2-Piece Swimsuit (retired)

[American Girl Rescue]

Released in 2007, retired in 2009.

During World War Two, it was considered patriotic to use less fabric for clothes, so two-piece swimsuits like this one for Emily became popular. Emily’s swimsuit set features: A two-piece swimsuit in a periwinkle gingham check with yellow rickrack accents, A straw hat trimmed with yellow daisies, White canvas sandals to protect Emily's feet from the hot sand.



Emily’s 2-Piece Swimsuit
Item# F5712
$24 (price increase to $28 Jan. 2009)

During World War Two, it was considered patriotic to use less fabric for clothes, so two-piece swimsuits like this one for Emily became popular.

Emily’s swimsuit set features:

* A two-piece swimsuit in a periwinkle gingham check with yellow rickrack accents
* A straw hat trimmed with yellow daisies
* White canvas sandals to protect Emily's feet from the hot sand

I think this is very cute set. I wonder if it doesn't show too much skin for a 9 year old in 1944, but it's still nice. The yellow rick-rack is so perfect. The top closes in the back with velcro, but just ties around the neck with a blue ribbon.

The bottom has built in panties as would be fitting for a swim suit. The canvas sandals have a buckle, but it's just for show. The shoes close with velcro.

The fabric is not stretchy like swimsuit material, but it's not cotton either. It is some type of synthetic blend, maybe closer to polyester.

The hat is a straw weave and looks just like Josefina's Riding hat with a blue ribbon and three silk daisies.

Good if you need more swimwear. Grade B+

[Captain Syd]

I just bought this set at Dallas, kind of on impulse because I got Em for my birthday and knew this was retiring.
I'm kind of torn about it... I do love it and I think it's adorable, but I've been researching swimwear in the 40s since I got it, and it seems more appropriate for someone in their late teens, early twenties, which bugs me.
But that's just me.

Everything else, American Girl Rescue covered fabulously, but here's a photo or two:




Close-up of the shoes, which I love:



Overall, I give it a B+.

[sailormolly]

I agree with Captain Syd about this not really being appropriate for a 10 year old.

I wasn't sure I wanted it at first. But when it went on sale on Cyber Monday I decided to grab it. I'm glad I did. It's quite a bit nicer in person. But the bikini top still bugs me. I think it looks MUCH better with the cover up that michele made for me.

Overall I give it a B.

Here's a picture of Kirsten wearing the suit.
swimsuits by Elizabeth, on Flickr

SailorMolly

[saralovesag]

Emily's Swimsuit

Includes:
hat
shoes
bikini top
bikini bottom

I love Emily's Swimsuit! It comes with many parts, and I believe it was worth the money spent. Emily's hat is made of straw and has a pretty blue ribbon running all the way around the hat, with a bow in the back. It also has a fake daisy attached. Emily's shoes are one of my favorite parts of this outfit. They are peep toe sandals, with a "terry" look to them. I am glad to say they do not continue to fall apart, despite the look. Emily looks styling in her bikini top, which is made of a swimsuit like material. Her skirt has an attached "undies", and is made of the same material. You can secure Emily's top by tying the blue ribbon in a bow. I have found Emily's Swimsuit to be very durable. I have had it for about 3 or 4 years and it shows no sign of wear. It still looks like new! This set has many options for play, both for girls and collectors. I personally have used it to set up camp scenes with Molly, and to take many pictures. I find this set to show up well in pictures. I strongly persuade you to buy this set. I purchased it directly from American Girl for $28, and I believe it was worth it.

I also find this very historically accurate. Because fabric was needed for other things overseas, this swimsuit would have been a patriotic choice. Although I don't believe that bikinis should be worn, I would have during WW2, and given the circumstances, this is a patriotic choice.

Overall Grade: A

EDIT: I did a photo shoot with Emily wearing this outfit. You can view the pictures here: saralovesag.blogspot.com/2012/07/emily-outdoors-photo-shoot.html

[keeperofthepast]

Since it's hot outside, I will continue with reviewing a friend's collection. I like Emily's swimsuit, in fact better than Molly's due to the sweet blue gingham and yellow rickrack. The skirt is darling and the shoes are extremely cute. Yes, the top is a little skimpy, but my mom recalls having similar two piece swimsuits in the years after the war even though she would have been a tad younger than Emily. The hat is super sweet as well.