item details
NameBathing costume, woman's (with matching headband)
ProductionSlix; manufacturer(s); 1960s-1970s; New Zealand
Classificationbathing suits
Materialssynthetic fibre, mesh
Techniquesmachine sewing
DimensionsOverall: 300mm (width), 660mm (length)
Registration NumberGH017436
Credit linePurchased 2012
Overview
This hybrid bikini-one-piece suit shows woman's bathing suits evolved into skimpier forms in the 1960s and 1970s. Some woudl call it a 'miokini', which is an abbreviation of maillot-bikini. (Maillot is the French term for a one-piece bathing suit.)
The overlay of mesh is a notable shift away from more feminine and glamourous swimwear decoration and embelishment favoured in the 1950s, such as frills, gathers, ruching, lace and lurex.