping by!

      Delete
  15. EveryDay BloomJuly 11, 2013 at 7:51 PM

    What a treasure! Imagine a swimsuit made from wool. I've been fantasizing about making a vintage swimsuit, but I don't think I'd go back this far unless it were for a Halloween costume, as your family has done with the pair (how cool, a matching pair).

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    1. SewSweetVIntageJuly 14, 2013 at 12:35 PM

      Thanks for visiting:) I've thought about making a suit too. Maybe a style from the 60's!

      Delete
  16. Full Circle CreationsJuly 11, 2013 at 7:51 PM

    So fun and adorable! Although I wouldn't want to wear it in the water...a bit heavy when wet.

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    1. SewSweetVIntageJuly 14, 2013 at 12:36 PM

      Really, two layers, a belt, hat and stockings! A wonder they could swim!

      Delete
  17. Cutesy CraftsJuly 11, 2013 at 9:17 PM

    Super cute! I love vintage things!

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  18. MicupofteaJuly 11, 2013 at 9:24 PM

    This is charming! Love it...I would enjoy wearing it, sans tights, if it were made of cotton. Seriously, all that bare skin revealed today doesn't flatter most people and increases UVA/UVB risk. Too bad we have become a culture of 'less is more' and so many times have little appreciation for using our imagination, like the old B&W movies did with their love scenes. I'm not prudish, just think there is something alluring about NOT letting it all hang out. haha! :)
    This is a family treasure~

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    1. SewSweetVIntageJuly 14, 2013 at 12:39 PM

      I like to wear a modest bikini/two piece suit and wore a tankini recently, and my husband said, "is that a bathing suit?" Men!

      Delete
  19. must love junkJuly 11, 2013 at 9:55 PM

    How great that these have stayed in the family!! :)
    Susan

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    1. SewSweetVIntageJuly 14, 2013 at 12:39 PM

      Wonder if our swim suits will ever be considered vintage?

      Delete
  20. Crane FarmsJuly 11, 2013 at 10:50 PM

    Thanks for visiting my blog! Followed you back! That is an awesome swimsuit!!

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  21. Town and Country GalsJuly 12, 2013 at 9:01 PM

    Michele,
    the suits are fabulous! You're so lucky to have them! Can't imagine wearing them in the heat! Thanks for stopping by!
    Rebecca

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    1. SewSweetVIntageJuly 14, 2013 at 12:41 PM

      Thanks! Can't imagine romping around in one wet either. They must have changed right after getting wet?

      Delete
  22. Highpoint CircleJuly 13, 2013 at 1:41 PM

    Wow, I cannot believe the family saved both of these precious pieces. Thanks for a visit to my place and a sweet comment too.

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    1. SewSweetVIntageJuly 14, 2013 at 12:42 PM

      I'm not the best saver, but things like this make me realize I should be!

      Delete
  23. Donna HeberJuly 13, 2013 at 4:50 PM

    Thank you for taking the time to stop and visit me. As much as I love vintage items I never stopped to think about vintage swim wear. I enjoyed viewing these precious pieces once owned by your grandmother.

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  24. Susan@Organized31July 14, 2013 at 7:49 AM

    How precious that your family has kept these swimsuits. Memories aside, can you imagine swimming in a wool bathing suit?! Thanks for sharing at Inspire Us Thursday.

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    1. SewSweetVIntageJuly 14, 2013 at 12:44 PM

      Yuck, the men still wore the wool at this time! The women's I have is at least cotton and silk:) Thank you for your sweet comments!

      Delete
  25. Missy ShayJuly 15, 2013 at 2:22 PM

    That would be so much fun to wear to the beach, I know I'm crazy! LOL

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    1. SewSweetVIntageJuly 15, 2013 at 4:43 PM

      I'm hoping my daughter will. It's so tiny, I can't get it past my knees:)

      Delete
  26. Angie @ Knick of TimeJuly 15, 2013 at 6:10 PM

    That is fabulous!!! Thanks so much for sharing it at Knick of Time Tuesday - I'll be featuring you tonight at the party and hope you'll also come link up at the Christmas in July party going on now (past and current projects as welcome).
    Anagie @ Knick of Time

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    1. SewSweetVIntageJuly 15, 2013 at 8:10 PM

      Awe, I wonder what Katharine would think of her suit being admired! Thanks so much. Yes, I'd planned on joining your Christmas party! I even added some Christmas items to my Etsy shop!

      Delete
  27. Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. OlsonJuly 16, 2013 at 6:29 PM

    This really is a treasure! Amazing that they hung on to it. Love, love it! Thanks for sharing it with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

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  28. Gina's Craft CornerJuly 18, 2013 at 1:44 PM

    That's so great! You're right, id does belong in a museum!
    Gina

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  29. FlyAwayHomeJuly 28, 2013 at 6:30 AM

    what a treasure!

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  30. UnknownOctober 8, 2014 at 10:02 AM

    Love it, so neat! I'd love it if you shared this on Worthwhile Wednesdays! http://www.craftyallieblog.com/

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  31. UnknownOctober 12, 2014 at 2:37 PM

    It's so fun to see how fashion has changed over the decades! Thank you for sharing at Merry Monday!

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