Kamehameha swimsuit

persephone60

Registered Guest
I have a Miss Hawaii suit by the Kamehameha Garment Company. I saw on the label page that Miss Hawaii swimsuits were made in the 70s by the Kamehameha Garment Company. However, I did some additional research on-line, and it looks like these swimsuits were also made in the 50s and 60s. Does anyone have any idea on how to date this suit within that time frame?

I've attached a few pics.
 
The label resource does not say that Miss Hawaii swimsuits were made in the 70's.

The label resource is stating that one label shown was TAKEN from a 1970's swimsuit.

You are not using the resource correctly.


The labels shown on the resource are taken from a dated garmet. The labels could have been used in other decades but the label shown is from the specific date of the garmet the person has.
 
I apologize that I miscommunicated my use of the label resource. I was trying to say that I knew from the label resource that this Miss Hawaii swimsuits were made as late as the 70s, but that I knew from additional research they were also made in other decades.

I do know that the Miss Hawaii label on the label resource is only one garment and doesn't indicate the only decade the suits were made. Hence my question--I know the suits were made in multiple decades, so I need help dating the suit more precisely.

Sorry that this wasn't clear in my original post.
 
Here is what I'm thinking after my research: most likely 50s--there are no care or fabric content labels, and the material is more like a fabric you'd find on clothing than on a swimsuit (there's not a lot of stretch). There's a white lining, where the elastic for the legs is. And it has a metal zipper.
 
that is gorgeous!! and the condition looks amazing!!

with the bright contrast colorway? i would put it at 60s, or even early 70s, not 50s. I'm sure Pam will be along w/her expertise.
 
Thanks Mary and others! This is why I need dating help!

Given that it's likely from the 60s or earlier 70s, I have a question about fabric content labels. I read that they were mandated after 1960--was this largely adhered to, or do you find a lot of 60s garments without fabric content labels? (I realize this is not a sure fire way to date things because there can be content labels earlier than 1960, and garments from later decades can have tags removed or be homemade without tags.) To what extent do you all find fabric content labels (either presence or lack of) helpful in dating items?

And thanks! Aside from a small pull on the waist tie that is repairable, the suit is in pristine condition--the white lining is spotless.
 
I'm pretty sure the material is cotton. The straps do button--here's a picture of the back of the suit. I can take a close-up of the inside of the bust.
 
Here's one close-up of the bust area--the cups are made out of a stiff woven nylon-like material with a woven fabric backing that lies against the skin.
 
looks mid-60s to me. (colors, print, metal zipper, metal buttons on back, cut, style of cups.) interested to see what pam says, though. she's the bathing suit expert.
 
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