Questions about vintage Catalina Bathing Suit

[amandainvermont]

I’m finally working on listings. This is such a cute suit and it’s in great condition. However - the Catalina label is the only tag I can find on it.... no size. My mannequin is a size 4 and it’s snug on her ... in a good way.

Safe to say it’s 40’s 50’s? There’s a big old metal zipper up the back, hook and eye closures and the straps button in the back - could be crossed. It is made of a stretchy material that is still in perfect condition - “fabulastic” I believe it was called.

What is odd is the manner in which the “lining “ is attached. They are not full panty liners - rather they are sewn around the inside of the leg as shown. Once on the body they seem to disappear.... but I suppose I should disclose!

 

[glamoursurf]

Hi Amanda,

Looks 50's to me and what a great plaid.

 

[hatfeathers]

oh, wow! That's a great suit!
I'd save this back or put it in a store until next spring a month or so before VLV.

 

[vintageclothesline]

Does the label say..a California Creation...or a California Creator?

edited: There's a 50s label like this in the Label Resource

I have an article from a 1946 Post magazine on the California Creators with lots of fabulous pictures. I must get to scanning soon.

 

[amandainvermont]

Yes indeed = thanks - it is Creator - I was thinking it might be late 40s or early 50s. Of course when I measured the bust I found one of the "bones" was missing. There's one thin bone on each side for the chest. What interests me is that the elastic is in such fine - like new - condition. I wanted to list it quickly to get it in with the sports promotion.

Also ... I have yet to use eBay's new listing form and the seller's sourcebook form and I have to practice because my brother has given me a nice watch to sell and I don't want to mess up his listing.

 

[vintageclothesline]

Amanda, it could be late 40s, early 50s. The California Creators started in 1945 according to this article I have.

I use Seller Sourcebook and their Ebay form is easy. The only thing is you cannot schedule it. It starts when you submit it.

 

[fuzzylizzie]

This is a super suit! These plaids were very popular in the 50s. I have one in my collection, same label and very similar to yours, that I found in an ad - 1955.

In the last few days I've had an on-slaught of swimsuit labels, mostly Jantzen, but also others. I'm planning to work through my vintage magazines looking for the swimsuit ads to see how the fonts changed. That should be a real help in dating. It will be added to the label resource. Anyone who has dated ads are more than welcome to send photos of the fonts to me!

Lizzie