Friends and longterm followers will know I’m a huge fan of pin-up inspired style (in fact, I love just about any look from the 30s to the early 60s). Retro swimwear, in particular, is something of a speciality of mine. I’m so excited that after years of nothing but skimpy triangle bikinis and badly-fitting styles, brands are slowly branching out into vintage-inspired pieces. Swimsuits are no longer the frumpy option which is great news for those who prefer a bit of extra coverage.
In fact, 40s-inspired cossies with ruched detail, concealed panels and pull-down skirted styles are becoming a really stylish alternative to the modern bikini, and the best news is this style looks much better on a curvier woman than it does on someone with no hips! Think Marilyn Monroe on a beach in her white swimsuit – this is all about voluptuous glamour.
Red or Dead are the latest to jump on the retro bandwagon, with a capsule collection of swimwear set to launch later this month. I saw samples of these at a pop-up shop opening a while ago and completely fell in love with the sailor swimsuit (which also comes in red) but there are also halter swimdresses, classic maillots and lots more besides. They’ll be around the £40 – £60 mark.
If you love the collection, try looking in department stores like Fenwicks in the second half of the month, or online stockists Oli and Amazon.
If you love the look but need a bigger selection of sizes, another great discovery is ForLuna.co.uk which stocks pieces from retro brands What Katie Did and Lolita Girl and is also one of the only UK stockists I’ve found for the brilliant swimwear by 1930s movie star swimmer Esther Williams.
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