Women's 1964 United States of America Olympic swimsuit
Maker
Speedo International Ltd
Designer
Gloria Smythe
Date1964
Object number00019023
NameSwimsuit
MediumNylon, cotton
DimensionsOverall: 680 x 330 mm, 0.085 kg
Clothing size: 34
Clothing size: 34
ClassificationsClothing and personal items
Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Speedo International Ltd
DescriptionThis swimsuit features the 1964 United States Olympic swimming team 'panel' design, and was produced in Australia by White Stag under license to Speedo. It has a blue gauze gusset and blue cotton seams.
1964 was the first year in which the United States team design incorporated panels of different colours, with 2.5 cm vertical panels of red and white inserted into the blue suit. Previously competitors had worn costumes in solid colours.
The style incorporates a United States machine embroidered fabric shield in the 'smooth beveled' or 'classic' shape that was used on commercially distributed garments. The actual garments worn by the Olympic team had shields that were 'badge' or 'elegant' in shape.HistoryIn 1955 Speedo introduced nylon into its competitive swimwear designs, and the 1956 Olympics in Melbourne saw the widespread use of the new fabric.
From 1957 the half skirt was replaced with the quarter skirt, and the introduction of the panel at the front gave more shape to the body and a better fit. By 1972 the Federation Internationale de Natation (FINA) allowed women to swim skirtless.
The US Olympic team wore Speedo for the first time in 1964. The 'White Stag' Speedo line was selected on merit by the US Olympic swimming committee for all the 1964 and 1968 US Olympic swimmers and water polo players.SignificanceProduced as a stock item, these trunks demonstrate the influence of Olympic team designs on Speedo's commercial swimwear ranges. The 'panel' suit was released world wide for general sale after the Olympic Games in October 1964.