Dating Deweese Design swimsuit

[Heather Maston]

Hi! I’m trying to date a Deweese Design swimsuit and I’m a bit perplexed by what I’m finding. I have attached photos below. The size tag is unfortunately faded but I found the same suit in a raspberry color (rather than hot pink like mine) on eBay and the size says 12/34 “Sta-cup” Bra and the RN # 41977
My guess is possibly 70’s?
Wondering also if there is a general key to dating these suits, from what I’ve seen the labels didn’t change much over time. Any help is greatly appreciated! Thank you

 

[denisebrain]

Hi Heather,

Lovely raspberry suit! I agree with you about it being from the 1970s. If you look at the Label Resource images, you can see some of the differences between DeWeese labels https://vintagefashionguild.org/label-resource/deweese-design/ Yours looks like the 70s label—but I'm noticing we could use a 1960s label!

 

[bycinbyhand]

Looks late 70s.

 

[poppysvintageclothing]

Agree with 70s.

 

[The Vintage Merchant]

great color and fabulous design lines!!!

 

[vivavintageclothing]

Speaking of a Deweese Designs circa 1960s label, I am about to list this one, so I'll add it to the LR label submissions thread, also.

 

[Heather Maston]

Hi Heather,

Lovely raspberry suit! I agree with you about it being from the 1970s. If you look at the Label Resource images, you can see some of the differences between DeWeese labels https://vintagefashionguild.org/label-resource/deweese-design/ Yours looks like the 70s label—but I'm noticing we could use a 1960s label!

Thank you so much! I think I got a bit confused as some of the 60’s labels look similar to the 70’s labels… would you say the best way to differentiate (besides style of garment) would be a slash between numbers rather than a dash and the presence of care instructions?

 

[denisebrain]

I don't know the answers to your questions Heather. These are labels that our swimwear-expert alumni member Pam of glamoursurf show on her website as 1960s and 1970s. I feel as if the inner bra structure might be a big indicator.

 

[Vintagiality]

the presence of care instructions?

That for sure and also the RN rough number formula suggests it was issued right at the 70s cusp so it’s from some time after that though that just tells you that it can’t be earlier and not how much later it could be.

 

[Heather Maston]

I don't know the answers to your questions Heather. These are labels that our swimwear-expert alumni member Pam of glamoursurf show on her website as 1960s and 1970s. I feel as if the inner bra structure might be a big indicator.

View attachment 137979

Thank you! I love learning how to decipher the clues in clothing

 

[Heather Maston]

That for sure and also the RN rough number formula suggests it was issued right at the 70s cusp so it’s from some time after that though that just tells you that it can’t be earlier and not how much later it could be.

That’s helpful too! Thank you

 

[glamoursurf]

Pretty color. I agree with 70s.

 

[Heather Maston]

Pretty color. I agree with 70s.

Thank you! <3