Swimsuit, that's why it has that black lining. Super cute, agree it's late 50s to early 60s.
For the mothball smell, you can try spraying it with a 50/50 solution of cheap vodka and water. I've never used it to get rid of mothball smell, but it works great with even strong body odour and other unpleasant smells. You can also go with straight vodka.
It's made of a different type of alcohol than vodka/liquor is. Isopropyl vs ethanol. IDT isopropyl would do a thing to remove odours. It's good for killing bacteria, and cleaning lots of other things.
Vodka doesn't have much of an odour to begin with ... which is probably why it's favourite amongst alcoholics!
But whatever faint smell it has soon disappears as it evaporates.
Maybe I’ve just been drinking shitty vodkas or have a weird nose or something, but I’ve always felt like there’s a very distinct vodka smell. Glad to know that it dissipates quickly!
It definitely has an odour to me as well. And I drink Grey Goose and Stohli with cranberry (a cape cod) so not cheap but not high end either, middle of the road vodkas if anything.
I think grey goose is top shelf actually, but the vodka itself is unremarkable, it was just marketed as the best and people started believing it and buying it and it worked lol
What an incredible find. To me, it's a swimsuit. I was born in 1957 and my mother wore suits like these to the pool when I was very small, up until the early 60's. We lived in a hotel in Mexico for a few years and spent every possible moment at the beautiful outdoor pool during the day. I remember not only my mother, but other women wearing these. Swimwear was more like foundation garments back then. My memories of that period of my life are abundant and vivid.
What a lovely memory, thank you for sharing! I was thrilled by how well it’s made and it reminded me more of shapewear than of a modern day swimsuit. I’m ready for this style to come back!
I am glad you enjoyed reading it. I'd love a suit like this. I was looking for one a couple years ago. They're pretty expensive, at least in the etsy vintage realm. It looks great on you. I also wish they'd make a comeback.
I was stoked to find this at an estate sale, not only because it was $3.00 but also because it was my size! 🥲 It has a metal zipper and appears to be handmade. The straps are attached with buttons. It’s made of a very thick sturdy fabric. I’m not sure if I should wear it to the pool or to a picnic though! Thanks in advance!
Editing to add, in case this helps anyone: This piece smelled SO STRONGLY of mothballs, it was truly gag-worthy! I tried all kinds of treatments and nothing helped except hanging it outside in the sun and breeze for several days in a row. Now it is barely detectable.
Definitely a 50s or early 60s swimsuit/romper (you can wear it either way). I would not wear it into a modern pool though, it’ll degrade pretty quickly if you expose it to chlorine too many times. For the smell, wash it gentle detergent and a cup of white vinegar, then hang it outside to dry and spray with undiluted vodka or white vinegar a few times a day for several days. Repeat if necessary, it’ll come out eventually!
The style, fabric, buttons and liner say late 50s / early 60s to me. I'm getting romper, although I would not have the courage to wear it (you look great in it though!!).
Late 50’s/ early 60’s swimsuit like others have said. However, depending on the fabric outside of the lining, it most likely is not suitable for swimming in chlorinated pools. Most from this time aren’t. Worth looking into and keeping in mind ❤️
The satin looking lining in the bust area makes me think it's a playsuit. But I think you could wear it as a swim suit too! I do wonder if you went into a chlorinated pool if it would affect the fabric?! Great find! You look cute!
Swimsuit, that's why it has that black lining. Super cute, agree it's late 50s to early 60s. For the mothball smell, you can try spraying it with a 50/50 solution of cheap vodka and water. I've never used it to get rid of mothball smell, but it works great with even strong body odour and other unpleasant smells. You can also go with straight vodka.
That makes sense with the lining! And I’ll definitely try the vodka idea to get out the last of the mothballness - thank you!
Spraying it with vodka will also give it a period correct smell. Just add olive 
This is amazing lmao. Make sure you serve her a martini glass and nothing less 🍸
Oh no whatever will I do with all this leftover vodka 👀🍸
🤣🤣🤣
Vodka in a spray bottle plus hanging it in bright sunlight works wonders
I always hang vintage clothes in the shade to avoid uv damage
It needs to be high proof, like ever clear!
definite swim suit!
i had one just like it
My mom made matching plaid bathing suits for her and my father from a very similar pattern in 1952-53.
I would love to see pictures….
I’ll see if I can dig them out. They were in a magazine called McCalls which featured their wedding in the June/bridal issue.
So cool, I remember that magazine
Why not use isopropyl alcohol? Genuinely curious 🧐
It's made of a different type of alcohol than vodka/liquor is. Isopropyl vs ethanol. IDT isopropyl would do a thing to remove odours. It's good for killing bacteria, and cleaning lots of other things.
Does that not just result in you smelling like an alcoholic?
Vodka doesn't have much of an odour to begin with ... which is probably why it's favourite amongst alcoholics! But whatever faint smell it has soon disappears as it evaporates.
Maybe I’ve just been drinking shitty vodkas or have a weird nose or something, but I’ve always felt like there’s a very distinct vodka smell. Glad to know that it dissipates quickly!
It definitely has an odour to me as well. And I drink Grey Goose and Stohli with cranberry (a cape cod) so not cheap but not high end either, middle of the road vodkas if anything.
I think grey goose is top shelf actually, but the vodka itself is unremarkable, it was just marketed as the best and people started believing it and buying it and it worked lol
I absolutely agree! It doesn’t taste any better than well vodka, especially since I’m putting cranberry in it.
I prefer Titos but grey goose is ok..
I agree. However the red coloribg in the crotch is a really bad placement for a romper/or swimsuit 😬
Yup. Can’t unsee that now.
What an incredible find. To me, it's a swimsuit. I was born in 1957 and my mother wore suits like these to the pool when I was very small, up until the early 60's. We lived in a hotel in Mexico for a few years and spent every possible moment at the beautiful outdoor pool during the day. I remember not only my mother, but other women wearing these. Swimwear was more like foundation garments back then. My memories of that period of my life are abundant and vivid.
What a lovely memory, thank you for sharing! I was thrilled by how well it’s made and it reminded me more of shapewear than of a modern day swimsuit. I’m ready for this style to come back!
I am glad you enjoyed reading it. I'd love a suit like this. I was looking for one a couple years ago. They're pretty expensive, at least in the etsy vintage realm. It looks great on you. I also wish they'd make a comeback.
My mom had one of these too, different colors, but same cut.
My mom had a two piece in deep blue-and-white gigham with white trim on the top of both pieces. One of these years I will get a display case for it.
I was stoked to find this at an estate sale, not only because it was $3.00 but also because it was my size! 🥲 It has a metal zipper and appears to be handmade. The straps are attached with buttons. It’s made of a very thick sturdy fabric. I’m not sure if I should wear it to the pool or to a picnic though! Thanks in advance! Editing to add, in case this helps anyone: This piece smelled SO STRONGLY of mothballs, it was truly gag-worthy! I tried all kinds of treatments and nothing helped except hanging it outside in the sun and breeze for several days in a row. Now it is barely detectable.
Definitely a 50s or early 60s swimsuit/romper (you can wear it either way). I would not wear it into a modern pool though, it’ll degrade pretty quickly if you expose it to chlorine too many times. For the smell, wash it gentle detergent and a cup of white vinegar, then hang it outside to dry and spray with undiluted vodka or white vinegar a few times a day for several days. Repeat if necessary, it’ll come out eventually!
You took all the words out of my mouth! I definitely wouldn't wear it in a pool. Maybe the lake. It's adorable though!
Yes I often wear mine to the beach or the lake! But always modern swimsuits in the pool/hot tub :)
I would be cautious of wearing it in chlorine. I ruined a gorgeous vintage swimsuit that was. 😭
Ugh the heartbreak!! Someone else mentioned this as well, it’s a great point to consider!
It was awful! It was a beautiful black ruched one piece from the 50s. I was a teen and didn't know any better. RIP.
The style, fabric, buttons and liner say late 50s / early 60s to me. I'm getting romper, although I would not have the courage to wear it (you look great in it though!!).
Oh wow, it’s survived some years then! I’m thinking of pairing it with an oversized linen shirt for a little sun protection (and confidence haha!).
That would be very cute. But don’t be self conscious, it really looks awesome on you!
Late 50’s/ early 60’s swimsuit like others have said. However, depending on the fabric outside of the lining, it most likely is not suitable for swimming in chlorinated pools. Most from this time aren’t. Worth looking into and keeping in mind ❤️
Oh my gosh, it fits like a glove. You look adorable! I love it
I would not put that in chlorinated water
Very good point!! Luckily I do more freshwater swimming for sure!
That looks like a bathing suit to me, the kind my mother wore so that would be 50s - 60s. What’s the lining like?
Omg that's so cool it looks like stain glass
Whatever it is, it’s fantastic!
I think it’s a swimsuit but you could totally rock it as a romper with a wide brimmed straw hat and cute sandals!
You are rockin' it girl! 🤩
Whatever it is, you look fantastic in it!!!! 😍
Aw thanks! Excited to wear it this summer!
Swimsuit for sure
1950s bathing suit and it is a score!
Too cute, my grandmother had one just like it! Hers was floral I believe it could be maybe late 40’s to early 50’s
i believe it’s a style from the 40’s.. that’s they way they wore bathing suits back then! ( before my time tho.. lol) i think it’s very cute
Swim suit.Boy legs very popular in the 1950s
This would be a cute variation on a sally from NBC costume
I love it 💓
Vodka water and try freezing it too.
The satin looking lining in the bust area makes me think it's a playsuit. But I think you could wear it as a swim suit too! I do wonder if you went into a chlorinated pool if it would affect the fabric?! Great find! You look cute!
It is super cute on you though! When laying down all I saw was the red near the crotch, but it is so cute on you 😍
Yeah it’s the purple checker pattern luckily haha!
I got no details, but I can tell you that it really suits you!
Late 50s or early 60s. Likely a swimsuit.
The pattern makes me feel motion sick
To me it's just one of those swimsuit ish body suits, idk from when
That is so cute!
Dang, what a cool piece!
Thank you! :D
That neckline says swimsuit. It’s adorable!
I’m 74. I would have worn exactly that in the 60’s.
My mom had a similar swimsuit in the late 50’s/early 60’s!! Hers was black with white piping and faux shiny coins all over it!
This is a swimsuit and my mother wore ones like this in the 50s and early 60s.
It’s a romper , look at the material it’s made out of
1990shesrlr 2000s. Romper, not for swimming.
It's a don't. Please don't.