Much of 1950s style was flirty, feminine, unabashedly open for business. Not this swimsuit. This is the thinking girl's beachwear, belonging to the subtle siren reading a hefty book under a large hat. The suit is by Cole of California, famous for its fun-in-the-sun fashions, so we can imagine the in-house designer who produced this was an individualist, a low-key beatnik, maybe, the one who had all the newest jazz albums stacked on a turntable in a bare-bones apartment.
The cotton print on this suit is so dark that it practically absorbs light. Up close it is a geometric design that integrates ancient shapes like paisleys and stained-glass patterns in a palette of royal blue, ochre, green, and ashes of roses. There is skinny blue piping across the boned and ruched bust, and again at the waist. The sides are elasticized. The bottom half of the suit is long and loose, looking at first like a skirt, but in fact it is shorts, which makes it perfect not just for swimwear but also as an out-and-about romper. That area has a synthetic lining with a more snug fit. There is a metal zipper at the back, and the straps attach to the bodice via buttons, adjustable with straight or criss-cross options.
Condition is very good. The only issues are a small worn area on the inside (as shown) and the elasticized areas on either side of the torso are stretched out.
Measurements are taken with the garment lying flat, as follows:
Waist (seam to seam, doubled): 30”
Bust (seam to seam, doubled): 36"-38”
Length (top of bust to bottom of shorts): 23.5"
A NOTE ABOUT OUR VINTAGE ITEMS:
We deal in true vintage clothing and accessories (1930s through 1980s). However, there are occasional exceptions for items we like that are newer, but have a vintage sensibility. In those listings, we will clearly state that the items are retro, not vintage. Also, even though 1990s is technically vintage, we will refer to those items as “newer vintage”. Some items have minor flaws and/or signs of age. We’re listing those items “as is”, at a bargain price, instead of taking on minor mending or spot cleaning ourselves. We do our best to describe all items accurately, and include a photo of areas that have flaws or might need attention. Still, there may be other miscellaneous signs of wear – after all, many of our items are over 50 years old, and as we all know, a few imperfections are inevitable at that age. Please ask if you need more specific info or additional photos.
A NOTE ABOUT VINTAGE SIZING:
Vintage sizes are completely different from modern sizes. If we have left a size tag in a vintage garment, please ignore it and refer to the measurements provided, instead. We try to be accurate in our measurements, but we could be off by a half-inch or so. If it might be a borderline fit for you, please contact us for more details about the cut of the garment and/or for more measurements. We want you to be happy with your purchase, and look fabulous wearing it.
A NOTE ABOUT OUR PRICING:
We list most of our items as “buy it now” with the option to make an offer. Our stock is carefully selected and researched, and our pricing is very reasonable. However, we want to be able to work with you, and offer discounts on items that have been listed for a while. We are open to all reasonable offers, but please don’t offer us only a small fraction of our stated price.
A NOTE ABOUT RETURNS:
Under most circumstances, we do not accept returns, so please shop carefully. We try our best to be accurate in our descriptions and measurements. However, we recognize that, occasionally, things can go wrong. If we have made an error in the description, there’s a flaw that went unnoticed, etc., let us know and we’ll do our best to work out a fair deal for a return or refund.
A NOTE ABOUT SHIPPING:
For convenience, we are using eBay’s estimated shipping calculator. However, in some cases, the rates seem high for the actual item. We will work with you to keep your shipping costs down. If the actual cost is less than expected, we will refund the difference. If you prefer overnight, or other alternative shipping, we’re happy to accommodate your preference. We also offer local pick up at our shop in New Haven, CT. We try to reuse and recycle packing materials whenever possible.
Please browse our other listings for more vintage beauties.