Longitude Swimwear

Many women with long torsos used to find it challenging to discover the right type of swimsuit that flatters their physique. But nowadays, swimsuit brands such as Longitude Swimwear have made it easier for women with such builds to enjoy bathing suits that are both attractive and suitable for water activities.



Longitude was previously known as Robby Len Longitude swimwear, and the brand has been offering various bathing suits since the 1950s. Many of the company's vintage bathing suits have numerous fans and those interested in collecting and/or wearing Longitude's classic designs from decades ago can purchase them online on sites such as Etsy and eBay. Today's Longitude bathing suit collections have expanded considerably and include a variety of designs, cuts and patterns for long-torsoed women ranging from small to plus sizes.

Some tall women, or those with long torsos, complain about how many of the one-piece swimsuits available in the market do not stretch up far enough or only stretch wider. Another problem is that tankinis, or bathing suits that combine a tank top and a bikini bottom, fail to stay in place when the user is swimming laps. Longitude Swimwear addresses these problems by having bathing suits whose bottoms do not rise and whose straps do not tug or chafe at the shoulders.

The range of swimsuits from Longitude can be seen on the sites of online retailers such as Laraines.com. The collection for the 2012 season showcases features that have a slenderizing effect, such as dark and bold prints, which control the appearance of the tummy. The bathing suits flatter long torsos through accents such as ruffles in the chest area and moderate openings for the legs. The swimwear's soft cup bra also provided ample bust support while the nylon and Spandex fabric composition ensure that they are comfortable to wear.



Amazon.com, one of the biggest retailers on the Internet, also offers a wide range of Longitude Swimwear. In addition to the traditional one-piece tank swimsuits, you can also find Longitude swimdresses and tankini swimwear as well as Longitude swimsuit coverups in various sizes.

Category › longitude bathing suits , retro bathing suits , womens vintage swimwear

Vintage Swimwear

Every year, swimsuit designers come out with their new bathing suit collections and they almost always feature vintage swimwear of various cuts, colors, and patterns. This was evident during the spring/summer 2011 fashion season, when the catwalks featured models wearing retro-inspired bikinis and one-piece bathing suits.


The trend shows no sign of letting up in the 2012 season. According to fashion web sites such as fashionising.com, vintage-inspired swimwear is set to continue to make its presence known next year. This means consumers can expect to find pinup-girl-inspired designs in stores next spring and summer.

What's more, it's more than just the run-of-the-mill designs that will be in the offering. Some swimwear designs incorporate both vintage and modern aspects, such as the use of digitally printed fabrics that are cut in classic forms.

These classic vintage swimsuit forms include high-waisted bikini bottoms, one-piece bathing suits that have halter tops with thick straps and cinched-in waists, and modestly-cut boyleg bottoms. Patterns and designs encompass the gamut of colors and designs, from cute and girly floral prints to bold and solid abstract patterning to nautically-themed designs.


The appeal of retro-themed swimsuits and the inspiration for them varies according to the viewpoints and feelings of designers. Designer Maria Dobrzanska Reeves from Marysia SWIM, for example, says that her admiration for style icons from decades past, such as Grace Kelly and Lauren Hutton, as well as vintage photographs by Slim Aaron, influenced her decision to create a line of retro swimwear.

One thing's for sure: with the sheer variety of designs, cuts, and patterns that are available now and which will be released soon, women are sure to find the right kind of vintage swimwear that will appeal to their sensibilities, create a flattering appearance by emphasizing their best features, and help them make the type of impact they want on the beach or by the poolside.

Category › retro bathing suits , retro swimsuits , retro swimwear , womens vintage swimwear

Mens vintage swimwear

Jantzen's founders showcase their mens vintage swimwear in this 1915 picture taken on the dock at the Portland Rowing Club. The swimwear is made out of wool, knitted in a refined rib-knit to make the swimwear a bit more stretchy.

Jantzen swimwear today celebrates 100 years. Jantzen first advertised their bathing suits in their 1915 catalogs. Although pure wool bathing suits sounds itchy and all but practical, it was already a big improvement from the "simply bath in your clothes" of earlier eras.

Having said that, in places without cameras nor Victorian modesty, people simply swam in the nude. Especially during Roman and Greek times, men and women bathed together, not bothered by bathing suits. Nothing to be surprised about when you go for a sauna and a swim in Finland.

It's only in Europe that people forgot how to bathe, forgot about bathing suits and tried to cover body odor with what is now known as refined French make-up and perfumes.

Some cultures still don't allow women to wear skimpy swimwear, some cultures simply still prohibit men and women to swim during certain periods of life. How come we forgot we were born without clothes in the first place?

I do agree that now people are going overboard with plastic surgery to create "the perfect beach body", when a simply daily routine of good exercise and healthy food would give everybody a decent bikini body in no time.

And did you notice that swimwear at the beginning of the previous century was unisex:

Category › mens vintage swimwear , womens vintage swimwear