Making A Splash Flirty ‘50s Styles Making A Fashion Comeback In The World Of Women’s Swimsuits

In the 1950s they were called bathing suits. Women never swam in them.

At least, not in the movies.

Oh, sure, Esther Williams dove in. But most poolside scenes featured soft, shapely actresses like Marilyn Monroe, Rita Hayworth, Lana Turner and Jane Russell lounging on chaise lounges, sipping tall drinks with little umbrellas in them, or polishing their toenails.

Posing for press photographers, young starlets paraded in stiletto heels, hats, gloves, “negligee” robes and dark glasses as Hollywood capitalized on the “pool party” theme.

It’s party time again.

“Women have bared it all, and now they realize how glamorous it is to have a little mystique like they did in the ‘40s and ‘50s,” David Burnett, president of Anne Klein swimwear said of this spring’s fashions.

This year’s curvy styles fall into two categories, he noted.

“Some of the suits, like gingham two-piece suits or the one-piece with a flirty skirt, stress femininity and a flirtatious innocence, while others in solid colors are more daring.

“And probably the most daring retro style that’s making a comeback is the white one-shouldered suit, because any time you have something off-balance, it’s designed to be noticed,” Burnett said.

“It’s the type of swimsuit Lana Turner would have worn at a pool party,” he said.

Lucille Klein, fashion director for J.C. Penney stores, also sees the gingham print and other ‘50s styles making a comeback.

“It was glamorous fantasy, the stuff that made Hollywood famous,” she said. “Yet, those one-piece swim suits were downright modest by today’s standards, with their draped fronts, halter necklines and flirty skirts.

“Even when French actress Brigitte Bardot posed in a gingham two-piece, that was quickly labeled scandalous, she only showed her navel,” Klein said.

Swimsuits in 1995 flatter the figure, with bust enhancement, stomachflattening panels and other built-in support systems, and that’s good news for aging baby boomers and others looking for suits with more support and coverage, said Patty Fox, fashion consultant for the recent Academy Awards ceremony.

“I always tell women that when they’re in doubt, focus attention on the face. And these new Hollywood glamour suits that emphasize the bust line are perfect for them, both in style and nostalgia,” Fox said.

“By that I mean that they flash back to the rounder body era, when Marilyn Monroe was the style icon.”

While Fox doesn’t think the earrings-and-pumps look will catch on at the beach, Burnett said he has already seen the accessorized swimsuit at the pool.

“After all, the earrings focus attention on the face, and the new high-heeled mules (backless pumps) lengthen a woman’s legs. And anytime you can get the eye to move from the waist up, instead of resting on the hips, you’ve got a winning style,” he added.

MEMO: These sidebars appeared with story: Here’s how to get a great fit

LOS ANGELES Glamour suits are in again, but the process of finding the perfect suit can be anything but glamorous. National health statistics show that the average American woman is 5-foot-4 and wears a size 14. So it’s no wonder that shopping for a swimsuit, fitted for an average size 6 or 8, is an agonizing ordeal for so many women. Not to worry. Forget about the dark dressing room and the unflattering mirror, and focus on these tips shared by our experts, Target stores’ fashion director Corbin Seitz, Slimsuit creator Carol Wior, and actress/ swimsuit designer Esther Williams. Consider your lifestyle: A bikini or bandeau style isn’t practical for swimming laps, but they’re great for tanning. Ditto with the one-shouldered suit that’s hot again. Try on lots of suits: Choose the suits you like, then grab some others, and head for the dressing room. Sometimes the one with the greatest hanger appeal is the most unflattering. Check out both the front and rear view. Do a dressing room test: Does it ride up? Do the straps fall down? You might need a longer torso style. Is the leg cut so high that you’ll be constantly tugging at it? Is the top cut so low that you’ll fall out when you dive into the pool? Study the style: A one-piece suit is the most flattering to most figure types, and suits with deep V’s or lace-up fronts will make your body appear longer - and therefore slimmer. If you’ve got a lot of bulges, consider the new puckered fabrics that skim over imperfections. Get a good-fitting bra: Suits are structured again, but instead of shelf and hard cups, the trend is built-in underwire bras that lift the breast. Many of the suits have padded styles inspired by the Wonderbra. Also consider the surplice style that features crisscross detail to flatter a sagging bust line. Look at the legs: The modest, top-of-the-thigh style is back, now that the focus is on the bust line, and it’s flattering to most legs. However, if you’ve got slim legs without saddle-bag bulges, you can make them look longer with the French-cut leg opening. The skating-skirt suit has returned, but it will make your legs look shorter and heavier, unless the ruffle dips in the front. Los Angeles Daily News

What to look for Looking for a new swimsuit? These are the details to look for: Retro two-piece styles. One-piece suits with skirts or draped fronts. Built-in padded bras. Bright colors, or solid black or white. Puckered fabric. Gingham and plaid prints. Lace-up fronts. Decorative trims (daisies, lace, bows). Los Angeles Daily News