Early 1960s swimwear began to reflect the influence of European styles. Designers introduced sleek, form-fitting silhouettes that emphasized the body’s natural shape. The introduction of the bikini, while initially controversial, quickly became a symbol of liberation and youth. These swimsuits often featured high-waisted bottoms and structured tops, offering both style and comfort.
As the decade progressed, the designs became even more daring. Psychedelic patterns, geometric prints, and innovative fabrics like Lycra started to appear. These materials allowed for greater flexibility and movement, making swimming and sunbathing more enjoyable. The popularization of swimwear catalogs and magazines also helped spread these trends, making them accessible to a wider audience.
Another significant trend was the rise of celebrity influence on swimwear fashion. Iconic figures like Brigitte Bardot and Marilyn Monroe were frequently photographed in swimsuits through the 1950s and into the 60s, setting trends and inspiring countless women to emulate their style. Their glamorous images in the media helped cement certain swimsuit designs as timeless classics.
Below, we’ve collected a variety of vintage photos showcasing the diverse styles of 1960s swimsuits. Dive in to see these iconic looks and see how they shaped the swimwear fashion of today!
Rose Marie Reid swimsuits from the early sixties
Retro Catalina swimsuits from 1961
Old-fashioned 60s one-piece swimsuit in navy blue and white from 1962
Women in green floral pattern swimsuits and fluffy white swim caps (1962)
Swimwear for beauty queens (1962)
Retro Roxanne strapless or strapped swimsuit from the sixties (1962)
Old-fashioned swimsuits for women from Lee (1962)
Vintage Cole brand swimsuits from 1962: If she’s got it, these suits show it.
They’re no place for a figure to hide. Stripped of all fuss and distractions, they make the most of a woman’s best lines.
Knitted of 100% quick-drying Helenca Nylon. Brite navy, flag red, aqua, palm green, black. Sheath, $23.95; two-piecer, $19.95.
Vintage black-on-white printed pattern loose-fit one-piece swimsuit (1962)
Glamorous 1-piece swimsuits for women from Sears (1964)
Swimwear with matching outfits for women from 1964
Sea Stars Maillot with zip-front jacket, Knit with “sweater” overblouse, Cotton swimsuit and matching cover-top
One-piece stylish swimsuits (1965)
Take the sun or take cover in three-piece swim sets from ’65
The new idea: swim tops and trunks you buy separately. You get true-you fit because you order the size that fits you best in each part. And you can interchange the tops ( striped blue, green, yellow and orange) with the solid-color trunks.
Here, the intrigue of a hooded poncho combines with the allure of a bikini… both in a blue, green and black woven plaid of rayon that has the texture of linen.
The bra top is shape-sure with pre-molded inner cups that uplift and separate; straps adjust or tuck away; back but-ton closing. The hip-level shorts have an elasticized waist with back zipper for snug fit. The poncho’s hood is lined with blue cotton.
Groovy swirl patterned sixties bikini swimsuit
The young lioness swimsuits (1967)
Brave… sensuous… graceful… beautiful… Don’t you want to be a young lioness this summer? Of course you do! Grrrrrrooowwwwlll! they’ll say when they see you looking.
Hot-colored swimsuit (1967)
Indolent… and loving to be lazy — and so much a man’s woman in hot-colored abstract print of nylon and Lycra powernet. By Jantzen. $26.
Supple, silver, metallic 60s swimsuit
Rose Marie Reid shirrs the bra of a nylon two-piece saddler, ventilates the bikini trunks. $22.
Cotton lace 60s swimsuits for women (1967)
Ladylike… and terrifically sexy — in innocent cotton lace over body-molding Banlon. Plunge the neck as low as you like. By Darlene, $26.
Blue with black bikini with adjustable bottoms (1967)
Pliant, bare, unblushing — in a bikini you can make even barer (by tightening drawstrings at side of pants). By Sirena.
60s bikinis and swimwear
Sleek, bold… ready for the chase. Modified bikini trunks and flattering band bra of nylon and Lycra spandex. By Brigance for Sinclair.
Camisole swimsuit (1967)
Proud, delightful — in the curve-you-beautifully camisole top… shade you down, hip-hung pants of strech nylon and orlon. By Oleg Cassini for Peter Pan.
Vintage swimsuits with embroidery detailing (1968)
Green and white Jantzen cotton swimwear (1968-1969)
Sears swimwear in white Americana pattern (1968)
The Flower Suit from Cole Jr – Vintage 1960s swimwear for women (1968)
Cuffed boy leg suit and shirred-top sheath swimsuit (1968)
Printed in figure-controlling acetate, cotton and rubber latex. Styled with low back. Lightly padded built-in bra, built-up shoulder straps. Zips in the back.
In acetate, cotton and rubber latex does all to flatter you. Low back style. Lightly padded built-in bra, built-up shoulder straps. Back zip.
Richly ribbed sheath suit (1968)
Swimsuit in an ottoman stitched stretch nylon double knit. Fronted with ric-rac. Low back. Lightly padded built-in bra and built-up shoulder straps.
Wards finest suits make a big splash in style (1968)
A vivid pattern sheath suit knit in curve-controlling Orlon acrylic and Lycra spandex. Styled low in back and front. Built-in molded lace bra. Straps are adjustable. Color Multi-print shown.
Embossed floral two-piecer knit in Orlon acrylic, nylon and rubber. Tie-trim top has a molded lace bra. Back buttons adjust. Boy leg pants are lined, elastic at waist, legs.
Ribbed-round one-piecer knit in stretch nylon. Topped with a bow on peek-a-boo front, self belt. Low square back. Built-in molded lace bra. Straps adjust; boy legs. Lined below waist.
Frosted floral one-piecer knit in nylon and Antron nylon. Scallop front trimmed with buttons. Ties with self-belt. Built-in molded lace bra. Low style bock, boy legs.
Swimwear for the summer scene: Zip-front & splashed one-piece (1968)
Bold zip-front one-piecer in ottoman rib stretch nylon double knit. Contrast front trim. Low back, elastic boy legs. Lightly padded built-in bra. Colors: turquoise or dark brown– each with white.
Random splashed one-piece suit in stretch nylon double knit sizzling with color. Low styled back. Lightly padded built-in bra.
Pink Rose Marie Reid bikini from 1968-1969
Two-piece swimsuits from ’68
A daringly dotted bikini in cotton. Lightly padded bra, straps adiust. String tie closing in bock. Bow trim ponts, lined. Elastic waist, legs. Colors oronge or navy—each with white.
Rippling rib-tickler suit. Cotton square-back top built in lightly padded bra. Bock hook closing. Sharkskin pants of acetate, cotton, rubber. Front belt, brass loop closing. Elastic boy legs, waist. Color Print/white.
Ribbed-right suit in cotton stitched stretch nylon double knit. Ranks high with “brassy” button trim. Lightly padded bra, bock hook closing. Boy leg pants. Elasticized waist, legs.
Two-piecers cut to catch more sun! Bouncy gingham check suit in cotton & a boldly-striped suit done in stretch nylon double knit to get you in the swim of things.
Sea-bright 3-piece set (1968)
Sports a plus-2 2 swim looks. Knit in DuPont Orlon acrylic and stretch nylon. Fitted stripe blouson and bra top have lightly padded bras, back hook closings. Boy leg pants, elasticized at waist, legs. Color: Stripe with hot pink shown.
Leopard-spotted swimsuit: A jungle look one-piecer (1968)
Captures a two-piece look in front. Of stretch nylon double knit with lightly padded built-in bra. Elasticized waist and legs. Color: Print shown.
Sensational 3-piece swim set in nylon (1968)
2 looks at 1 price. Striped blouson top with elasticized bottom. Striped bra has light padding, adjustable shoulder straps, back hook closing. Stretch nylon doubleknit pants with boy legs. Elasticized waist, legs. Stripe tie sash. Color: gold/white/navy stripe with navy.
If yachting’s your yen… Retro Robby Len one-piece swimwear for women (1968)
Kicky — not kooky. Worldly — not way out. Chic’s your thing. That’s why Robby Len turns you on. At last, here’s swimwear designed just for you.
Fresh, zingy, young… but sophisticated. Fashioned for flattery in imported, textured Helanca/Spandex knit, with a fit that’s “fab” … your really NOW LOOK. (Shown: Bikini, maillot, sheath)
Late 1960s Catalina one-piece swimsuit with side cutouts (1969)
Take cover in a swimsuit and coverup (1968)
Print 3-piece voile set, so breezy in polyester and cotton. Sheer coverup is ruffled with 3/4-length elasticized sleeves. Front buttons. Two-piecer has lightly padded bra, adjustable shoulder straps, back hook closing. Modified bikini pants are lined, gathered with bow trim. Elasticized waist and legs. Color: Print shown.
Striped 3-piece set in cool cotton. Hooded coverup closes with front buttons, tops a sassy two-piecer. lightly padded bra ; shoulder straps adjust. Back hook closing. Bikini-like pants are lined. Elasticized waist and legs. Color: Multi-stripe.
One Response
Is that last ad — the sheer black top — supposed to be a swimsuit or a cover-up one might wear to a topless beach?? 🤔