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Image Not Available for Women's floral print Sea Breeze swimsuit
Women's floral print Sea Breeze swimsuit
Image Not Available for Women's floral print Sea Breeze swimsuit

Women's floral print Sea Breeze swimsuit

Maker
Date1950s
Object number00001767
NameSwimsuit
MediumCotton
DimensionsOverall: 820 mm
Clothing size: 38
ClassificationsClothing and personal items
Credit LineANMM Collection
DescriptionMade by Sea Breeze, this floral print cotton swimsuit features a shirred back, loosely ruched sides, a half-skirt with blue bias trim and a cuffed sweetheart neckline. Lined with cotton stockinette, the swimsuit has removable shoulder straps that fasten at the front and back with plastic buttons.HistoryIn the 1950s the swimsuit became a garment for opulent display. Exaggerated angles and curves were created with panelling and built in supports to create a curvaceous, ultra-feminine silhouette that emphasised the bust, waistline and hips. Swimwear designers drew on engineering and corsetry technology incorporating internal wiring, padding and elastic panels to achieve a sculptured cantilevered bust over a pinched-in 'wasp' waist. This voluptuous look was championed by film sirens Brigitte Bardot, Jayne Mansfield, Jane Russell, Sophia Loren and Marilyn Monroe. SignificanceThis swimsuit is representative of women's beachwear fashions and textile technologies in Australia in the 1950s.