If anyone had suggested to me, five years ago, that there would come a time when I would willingly post photos of myself wearing a swimsuit on the internet, I think my response would have been a robust and expletive-riddled denial.
How times - and people - change.
I haven't been near ironized yeast, any extra pounds are probably the result of too much beer, and the ability to reveal my 51 year old self in a swimsuit, I put down to the confidence-boosting effects of blogging.
I would love a genuine vintage swimsuit, but have yet to find one that fits me properly. So the pressing need for a new cossie drove me to the high street; I'd been putting it off. A lot. I doubt very much that I am alone in finding shopping for swimwear something of a challenge.
This one came from Debenhams, in their 30% off sale. It's got a vintage vibe, I love the ruching and the flirty skirt, and the halterneck straps are detachable. And it isn't black.
I'm really happy with it.
I'm really happy with it.
(No sponsorship or freebies going on here - I bought it with my own money and everything.)
Vintage swimwear inspiration...
and some fabulous hats too.
Vintage swimwear inspiration...
and some fabulous hats too.
Swimsuit - retail (sale)
1950-60s straw hat- flea market
1970s platform shoes, 1960s raffia bag, 1960s turban, sunglasses and bangles - charity shopped
Necklace - gift from Gisela
next time, I need to add a whacking great brooch to the front of mine.
1960s Sherman of London maxi dress
I've mixed up the eras in a hopelessly chaotic fashion here; 1950s-style swimming costume, 1950-60s hat and bag, 1960s dress and 1970s shoes. Oh well.
I'll be wearing my turban to Judith's Hat Attack; I do hope she won't consider me under-dressed for the occasion.
I know I'm horribly behind with my commenting.
Work - it's playing havoc with my schedule.
Tomorrow - I'll have the mother of all catch ups tomorrow, honest!
xxx
58 comments:
First!
You look seriously amazing! Really, really, really!!!! I ADORE that swimsuit but what I adore more is how cool you made it teamed up with turban hat and those cool shoes! Ha, I wore a swimsuit last summer in a blog post which I couldn't believe I'd do but it being a bit longer, I didn'tmind!x
This, dear Curtise, is what my grandmama would have called a "pretty bathing dress". And so it is! The turban is exactly right -- but perhaps those heels do require a touch of bling.
Amazingly cute, but yes I could see how finding a true vintage would be tough to fit. I always say I was born in wrong decade. No need to bulk up the skinny on my bones. My daughter has a polka dotted swim dress halter style. She got my curves, but still in right places.
That is a great suit and you look SMOKIN' in it! <3
Soooo great!
Styled to perfection.
I really love your chutzpah!! Xo Jazzy Jack
WOW, Curtise! You look SMASHING in your suit! I'm so glad you bought it, it fits you just perfectly, and yes - great vintage vibe! I think you look absolutely fantastic, and I bet I'm not alone! :) Love the turban, the 70s heels, the necklace, and oh so adorable with the hat and bag too - you are 100% ready for Summer!
I remember it was a bit unnerving to post my photo in a swim suit last Summer, but hey - it's just us and just our bodies, not more and not less. I regret that I did not take more photos of myself when I was younger - was too busy being self-conscious. So now is just the right time. I'm so glad you think so too! It's always good to share the beauty with the world - the real, genuine beauty. Happy Summer!!!! xxxx
Stunning, Curtise! You are gorgeous in this vintage-y suit. Also, major balls to you for posting it! I have not yet had the nerve to post myself in a bathing suit (but if I had legs like yours...). Kudos!
Go you! You look gorgeous and inspirational in that swimsuit!!
I LOVE the style of your swimsuit! It's so cute and flattering, it makes me want to go shopping for a new swimsuit (which is pretty crazy as I hate shopping for swimsuits!). And a great color too :)
Hell, if I had yer body I'd forgo proper clothes and just wear the suit all summer. You look great (and my heart skipped several beats at the sight of those shoes and the straw bag! My god, woman you know how to put an outfit together for maximum, "WOW")!
Hope work is going well.
I have a couple vintage suits, but cotton is really best for sunbathing, not swimming. If you intend to do more than sit poolside sipping a drink (which I wholeheartedly endorse)a modern suit will be more practical. You found a really pretty one.
P.S.
Happy Birthday. You know I'd totally bake you a cake if we were neighbours. Don't worry, I'd get you drunk too.
Many happy returns.
Damn, you look GORGEOUS!!! :)
You are, as we Americans say, a perfect English rose!!
Oh Curtise, you look aaaaaamaZING!
I take my hat off to you for daring to bare.
I wish I had your self-confidence (and legs!)
Wearing a sleeveless blouse is as much as I can handle. Seriously.
You are an inspiration and I love you x
Woo Hoo! I've been thinking about this very thing, as I am sewing bathing suits. Will I post them to the blog? Not that could just be crazy talk for me. You my dear, have a lovely silhouette and your swimsuit is flattering! Thank you for posting so many inspirational suits, and hats too! Love, love that first pic featuring the bling on the suit and the flipped back hat! Speaking of bling, I love your necklace! It's perfect with your bathing suit!
LEEEEGGGGSSSS!!Bloody fab, darling! It's a lovely cossie, very flattering and I like the vintage vibe going on and of course, the turban! Where has the style gone form beachwear I ask? More turbans and scarves I say. My mum always had something stylish wrapped around her head on the Seventies beaches...it didn't matter that it was in Barry Island for a weekend in a caravan!
Right now, off you go with your legs to St Tropez and knock 'em all dead.
Loves ya!
xxxxxxx
Oh baby you are so beach/pool/holiday ready!! I love your swimsuit, we call those TOGS here in NZ! I have one with a skirt, I think it is more flattering than the sort I used to wear when I was young and firm. I do hope you wear all your accessories when you take it for a real spin.
Your new swimmers are very pretty and you look fab in them.
Great pair of pins there!
Sounds like the new job is keeping you busy, hope it's a good type of busy.
Lisa x
WOW! do you look fabulous!!! those sky high legs!!! and not a half pound to much IMO!
the swimsuit is pretty chic for a highstreet one - even better it was on sale. and i really love your "cross-era"styling - it´ s not chaotic - it´s totally cool because all the pieces play together just perfect!
i know i should wear a one piece in public - but as someone you likes to swim naked this is toooo much fabric.... so i avoid crowded places like pools and do my swimming in a lake or river in the middle of nature.
i was aware that you would have been very busy with your new job! take your time :-)
xxxxxxxx
Love the swimsuit and you look wonderful wearing it.
You look absolutely fabulous!!!!!!
xx
Wow, look at you foxy lady! You have a figure to die for!
I love the swimsuit teamed with the straw hat and bag. Perfect!
It's good to be busy at work, I hope you're enjoying it.
Have a wonderful day xx
Swit swoo, we need to see those legs more often!! You look absolutely sensational in that swimsuit, it's incredibly flattering on you. And you've done the very sensible thing and wear a swimsuit with heels and make-up and accessories, which instantly makes it more of an outfit and much more photogenic than just standing in bare feet (I'm thinking of some terrible swimsuit photos of myself here!!).
At first glance, I thought it was vintage - well done Debenhams!
xx
Va-va-voom!
Fabulous and wow-ee! The heels are pretty fantastic too. You are a complete babe. xox
What a proper bathing beauty. You look fabulous. I love how you have styled this. Looks so elegant and vintage. You could have stepped out of a 30's pic from the South of France. Fabulous colours as well. You have a brilliant figure and are rocking your cozies. Xxxx
Oh, looking gorgeous! I don't see any "beer pounds", you are in a perfect shape, so sexy! The swimsuit is so pretty, I like this type of design too. And I like how you styled it with a turban and a hat, it adds some glamour to the look.
HOT MAMMA ALERT!!!
Seriously! You are looking all kinds of fabulous here! All I can add is " You GO girl!"
bisous
Suzanne
Phwoar!! That is one hot bod in a gorgeous swimsuit. What a great buy. I reckon you should wear it in the city centre and go splash about in the Peace Garden if it's as sizzling in Sheffield as it is here!
I thought you said that turbans didn't suit you. You're dead wrong.
Love the Sherman frock and that rather fabulous sun hat, too.
Looking hot, hot, hot lady!
Love you! xxxx
you really look fabulous & very stylish in your swim suit. Amazing figure x
Good Lord woman, you look so frickin' hot in that suit! The shape and colour are so flattering on you, and your skin looks amazing. And of course, there are those gorgeous gams! It's rather empowering when you find a bathing suit that you feel comfortable enough in to post a photo for the world to see, isn't it? I was gifted a lovely one piece a couple of years back, and it was the first photo I'd had taken of me in a bathing suit in decades that I liked. I'm drawn to the shapes of vintage swimsuits - the longer leg (or skirt) and the ruching are very kind to us "mature women".
BRAVO!!!
Love the bathers (happy to use this word that I haven't said in years), don't you look fab! I've seen a few lovely vintage style suits around this year xxx
Oh you look absolutely gorgeous in your cossie Curtise and I would have thought it vintage if you hadn't give the game away.
Your dress is fab too.
You are right about blogging giving us confidence, I would never have had my pic taken before.
Lynn xxx
That's a great swimsuit you bought Curtise, you look fab in it, no wonder you're pleased with your find xx
Fantastic! You fit right in here with the vintage ads. What a great find, and on sale no less. Love it with the turban. Man, I hated how I looked in a swim suit in my 30's let alone my 50's. You've got a great shape!
You are an absolute, mind-boggling BATHING BEAUTY in this, Curtise. No joke. Awesome swimsuit and it looks stunning on you. The shoes and turban are perfect accessories. I love your vintage gallery too. You've definitely caught the glamour.
Perfection! I love this post!
Wow just wow!
Spectacular post my dear! Just spectacular! And may I say you look absolutely gorgeous in your suit!! xox
Wow! You look amazing in your cozzie! You could easily star in an Esther Williams remake! Love the vintage years mix up too, it all looks fabulous together xxx
You look like a milion pounds ! you have nice figure, Wow!!! Best
You look very much the poster girl in your vintage vibe bathing suit and turban. Your chosen accessories are perfect, mixing the eras works so well. Love all your photos from the era. Enjoy your Summer sun .
She got leeeeegs, knows how to use 'em! I think this is my favourite ever Curtise outfit. I thought maxis were undisputably you, but it turns out you've been wearing far too many clothes!! :) you are such a looker and I love love love the way you've styled it. I tell you what your timing is perfect. Have you been gliding effortlessly around a lido in synch with Claudia and Nina during this heat wave? I'm thinking of buying a paddling pool to stay cool! Xxxxx
Go go gadget glamour! That suit looks fantastic on you - if you've got it, flaunt it. And you've got it.
Gosh you really are 'Curtise the BOD'. Those legs, those arms, that torso and tush. I'd be frolicking in a cozzie all the time if I were you, or Vix! Looking H O T. I'm just catching up on some of your posts now, I haven't even looked at my blog roll for a couple of weeks. This growing a baby thing is taking up all my energy. Xx
Oh Curtise, you look fabulous. What a great figure you have and I love that you're au naturel, not orange! You are hot stuff lady.
I've just bought a few bikinis for my summer hols but we are off to Norfolk so they might be accessorised by a polar fleece. Would I be brave enough to post swimwear shots on my blog? Depends if I can look half this good! xxxx
You look fabulous and it's about time the internet saw that! My favourite colours on you too! I loathe bathing suit shopping and loathe wearing bathing suits and am not a fan of swimming or tanning so I don't own a suit. You could almost convince me to get one though. xoxoxo
You look absolutely fabulous in your swimsuit. Quite the beauty, I must say. Love the vintage photos of headwear. I cannot resist a great turban. Thank you so much for sharing your gorgeous headwear with Hat Attack!
Total babe!!!!!!!
fooled me on that suit not being vintage. Very cool. You look wonderful.
You look fab!
If I looked like that in a cossie I would wear it to do the Asda shop in! X
Fab styling Curtise, all that's missing is a fag in a cigarette holder. Trés elegant darling.
x
You have the perfect body for that GORGEOUS suit.You look better than any Picture postcard, dear Curtise
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I know I've commented already, but my email contacts have all disappeared and I just wanted to ask, if you still have my email address could you resend me your home address please, lovely lady. ♥
You look amazing in that swimsuit. Ian looking forward to catching up with your life. X
I do declare you look deliciously delectable! You have been hiding those pins too long Mrs. The costume the hat and the heels are all fabulous. I may have to pay a visit to Debenhams this week and check out the remaining stocks.
youre looking pretty bloody good for a 51 year old i must say! i really hope i can look as good as you when im older. going by my family history im destined to blow up post babies - so i have to very careful not to enjoy too many donuts, though i love them so much! your swimsuit is very chic and adorable! i love it
youre looking pretty bloody good for a 51 year old i must say! i really hope i can look as good as you when im older. going by my family history im destined to blow up post babies - so i have to very careful not to enjoy too many donuts, though i love them so much! your swimsuit is very chic and adorable! i love it
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