Women's Allure swimsuit
Maker
Allure
Date1950s
Object number00001039
NameSwimsuit
MediumPolyester
DimensionsOverall: 780 x 500 mm, 0.2 kg
Clothing size: 34
Clothing size: 34
ClassificationsClothing and personal items
Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Elsie Winter
DescriptionThis yellow and green floral patterned polyester swimsuit was made by Allure of Melbourne in the 1950s. New fabrics such as polyester offered support and shape without the corset-like panels of earlier swimsuits. Form was instead created with an inbuilt bra and an elasticised back. Harking back to more modest trends of the 1940s, this design features a high neck and a double layered pleated frill skirt.
HistoryIn the 1950s the swimsuit became a garment for opulent display, with exaggerated angles and curves, and flamboyant patterns and colours.
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 contemporary film sirens Brigitte Bardot, Jayne Mansfield and Marilyn Monroe.
SignificanceThis swimsuit is representative of women's swimwear fashions produced by the Melbourne manufacturer Allure in the 1950s. It is also an important example of the development and use of textile technologies during the mid-20th century.
