Women's Miss Jantzen swimsuit

Maker Jantzen (American, founded 1910)

Datec 1960

Object number00016483

NameSwimsuit

MediumBri-nylon

DimensionsOverall: 625 mm
Clothing size: 34

ClassificationsClothing and personal items

Credit LineANMM Collection

Terms

DescriptionMade in Australia by Miss Jantzen in the 1960s, this Bri-nylon swimsuit shows the change from the heavily structured garments of the 1950s to the more comfortable and simplistic designs of the 1960s. New synthetic fabrics offered support and shape without the corset-like panels of earlier swimsuits. This one piece design has a high neck, an inbuilt bra and low leg line for modesty and combines a scroll pattern top and plain pink bottom using a waist tie to divide the two fabrics. HistoryIn the 1950s and early 1960s swimsuits and sunsuits were often shaped with panelling and in-built supports to create a curvaceous, ultra-feminine silhouette that emphasised the bust, waistline and hips. As the 1960s progressed swimsuits became less structured. Designs became more focused on comfort, while necklines went up and straps became thicker. This change was influence by new synthetic fabrics that were stretchier and offered greater freedom to the wearer. From the 1950s there had been a shift away from natural fibres, such as wool and cotton, to synthetics. Popular in the 1960s was nylon, developed during World War One by DuPont, USA, which was the first in a series of synthetic fabrics used by swimwear manufacturers. It was quick drying and stretched to hug the figure, providing a more self supporting garment than the heavier woollen suits of previous decades. In a move away from the 'pin-up girl' marketing of the 1950s that focused on stars from the big screen, the 1960s saw swimsuit makers such as Jantzen and Catalina involving themselves in beauty contest sponsorship. The label 'Miss Jantzen’ emerged around the same time as the 'Miss Jantzen' contests.SignificanceThis swimsuit is representative of the semi-structured styles prominent during the early 1960s. It is also an important example of the use of new textile technologies by swimwear manufacturers during the mid twentieth century.