Have I been duped on this 'vintage' kittiwake Bikini?

retro ruth

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Have I been duped on this \'vintage\' kittiwake Bikini?

I bought this online sold as a genuine 60s bikini, but I think the labels, with pictorial washing symbols, must mean it can't be as old as that?. A bit of googling and ebay searching shows that the Kittiwake name does seems to go back to the 60s, and I can't find out anything showing that it still exists as a current brand. Could it be 70s or 80s, or is this a totally modern reproduction?

Thanks in advance.

Ruth

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I don't know the brand but I think this is later, 1970's. Fabric care labels with symbols in the US were first seen in 1972 I believe although there are references to the 1960's which were probably 'wash and wear.' VFG has listed 1971. The UK used symbols earlier but I hope someone will confirm or correct that.

The other thing is the plastic fastener which I remember seeing in the 1970's or later.
 
It looks pretty modern to me - last ten years or so. The labels are not old, and were it a vintage bikini the cut would be different - I think it's a modern "retro-style" piece.

If you wanted genuine vintage I suggest you contact the seller. I'm happy to give more information about why it's modern if you want.

Nicole
 
Hi

I have a 60's paisley print Kittiwake swimsuit and the label is different to your label.
My label is 'doubled over' and the colour is orange with:- KW Kittiwake Bri-Nylon, Made in England, with a black bird (or what looks like a bird).
The washing instructions are on a separate label too, where yours is printed on the back.
 
Originally posted by CircaVintageClothing
I'm happy to give more information about why it's modern if you want.

Nicole

The seller doesn't accept it's modern, but is letting me return it anyway. But as I hate letting her think she's selling a vintage bikini, and she's bound to relist it, what can I tell her to convince her it's modern?
 
Firstly - the printed label looks '90s or more modern.

Secondly - a vintage '60s bikini would have been made of pure nylon, not the mix that this. Probably "Bri-nylon" as per Rosa's comment.

Thirdly - The cut of the legs would have been lower, more modest - leg cuts didn't get high until the '70s and have mostly remained high since then (with the exception of repro vintage styles).

This bikini can only be modern as it combines elements of '60s style (the high waist and self-belt), '70s style (the cut of the leg) with modern fabrics and labelling.

Nicole
 
I have to agree with Nicole.
The leg styling, the label all point to a more modern bikini. What is on the label under your thumb? Can you show me a shot of the inside of the bust?
-Pam
 
I've already sent it back to her! So sorry, I can't show inside the bust, nor quite remember what was under my thumb! But I'm sorry I missed your input Pam, I was hoping you'd come along.

What a great site vertugarde! I'm bookmarking that.

Anyway, basically I needed to know if I could to ask for a refund, which she's agreed to. Once I've been refunded, I'll send her a note giving her all this info, and hope she revises her listing. Some people can't be told, she was insistent it wasn't modern, but I'll try.

Ruth
 
If you would like a pic of my label to show her a 60's KW label, I could try and post one, (label photos aren't my strong point but she will see the difference) or you may find one on the net. :sunshine:
 
Sorry I've only joined the post late but that label is definitely modern. Care labels were introduced in the UK in the 70's but that label, as Nicole says, looks more like a 90's label. The plastic closure at the back is recent too. I don't think you'd have seen things like that in the 60's but I could be wrong. It does look pretty new to me. I find that a lot of vintage UK labels show 'Made in England' or 'Made in Great Britain' rather than 'Made in UK' which I'm sure is more recent.

I also agree with Marty that the sizing is a good way to determine whether it's genuine vintage. UK 12 would be more like a UK 8 in modern day sizing. Vintage size 14 would be more like a modern day UK 10 and so on.

Glad you're going to get your money back, hope they refund your return postage too as the item wasn't what you thought it was.
 
Thanks for all the input, this is very informative. It's funny, the bikini just felt modern to me, I didn't quite know why I knew it couldn't be vintage, but now I do.

I didn't get all my postage back, and I'm not sure if I can be bothered to chase for it for a few quid. I knew I was buying from an inexperienced seller, and took the risk in case it turned out to be a gem. She said it was her aunt's, who told her it was from the 60s! She does now seem to accept that she might have been mistaken.
 
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