Women's 1980 Australian Olympic merchandise swimsuit
Maker
Speedo International Ltd
Date1980
Object number00019032
NameSwimsuit
MediumNylon, elastane (spandex or Lycra), cotton
DimensionsOverall: 650 x 340 mm, 0.07 kg
Clothing size: 16
Clothing size: 16
ClassificationsClothing and personal items
Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Speedo International Ltd
DescriptionThis swimsuit was developed as merchandise for the 1976 Moscow Olympics, and was made in Australia by Speedo. The fabric pattern features the Australian Olympic logo used throughout the 1980s, which incorporated two stylised boomerangs and the Olympic rings. The garment is skirtless, has two white shoulder straps, a white gauze gusset and blue cotton seams.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.
SignificanceProduced as a stock item, this swimsuit demonstrates the influence of Olympic designs on Speedo's commercial swimwear ranges.