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Bathing suit

Designer Claire McCardell American
Manufacturer Townley Frocks American
1945
Not on view
McCardell understood the skivvies connection: underwear and swimwear. Using fastenings and jersey material appropriated from underwear, she made her version of the little black dress as a beach outfit. More often, McCardell bathing suites are of cotton stripes and plaids.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Bathing suit
  • Designer: Claire McCardell (American, 1905–1958)
  • Manufacturer: Townley Frocks (American, 1929–1938; 1940–ca. 1968)
  • Date: 1945
  • Culture: American
  • Medium: wool, rayon, plastic
  • Credit Line: Gift of Mrs. A. Moore Montgomery, 1970
  • Object Number: 1970.153.2
  • Curatorial Department: The Costume Institute

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Bathing suit
Claire McCardell (American, 1905–1958)
1945
Evening dress, Claire McCardell American, silk, American
Evening dress
Designer Claire McCardell
Manufacturer Townley Frocks
1950
Gray and Brass, John Sloan American, Oil on canvas, American
Gray and Brass
John Sloan
1907
Suit, Claire McCardell American, cotton, American
Suit
Designer Claire McCardell
Manufacturer Townley Frocks
1953–57
Necklace, Meta Overbeck American, Gold, emeralds, Montana sapphires, topazes, enamel, American
Necklace
Meta Overbeck
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Manufacturer Tiffany & Co.
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