London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Tuesday, Mar 31, 2026

From the Archives: Swimwear Style Inspiration By the Decade

From the Archives: Swimwear Style Inspiration By the Decade

Sunshine and sea-filled summer days are nearly upon us; stay cute and cool this upcoming season with swimwear inspiration from the best vintage swim styles from the pages of L’OFFICIEL throughout the years.

As spring dwindles down to its last days and a much-needed release from stay-at-home style grows nearer, we’ve rounded up some of the hottest swimwear trends of decades past in honor of summer’s imminent arrival. From little black bikinis to monochromatic one-pieces and mix-and-matched styles, these vintage L’OFFICIEL swimwear photos have got you covered for your next ocean getaway (or poolside break!).

1920s




Tap into the swim silhouettes of the 1920s, which exemplified playful effortlessness without compromising femininity and sophistication-a perfect fit for this century’s (hopefully soon-to-be) roaring ‘20s, as well.

1930s




Fun in the sun is made even easier with wearable, fuss-free one-piece suits, which easily become multi-purpose pieces when paired with a skirt and worn as a top, as demonstrated in the Nina Ricci advertisement above.

1940s




Seeking fuller-coverage swimwear that still has curve-accentuating capacities? Look no further than the sweetheart-neckline, high-waisted suits of the ‘40s.

1950s




Ruffles, ruching, and midriffs, oh my-elevate your poolside style and get inspired by the timeless elegance of the refined swimwear fashions of the 1950s.

1960s




There’s an undeniable optimism in the eccentricity of a metallic swimsuit. Drop the subtlety this summer and make a splash with bold, retro, and certifiably Instagram-worthy swimwear.

1970s




Sex, drugs, and colorblocking-pay homage to the ‘70s and catch some rays in a geo-print, multi-colored suit this summer.

1980s




Opt for celebratory brights and nostalgic patterns in a nod to the polka-dotted, asymmetrical suits of the ‘80s.

1990s




Allow yourself a Baywatch moment and dip into the must-have, high-legged one-piece suits of the ‘90s. If that’s not your speed, not to worry-try a high-waisted bikini and embellish your look with a chunky statement necklace to top it off, instead.

2000s




The art of the barely-there bikini is one that will simply never die. Channel your inner Xtina and indulge in a micro-bikini this summer and every summer to come (it’s only right).

2010s




The 2010s ushered in more diversified swimwear offerings than ever before. Whether it be a micro-bikini, a halter-neck suit, or a strapless one-piece, make a statement and strut your stuff in the silhouettes you feel most comfortable in.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Russia Expels British Diplomat as UK Pushes Back Against Pressure
White House App Faces Scrutiny After Claims of Continuous User Location Tracking
BBC Faces Scrutiny Over Allegations of Paid Content Linked to Saudi Arabia
UK-France Coastal Patrol Agreement Nears Breakdown Amid Migration Pressures
UK Police Detain Pro-Palestine Activist Again Weeks After Bail Release
FTSE 100 Advances as Energy and Mining Shares Gain Amid Middle East Tensions
Eli Lilly Seeks UK Pricing Deal to Unlock Renewed Pharmaceutical Investment
Three Arrested in UK After Massive Cocaine Haul Discovered Hidden in Banana Shipment
UK Fuel Prices Poised for Further Surge Amid Global Energy Pressures
Apple Subsidiary Penalized by UK Authorities for Breach of Moscow Sanctions
Western Allies Intensify Coordinated Sanctions Strategy Against Russia
UK Lawmakers Face Criticism Over Renewed Push for Social Media Restrictions
Starmer Signals UK Crackdown on Addictive Social Media Features
Rising Costs Push One in Five UK Hospitality Businesses to the Brink of Closure
Man Arrested on Suspicion of Attempted Murder After Car Strikes Pedestrians in UK, Injuring Seven
Escalating Conflict Involving Iran Tightens Fiscal Pressures and Highlights UK Economic Vulnerabilities
UK Moves to Confront Russian ‘Shadow Fleet’ Operating in Its Waters
UK Housing Divide Deepens as Older Owners Hold Wealth While Under-30s Face Mounting Barriers
London Demonstration Calls on UK to Recognize Iranian Opposition’s Provisional Government
UK Green Party Vote on ‘Zionism is Racism’ Motion Collapses Amid Internal Disputes and Technical Failures
SNL UK Ignites Debate with Sharp Royal Satire Targeting Prince Andrew and Prince William
EU Proposes ‘Emergency Brake’ to Resolve Deadlock in UK Youth Mobility Talks
Thousands Rally in London to Oppose Rise of Far-Right Movements
Hong Kong Official Rejects Allegations of Surveillance Orders Targeting UK-Based Dissidents
PayPal Expands Cryptocurrency Services to Allow UK Users to Buy and Sell Bitcoin
UK Minister Challenges Reform Party’s ‘Pro-Family’ Agenda as Debate Intensifies
Concerns Grow Over Meningitis Risk Among UK Students Amid Warning Signs of New Outbreaks
Japanese Grand Prix 2026: Schedule, UK Start Times and Full Broadcast Details
Electric Vehicles Seen as Strategic Solution to UK Fuel Reserve Concerns
Rise of Lone-Actor Threats and Online Radicalisation Drives New Wave of Antisemitic Attacks in the UK
Canada Advances Plan to Ban Cryptocurrency Donations in Election Campaigns
UK Faces Looming Medicine Shortages as Iran Conflict Threatens Supply Chains
Deadly Meningitis Outbreak in the U.K. Highlights Urgent Need for Vaccination
Fresh Claims Emerge Over Harry and Meghan’s Australia Visit as Insider Speaks Out
NATO Assessment Indicates UK Defence Spending Has Fallen Below Alliance Average
FTSE 100 Slips as Middle East Tensions Weigh on Investor Sentiment
UK Economy Begins to Feel Early Impact of Iran Conflict as Policy Challenges Intensify
Russian National Jailed in UK After Assault Case Linked to Barron Trump’s Alert
Energy Price Surge Accelerates Shift Away from Fossil Fuels in UK Homes
UK Museums House More Than 260,000 Human Remains, New Report Reveals
Surging UK Gilt Yields Reflect Inflation Pressures and Fiscal Uncertainty
UK Issues Updated Guidance on Children’s Screen Time with Focus on Balance and Wellbeing
UK Migration Figures Show Shifting Trends Across Asylum, Visas and Channel Crossings
UK Watchdog Launches Probe into Five Firms Over Alleged Fake Reviews and Ratings
Jaguar Land Rover Halts Production at UK Plant Amid Supplier Disruption
UK Police Reverse Position, Confirm Arrests Will Resume for Palestine Action Protests
UK Small Businesses Face Europe’s Steepest Cost Pressures, New Survey Reveals
US Envoy Urges UK to Proceed with King’s Visit Amid Diplomatic Sensitivities
FTSE 100 Drops Over One Percent as Middle East Tensions Weigh on Markets
UK CO2 Plant Set to Reopen as Authorities Move to Safeguard Supplies Amid Middle East Tensions
×