A Vintage Summer

1940's linen post cards bananastrudel

You cant go wrong with a vintage swimsuit, they are much more flattering then the new suits of today. Plus the chance of any one else wearing the same suit as you, forget about it, because it most likely will never ever happen.

1960's Yellow Gingham Bathing Suit $85 thirteeneightyfive

1950's Turquoise Cotton Bathing Suit or Play Suit $62 funkydarlinvintage
1950's Cole of California Halter Bathing Suit $89.95 metroretrovintage

1950's 4th of July Pin Up Bathing Suit $15 cominguproses

1950's Kahala Hawaiian Swimsuit $89 Planetclairevintage

1950's Vintage Sunglasses

1950's ArtCraft Cat Eye Sunglasses $35 thewoolgatherer
1950's Black Cat Eye Sunglasses w/ Leaves $28 cominguproses
1940's Vintage Swim Cap

1940's Bubble Gum Pink Rubber Smocked Swim Cap $8 stacyleighvintage

1950's Vintage Hawaiian Dresses

1950's Hawaiian Sarong Hibiscus Wiggle Dress $75 Planetclairevintage
1950's Ruby of Miami Sarong Dress $34.95 metroretrovintage
1950's Red Hawaiian Tiki Print Full Skirt Dress $285 Planetclairevintage

Even Elvis was a fan

As servicemen and women returned from the second world war, the shirts and souvenirs especially the alohas shirts and Hawaiian sundresses they brought back from Asia and the pacific islands, were a big hit! During the 1950's tourists began flocking to Hawaii as faster airplanes allowed for easy and quick travel. Here you can find a really interesting article on the history of Hawaii's major airports in the 1950's.
After serving in WWII Alfred Shaheen returned to Oahu Hawaii with plenty of ideas in his head to expand his family's business to include ready-to-wear aloha shirts and women's fashions. In 1948 Shaheen started his own company, luckily his mom Mary was kind enough to let him borrow four of her best seamstresses.

Shaheens originally made his ready wear using imported textiles from the mainland like other manufactures of the time. Due to the fact that fabric had to be bought months to almost a year in advance and lack of unique designs Shaheen began to make his own fabrics. Shaheen first print plant was Surf 'n Sand Hand Prints, the machinery he used to create his gorgeous patterns on fabric was made using parts and scraps he would find in junkyards.

By 1952, Shaheen was printing around 60,000 yards of fabric per month. Only four short years later Shaheen had built a $8,000,000 factory, showroom, and office complex. Shaheen soon employed 400 people, sold garments worldwide, owned his own chain of retail stores in Hawaii, and grossed more than $4,000,000 annually.

Shaheen raised the garments to the level of high fashion with artistic prints, high-grade materials and quality construction. Shaheen's Hawaiian labels include Alfred Shaheen, Shaheen's of Honolulu, Surf 'n Sand, Kiilani, and Burma Gold Hand Prints. Shaheen was the only Hawaiian manufacturer to print his own fabrics and, using these fabrics, he created clothing for other retailers throughout the country. Some of these retailers include Andrades, McInerny, Liberty House, and Waltah Clarke. The red aloha shirt Elvis Presley wore for the cover of his 1961 Album "Blue Hawaii" was a Shaheen design. Today, Shaheen's Hawaiian shirts, sarongs, and sundresses are some of the most prized pieces for vintage collectors to find. The tan sarong dress w/ boat print can be found here for $383.

Alfred Shaheen in his factory circa 1950's

Heres a few vintage Shaheen piceces for your viewing and buying pleasure

$249 PGV

$363 PGV

$298 violetvillevintage

$85 Planetclairevintage

$275 TripleGemini

The Bombshell Swimsuit

Look at this beauty, I would just die for a swimsuit like this. This is pretty much my dream swimsuit, designed to make you look like a bombshell pinup vixen just by putting it on. If you have a 35.5" bust a 26"waist and 36" hips then I envy you because this suit will fit you. This suit is amazing I have never seen anything like it, with its simple but well tailored shape a beautiful sweetheart neckline and just look at the detail. Here is a closer look, oh my goodness the intricate bead and pearl design covering the whole bathing suit is stunning and in remarkable condition for an early 1950s suit like this. This piece probably shouldnt be worn out in public but I know if it was mine I would love it so much I would not want to keep it on my wall like a museum piece which it is worthy of. I would wear this beauty out and I would definately be the best dressed gal at the beach or any pool party. You can find this swimsuit is listed at $185 here.