Help with repairing deteriorated bra padding in Jantzen Sunsuit (early 1970s?)

[laurenm]

Hello Everyone,
I recently acquired some swimsuits that have the same problem. Perfect condition otherwise, but the 'padding' in the inset bra section is deteriorated and loose inside. The substance is in chunks of a variety of sizes and is crumbly and coming out through the weave of the fabric like powder. Is there a way to remove this stuff without replacing the whole cup or should I just insert new ones?
I've attached photos of one in particular that shows this problem well. The last photo is of the other side of the cups (facing out to the world)
From the label resource this could be 60s or 70s but am not sure of exact dating.....late 60s/early 70s?
Thanks in advance.

 

[Vinclothes]

This type of padding was used in the 1960's. It turns to nasty lumpy dust. Remove it, brushing and laundering. It is hard to get it out. Then reattach lining.
Marian

 

[Circa Vintage Clothing]

Marian is right - it sounds like devil dust, where the synthetic padding has deteriorated. The only thing to do is cut out the bra padding and wash the sunsuit, preferably drying somewhere it will get lots of fresh air.

It's a cute outfit and will be much better without it. I think I've had to cut out the bar in almost every '60s swimsuit I've had. Here's my blog post about one of them. I cut out the padding, washed it and it's fine now.

 

[foofoogal]

Adorable mod suit.

 

[laurenm]

I'm so glad to have a name for the nasty spawn. Every time I touch it my hands feel irritated (maybe imagined). So how about removing the cups and replacing them with new ones or just yank the whole top lining thing assuming buyers will want to wear their own/wear nothing under it? I know this is probably just a personal choice, but I'm not sure if people tend to buy these to wear as 'rompers' or actually swim in them. I'm sure there are as many ways to wear as there are people, but....

 

[MagsRags]

Modern women seem much less focused on disguising the natural contours of their breast and nipples than we were back in the 60s.

Most of the vintage suits do a perfectly adequate job by current standards without the bra cups IMO. The exception is the large breasted woman who may need some support under the breasts to keep things from drifting south.

 

[Sky Ranch Vintage]

If you know how to sew, I would just get out your trusty seam ripper and open up the bra cups just enough to shake out the crumbled old pads and then hand wash it a couple of times, paying attention to the bra area to remove any extra dust. Air dry or tumble dry low, then I would stitch back into place. At least this way it look nice inside and retain an original appearance.

 

[laurenm]

Very true....also considerably less self conscious about having bras and other lingerie showing! I find there is a group of young girls/teens/young adults who have insisted on 'padding'....for a while it seemed impossible to find an unpadded A-B cup bra and all the bathing suits were padded, even 'athletic' styles.
Thanks for that perspective, I think I'll yank!

 

[laurenm]

I guess that keeping the original appearance had been/is a concern in these cases. Unfortunately I sorely lack sewing skills, but might try shaking out the stuff and if it works give it to a friend to sew up.

 

[Sky Ranch Vintage]

If you don't get carried away opening it up, you could probably just sew it up by hand.

 

[Circa Vintage Clothing]

I just cut them out: I loathe devil dust and haven't been convinced that it will all come out, so find it's easier just to throw it away! Doesn't seem to affect my sales of the swimsuits, it's better to have something wearable and if a new owner wishes, she can always sew new bra pads in.

 

[Midge]

I've heard of devil dust before but never associated it with vintage swimsuits... I saw a lot of very colorful 60s/70s swimsuits at the Humana shops in Vienna - but passed them by in the end because I thought the price was too high to re-sell them at a reasonable profit. Now I'm glad I passed them by, because if I'd had to remove the padding too at some point, they would really have been too expensive in respect...

Karin

 

[laurenm]

Well, I'll be wary from now on as I just completed my initial pass at removing the stuff. Maybe it's power of suggestion (but I'm not that easily influenced) but the dust really does irritate my skin and eyes.Thanks so much for all the help. I think it depends on the design of the suit whether it's worth it as I can simple remove the upper lining of one of my suits but the other is a more complicated design that if I did cut the whole upper lining out, I'd have to sort of rework the suit. My sewing skills need serious upcycling!