Not currently on display at the V&A

Bikini

mid 1950s (made)
Artist/Maker
Trulo (makers)
Place of origin
Britain (made)

Bathing costume, bandeau bra with removable halterneck strap attaching to top of bust cups, and high-waisted panties with wrap-over in front, shirred sides, and back zipper fastening. The bra lined with white cotton, the panties partially lined.

Object details

Categories
Womenswear
Clothing
Object type
Bikini
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.
(Some alternative part names are also shown below)
  • Bikini Top
  • Bra
  • Bikini Bottoms
  • Bra
  • Panties
  • Knickers
Materials and techniques
polished printed cotton with metal zipper.
Cotton (Textile)
Printing
Brief description
Trulo. Smoky blue polished cotton two-piece with light pink flower print. Mid-1950s.
Physical description
Bathing costume, bandeau bra with removable halterneck strap attaching to top of bust cups, and high-waisted panties with wrap-over in front, shirred sides, and back zipper fastening. The bra lined with white cotton, the panties partially lined.
Dimensions
  • Bra length: 17cm
  • Bra, unfastened width: 71cm
  • Panties length: 36cm
  • Waist, unstretched circumference: 94cm
  • Panties, laid flat, at widest point. width: 44cm
Marks and inscriptions
TRULO Regd PATENTS 476456 479194 504354 MADE IN ENGLAND UNDER LICENCE (Woven label in panties)
Credit line
Given anonymously
Object history
The label in the panties notes that three patents were registered to the design of this suit. Two of the patents (476456 and 479194) relate to the use of elastic ruching and shirring to give stretch to fabrics which do not have natural stretch, and were both filed in 1936, the first by Martin and Jack French White; and the second by Saul Alexander Hartman and Ignatz Hartman. The third patent number (504354) appears to be in error, as it relates to electric light, and does not appear to pertain to any aspect of this bathing costume.

Daniel Milford-Cottam,
03/06/2016
Collection
Textiles and Fashion Collection
Accession number
T.84:1&2-2016

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdMay 5, 2016
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O1351634/bikini-trulo/
Download as: JSON