21 items
Esther Williams Retro Swimwear
We carry vintage style swimsuits & bikinis from the American brand Esther Williams Swimwear.
Since 1988, Esther Williams Swimwear has been creating swimsuits and high-waisted bikinis in classic 1940s / 1950s style, for women worldwide!
Since 1988, Esther Williams Swimwear has been creating swimsuits and high-waisted bikinis in classic 1940s / 1950s style, for women worldwide!
That Esther Williams swimwear has become so famous is of course due to the exceptionally high quality and fantastic fit. The construction and fit of the swimsuits works for all shapes and body types. Swimsuits & bikinis are molded, and the strong and comfortable material really holds on to the shapes, so you in no way feel "naked". You can also move freely when you swim - this also applies to the large-breasted women who are not otherwise halter-necked!
Esther Williams - The Million Dollar Mermaid
Esther Williams was born in 1921 and was the great swimming icon of the 40s and 50s. She started her career as a competition swimmer in Los Angeles, where she set several records, including swimming butterfly - a style that at that time was otherwise only swum by men! She was selected to participate in the Olympics in Japan in 1940, but due to World War II, the games were canceled and her swimming career was involuntarily put on pause. Esther Williams was discovered by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer film studios by swimming in Billy Rose's Aquacade, a spectacular show alongside Tarzan star Johnny Weissmuller.
MGM wanted Williams on the big screen in the new film genre Aquamusicals, which was a mix of film and water show, consisting of spectacular synchronous swimming and diving.
MGM wanted Williams on the big screen in the new film genre Aquamusicals, which was a mix of film and water show, consisting of spectacular synchronous swimming and diving.
In 1943, Williams debuted in her first feature film Andy Hardy's Double Life, starring alongside Mickey Rooney. A few small roles and two years later she got her first lead role in the Aquamusical Bathing Beauty, and from there her career as an actress really took off. Her acting career peaked in 1952 with the film The Million Dollar Mermaid, starring Williams as Annette Kellermann, an Australian swimmer who became world famous in the 1800th century for her abilities. And the nickname she kept for the rest of her life.
1952 was also the year Williams became acquainted with design for the first time. During the filming of the movie Skirts Ahoy, she had discovered that the swimsuits that were part of the female navy uniform were made of thin cotton, were informal and generally impractical for women. She decided to do something about it, and arranged a meeting with the navy, where she presented a Cole swimsuit on her own body and explained how the Cole swimsuit was far more practical for their female recruits - immediately after the meeting, 50.000 were ordered swimsuits!
The following years, Williams played several lead roles, but in 1963, she retired as an actress. She had secured her old age by investing in several different companies. Therefore, she also struck out when in 1988 she was proposed to name a retro-inspired swimwear line, on the condition that she herself helped design them!
Esther Williams Swimwear quickly became a popular brand among women worldwide, due to the amazing design and fit that makes it possible for all women to feel like mermaids in the water!
Swimwear from Esther Williams in 40s / 50s vintage style
Esther Williams swimsuit
The beautiful one-piece vintage swimsuit from Esther Williams has an incredibly flattering fit. It leans on the vintage swimsuits as you see them in the 1940s and 1950s, on e.g. pinup girls and Hollywood stars. Think the famous Betty Grable pinup photos from World War II, or the many beautiful photos of Marilyn Monroe. It's the ultimate retro swimsuit. The suit has a halter neck and soft pleats at the front as well as a small skirt. In addition, there are soft bowls that gently hold the bust in place. This style fits all body shapes and is super flattering. We have it in many sizes from size small to 2x-large and in lots of colors and prints, so you can be sure that there is always a vintage swimsuit that suits your body type and unique personality!
A vintage swimsuit is so flattering and iconic in its expression that you will at once feel beautiful and sexy. It is a great alternative to the bikini.
Mondo Kaos carries the iconic swimsuit in several different colors, including polka dots, Hawaiian print, yellow/white gingham check, pure sapphire blue and emerald green, and of course the classic cherry print!
Bikinis from Esther Williams
The fantastic vintage bikinis from Esther Williams are also very reminiscent of those we know from the pinup girls. They have the perfect vintage pin-up vibe. They fit all body shapes and figures and are incredibly flattering. They are made of a smooth fabric in the finest quality, and the top has soft bowls with reinforced sides. It has a beautiful adjustable halterneck so you can adjust it perfectly to your chest and figure.
The bikini bottom is in true vintage style, it has a timeless vintage shape with a high waist that creates the perfect hourglass figure, as well as covers the belly so you do not feel naked. Light folds in the sides give a comfortable look and flatter the hip area without you having to feel narrowed.
You will look great in a vintage bikini whether you sunbathe by the pool or take a dip!
One of the things we love about Esther Williams swimwear is that the swimwear really holds everything in place so securely that they are not only perfect for the swim but can easily be brought to the beach bar or lunch with eg a pair of shorts or a skirt over. Of course, you can also easily throw a summer swing dress over your Esther Williams swimsuit as you head on from the beach.
You can be inspired by coming down to the store or see more online.
You can also see our selection of beautiful vintage style bathing caps, which hold on to the hairstyle while you take a dip.
Visit us in the store in Copenhagen.
Do you have any questions regarding our vintage swimwear?
In the shop are we all passionate about clothing and dress lovers, and will do everything we can to help you find it absolutely perfect swimsuit in classic, feminine vintage style.
With Mondo Kaos our first priority is always happy customers. So if you have any questions, whatsoever, about our range of vintage swimwear, please do not hesitate to contact us. You can advantageously write your question to shop@mondokaos.dk, where we endeavor to respond within one working day.
Also, you are of course always welcome here in the store.