The Rudi Gernreich "monokini" 1964 Topless Bathing Suit RARE!
By Rudi Gernreich
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designer, Rudi Gernreich, was one of the most revolutionary designers of the 20th century. The rare Gernreich 1964 topless bathing suit was one of the most sensational, shocking, ...
Vintage 1960s Topless One Piece Swimsuit Rudi Gernreich Monokini Style
By Rudi Gernreich
Located in Portland, OR
This is a fabulous vintage swimsuit that has been attributed to Rudi Gernreich but we can find no image of the suit in any of our ad archives or online so we can't verify the attribu...
CHRISTIAN DIOR by JOHN GALLIANO Vintage Lilac Tulle and Lace Dress US Size 4
By Christian Dior
Located in Nice, FR
CHRISTIAN DIOR by JOHN GALLIANO vintage lilac tulle and lace dress. From the CHRISTIAN DIOR Spring/Summer 2008 Collection. This lilac lace dress embodies the romantic and theatrica...
$26,920
H 8 in W 4.5 in D 1.75 in
Chanel 2014 Resort Limited Edition Transparent Bottle Minaudière Clutch Bag
By Chanel
Located in Miami, FL
Chanel Resort Limited Edition Transparent Bottle Minaudière Clutch Bag Iconic Chanel no.5 perfume bottle bag made from transparent plexiglass, and attached interwoven lambskin leath...
$1,729
Size: Recommended Size; UK 10
A/W 2003 Vivienne Westwood Black Velvet Off-Shoulder Bustier Skirt Suit Ensemble
By Vivienne Westwood
Located in Sheffield, GB
A Sublime Autumn/Winter 2003 Vivienne Westwood ensemble ! Featuring a black velvet off-shoulder silhouette, wrap around top with complimenting black wool circle skirt. The top featur...
Romeo Gigli Spring 1990 Fringe Crochet Olive Green Vest
By Romeo Gigli
Located in Paris, FR
Romeo Gigli Spring 1990 olive-green vest featuring an open crochet construction with botanical appliqué panels across the chest. The piece is cut with a deep V-neckline and fastens a...
NWT Tom Ford for Gucci 2002 Runway Black Silk Lace Up Top + Stretch Skirt It 40
By Tom Ford for Gucci, Gucci
Located in Montgomery, TX
An iconic pairing from the celebrated Tom Ford era at Gucci, this striking ensemble combines a rare Fall/Winter 2002 black silk lace-up blouse with a sleek black stretch pencil skirt...
Fausto Pugliesi Metallic Dress - '00s
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Fausto Puglisi metallic dress with silver and golden metal bead embellishments. Stud and bead detailing on sleeve straps for a sculptural effect. Remarks: There are no tags. There a...
Dolce & Gabbana Silk One Sleeve Lace up Dress
By Dolce & Gabbana
Located in Water Mill, NY
A fabulous black silk jersey dress from Dolce & Gabbana. The fitted dress has one sleeve and intricate functional adjustable lacing along the top of the sleeve from wrist to shoulder...
John Galliano for Christian Dior Silk Dress with Buckle Straps
By John Galliano, Christian Dior
Located in Water Mill, NY
A fabulous black silk dress from John Galliano for Christian Dior. It has adjustable straps with silver Dior inscribed buckles at the shoulders and back of each strap plus a center ...
Thierry Mugler SS 1996 Silk Jacket Leo Animal Print
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Berlin, BE
From Thierry Mugler’s Spring Summer 1996 collection, this silk leopard-print jacket captures the house at its most dangerously seductive: a study in feline glamour sharpened by archi...
$5,500
H 5.5 in W 2 in L 8.5 in
Tagashi Murakami x Louis Vuitton "Eye Miss You" Multicolor Monogram Bag Y2K
By Louis Vuitton, Takashi Murakami
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
The Louis Vuitton "Eye Miss You" Multicolor Monogram Bag is a vibrant and playful accessory that captures the essence of luxury and creativity. Crafted from Louis Vuitton’s signature...
NWT Vintage Blumarine FW 2010 Swarovski Crystals Fringe Wool Cardigan It 44 US 8
By Blumarine
Located in Montgomery, TX
From Blumarine’s Fall/Winter 2010 collection, this striking zebra-print cardigan captures the brand’s signature balance of playful glamour and high-fashion edge. Crafted in quality w...
$19,920
H 16 in W 21 in D 9 in
Chanel Transparent and Lambskin White Naked XXXL Extra Large Clear Tote
By Chanel
Located in Miami, FL
Clear transparent naked diamond stitch quilted Chanel vintage tote in an oversized XXXL featuring white lambskin leather logo and silver hardware. Good vintage condition with minor ...
Sleeveless fushia wool knit dress KARL LAGERFELD
By Karl Lagerfeld
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Sleeveless fushia wool knit dress. Button and buttonhole closure on the top middle back. SIZE L
Chanel S/S 2009 pearl embellished dress
By Chanel
Located in PARIS, FR
Rare Chanel Spring Summer 2009 pearl embellished dress, piece of art, it can fit US 0 up to US 4 size tag was cut, (34 up to 38 FR) very good condition only few wear on the armpits
$5,290
Size: M-See Measurement in description
ROBERTO CAVALLI S/s 2001 Blue Silk Elizabeth Taylor Eye Draped Dress
By Roberto Cavalli
Located in 上海市, Xuhui district
Composition: 100% Silk Measurements All measurements taken laid flat - Bust: 18 " / 46.5 cm (drape neck allows room for another 1-2 inches / 2.54 - 5 cm) - Waist: 14.50" / 36.5 c...
Vintage 2000's Gucci By Tom Ford Knit Fur Top
By Gucci
Located in London, GB
Vintage 2000's Gucci by Tom Ford black roll neck sleeveless camel fur knit. Features a black ribbed body, sleeveless and high roll neck with black camel fur at the front. In excell...
From Esther Williams’s glamorous one-piece wonders to Brigitte Bardot’s bombshell bikini on the beaches of Cannes, swimwear has made headlines and raised eyebrows for years. After all, who doesn’t want to wear alluring vintage or designer swimwear for a trip to the beach or poolside relaxation?
Design, style and the amount of skin shown have all made news when it comes to swimwear. While in the 19th century women often sported skirts over bloomers when they visited the shore, by the early 20th century, many were wearing sleek Jantzen suits that would influence the swimsuits women wear today.
By the mid-century, cutouts and two-piece suits were pushing the boundaries of swimwear, with designer Rudi Gernreich debuting the daring topless monokini in 1964. In the 1970s, legendary designers such as Halston were applying an evening-wear aesthetic to swimwear, adding plunging necklines, ruching and even beadwork. Maillots and bikinis began to feature strapless designs.
Jean Paul Gaultier, Christian Dior, Balenciaga, Elsa Schiaparelli and Versace are among the designers who have left their mark in the swimwear world with bold prints and cuts as well as a wide range of dazzling embellishments.
Today, swimsuits are crafted with both function and style in mind for swimming, lounging and making a statement in and out of the water. Browse an extensive collection of vintage and designer swimwear on 1stDibs.