Summer is just around the corner, soon we will be back at the beach. We may be able to travel, but otherwise we may have actually gotten used to the idea of the Danish summer weather, and perhaps you are one of the many who have started dipping their toes early in the cold water or even winter baths?

Again this year, we get lots of beautiful retro swimsuits and bikinis in vintage style for our wonderful Mondo customers, both wonderful old favorites such as polka dots but also new beautiful floral patterns in beautiful colors.

We have written the history of the swimsuit and the bikini here - if you want to read how it all came to be, but if you want to read more about the bikini and the swimsuit wave in Golden age Hollywood, look here.

The bikini was a favorite among 1940s pinups and aspiring actresses. Thus, the famous picture of Betty Grable seen in a bathing suit from behind is still counted as one of the 100 most famous and influential pictures.

The bikini is invented

From the 1930s, the bathing suit was no longer just for bathing in. Part of the 1930s focus on health and the healthy body also went wrong, namely sunbathing. In the 1930s people started to have paid holidays and that meant more beach and more swimwear. They began to introduce lower necklines, to remove sleeves and to make a more tight-fitting bathing suit. The two-piece bath set was also invented. But it was Louis Réard who launched the bikini in July 1946, 4 days after the first American nuclear test at Bikini Atoll.

Apart from the fact that there was now a two-piece bathing set, and that this had a punchy new name, the new thing was that the lower part did not cover the navel. By that definition, many of the pinups weren't actually wearing the new bikinis, but rather the 'old' glamorous two-piece bathing suits.

The rise of the pinup girl in the 1940s during the war, as well as the fascination with all things swimming, made the bikini a big hit. Many famous actresses started their careers by posing in the new invention.

From right to left; Ava Gardner, Bettie Page and Elizabeth Taylor in swimwear

Hollywood stars and starlets

Rita Hayworth, Ava Gardner, Betty Grable, Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor. In addition to having in common that they were the very big stars of Hollywood's golden age, from the mid-1940s to the mid-1950s, all actresses have benefited from photos in swimsuits to boost their careers.

When the film Gilda was in cinemas, it was reported that a nuclear bomb planned to be tested on Bikini Atoll in the Pacific Marshall Islands would bear a picture of Hayworth, a reference to her 'bombshell' status. Although it was meant as a compliment, Hayworth took it very badly. Did this help give Louis Réard the idea for the bikini? In any case, it says something about the status it was to be a "bombshell", and that the swimwear could not claim a share of the credit.

We've probably all seen the nice photos of a young Marilyn Monroe, who tried to make the film studios aware of her with her bikini photos. But also as a well-known actress, she appeared in films and in pictures in bikinis.

The gorgeous actresses simply managed to look glamorous wherever they were; and also by the pool or beach

Aqua the greatness of the musical

A type of film that is completely extinct today is the Aqua musical, but in the 1940s and 1950s the Aqua musical was all the rage. Not many people today will have seen a classic aqua musical, they are seen as kitsch from a bygone era, but they were resoundingly successful in the middle of the century.

That the films have not survived is probably due to the somewhat trivial plot line, which was recycled for each and every film: girl swims; boy falls in love. Nevertheless, they became huge successes with audiences after the Second World War and the reason must probably be found elsewhere than in the depth of the action.

They benefited from the new technicolor and the new cameras that could film underwater, but of course the prospect of seeing beautiful women wearing only swimwear in an era where there were restrictions on such things also helped to increase the popularity of the films.

Queen of the aqua musical, Esther Williams appeared in more than twenty MGM water-themed films and became one of the most famous actresses in Hollywood.

Esther Williams Swimsuit

The beautiful one-piece vintage swimsuit from Esther Williams has an incredibly flattering fit. It leans on the vintage bathing suits as you see them in the 1940s and 1950s, on e.g. pinup girls and Hollywood stars. Think the well-known Betty Grable pinup photos from World War II, or the many beautiful photos of Marilyn Monroe.

It is the ultimate 50s swimsuit . The swimsuit has a halter neck and soft pleats at the front as well as a small skirt. In addition, there are soft cups that gently hold the bust in place. This style suits all body shapes and is super flattering. We have it in many sizes from size small to 5x-large and in lots of colors and prints, so you can be sure that there is always a vintage 50s swimsuit that fits your body type and unique personality!

A vintage swimsuit is so flattering and iconic in its expression that you will feel beautiful and sexy at the same time. It is a fantastic alternative to the bikini.

Mondo Kaos carries the iconic swimsuit in several different colors, including polka dots, Hawaiian print, gingham check, pure sapphire blue and emerald green, and of course the classic cherry print!

We also got a brand new bathing suit home with wide straps and skirt in a wonderful retro pattern in red with white flowers.

See all bikinis from Ester Williams here

One of the things we love about Esther Williams swimwear is that the swimwear really keeps everything so securely in place that they are not only perfect for swimming but can easily be brought to the beach bar or lunch with e.g. a pair of shorts or a skirt over. Of course, you can also easily throw on a summer dress over your Esther Williams bathing suit when you need to continue from the beach.