Can anyone help date this wool bikini?

[NaoimiW]

I came across this wool knit bikini set by Surf Eze that I haven't been able to find much if any information on. There is boning on the sides of the top. Only lining is in the crotch. The wool is super soft and the buttons are abalone. My initial thought was 70s but the wool fabric is throwing me. It seems super stretched out too, unfortunately. Not sure if there is anything that can be done about that? I know they stopped using wool for bathing suits because they stretched out when wet. Any information would be much appreciated!

 

[lkranieri]

That swimsuit is lovely. I did a fast search in just one database and found only one ad for wool knit swimwear from Surf Eze. The swimsuit sketched in the ad is not the same as yours, but the 1960 ad states: "Areas of the hipline are bared as the scissor wrap crosses from front of maillot trunks to button at back. In elasticized petit point wool knit, suit is from Surf-eze division at Westwood Knitting Mills, Inc., Los Angeles. $12.95" (emphasis is mine).

 

[NaoimiW]

In elasticized petit point wool knit, suit is from Surf-eze division at Westwood Knitting Mills, Inc., Los Angeles. $12.95" (emphasis is mine).

Oh, thank you for that! Lovely to know the type of knit. The full name of the manufacturer also helped me to find more info as well.
There is a 30s one-piece in the archive at The Met https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/86485

 

[Vintagiality]

I see a series of ads starting in 1960. A few mention that the designers names were Eva Adler and Valerie Nagy. Looks like most of their designs were one-piece bathing suits. This one I think is the closest to yours I could find though it’s hard to tell what the pattern of yours is due to the stretching and not seeing it on

 

[Vintagiality]

There is a 30s one-piece in the archive at The Met

And I may be totally wrong but I don’t think that piece is dated correctly. The company was incorporated in 1936 and I see no indication that it did swimwear until the 50s. At least none of the ads before that were for anything but sweaters and dress suits

 

[dollsntrolls]

The shape of the suit is very late 60s, mod-meets-surfer girl. Hipster bottoms, squared bandeau top with large buttons read very mod. No way that much midriff would be visible in a swimsuit before the 60s!

 

[Linn]

I agree with '60s for dating this suit but do want to mention that two-piece suits were worn in the '30s and the bikini as we know it was introduced in 1946.

According to this Wikipedia article - it was not a new concept - see the illustration from antiquity!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_bikini

 

[Jonathan]

If the belly button is bared its a bikini, not a 2 piece. As far as I know the first belly button baring bikini was in 1946 You could find them in the Riviera in early 50s, but not until Sandra Dee wears one in 1959 as Gidget, will you find them in the U.S..

 

[Linn]

One of the earliest known images of a bikini, from the Ancient Roman Villa Romana del Casale. (Copied from the wikipedia article mentioned above.)

 

[NaoimiW]

Thank you, everyone, for your replies! You have all been so helpful. I am definitely feeling the mod vibes with the large buttons.

Anyone know if there is a way to shrink or repair it? Besides hot water and agitation?

It is much too late for my brain to read up on the history of the bikini at this hour, but I look forward to doing so!