London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Sunday, Aug 30, 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
UK Officials Highlight 80 Years of Diplomatic Relations With Philippines
Heavy Rain Disrupts Parts of England After Weeks of Extreme Summer Heat
More Than 200 Extra Police Officers Deployed Across Cleveland After Violent Incidents
Burnham Meets Northern Ireland Leaders for Talks on Economy and Youth Employment
Burnham to Abstain From UK Assisted Dying Vote
NHS Leaders Warn of Severe Financial and Staffing Pressures Ahead of Autumn
UK Treasury Prepares October Budget as Defense and Public Spending Pressures Mount
Scottish Government Publishes Draft Bill for Second Independence Referendum
Royal Navy Tracks Russian Warships and Sanctioned Vessels in 72-Hour Operation
UK and Ukraine Agree AI-Focused Defense Technology Partnership
US Reportedly Weighs Falkland Islands Policy Shift to Pressure UK Over NATO Spending
UK Government Mobilizes Emergency Aid as British Nationals Remain Missing After Nepal Floods
UK Hospitality Industry Reports Stronger Summer Trading but Seeks Tax Relief
Reform UK Proposes £30 Tax Credit for Long HMRC Helpline Waits
Labour Debates Caps on Political Donations Ahead of Future Elections
England Accelerates Housing and Planning Reforms Amid Affordability Crisis
NHS Expands Walk-In Community Health Centers to 40 Locations
UK Regulators Expect Meta to Apply Stronger Child Safety Standards Globally
UK Groups Demand Faster Transport Decarbonization After Extreme Summer Weather
UK Launches 10,000 Work Experience Placements as Youth Unemployment Concerns Rise
UK Government Faces Difficult Autumn Budget Choices Over Defense, Spending and Taxes
UK Government Rejects Calls to Slow AI Data Center Expansion
IMF Raises UK Growth Forecast to 1% Despite Global Supply Chain Risks
UK Unsecured Loan Defaults Reach Highest Level Since 2009
UK Energy Price Cap to Rise 4% to Three-Year High of £1,723
More Than 30 Britons Reported Missing After Deadly Nepal-Tibet Floods
Royal Navy Tracks Russian Warships and Sanctioned Vessels in 72-Hour Operation
Police Intensify Investigation Into Organised Crime-Linked Violence in Middlesbrough
UK Small Businesses Face Continued Revenue and Tax Pressures, Federation Says
M&G Real Estate Buys West Sussex Affordable Housing Portfolio for £29 Million
Royal Navy Warship HMS Tamar Visits Cambodia for Regional Security Engagement
UK Government Brings Forward Benefit Payments Ahead of August Bank Holiday
Four Men Plead Guilty to Arson Attack on Jewish Community Ambulances in North London
Ofgem Raises Great Britain’s Household Energy Price Cap by Four Percent From October
UK Government Rejects Green Party Call for Artificial Intelligence Datacentre Moratorium
Millions of UK Benefit Recipients Receive Payments Early Ahead of August Bank Holiday
UK Prime Minister Meets Northern Ireland Leaders in Belfast Over Budget Crisis
Crypto Tax Gains Reach One Point Three Eight Billion Pounds Among UK Investors, HMRC Data Shows
UK Corporate Confidence Rises to Highest Level Since March, Lloyds Survey Shows
Mike Ashley Attacks UK Government Business Rates and Cost-of-Living Policies
Scottish Universities Face Two Hundred Million Pound Annual Funding Gap, Report Warns
Entertainment Figures Urge UK Government to Protect People From AI Voice Cloning
Manchester Airports Group Confirms Customer Data Breached in Cyberattack
Seven Charged Over Vandalism at Donald Trump’s Turnberry Golf Resort in Scotland
Nearly 23,000 UK Households Expected to Move Home on Busiest Day of 2026
UK Benefit Payments to Arrive Early Ahead of August Bank Holiday
Reform UK Pledges to Replace GDPR and Cut Tax Administration Red Tape
Andy Burnham Launches Work Experience Plan for One Million Young People Outside Education or Work
Andy Burnham Faces Labour Backlash After Dropping Support for Political Donations Cap
Andy Burnham Announces UK-Wide Summit With Leaders of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
×