I spent a sunny weekend testing real 70s beachwear and a few faithful remakes. Think bold stripes, belts on bikinis, crochet, and soft terry cloth. My mom kept old Polaroids, so I had a mood board right there on the fridge. Cute? Yes. Easy? Sometimes. Let me explain.
Before I even dug through thrift bins, I spent an evening scrolling the archives at Super70s.com for era-perfect inspiration—highly recommended. If you’d like the blow-by-blow of exactly what I packed, wore, and washed over those three salty days, my complete weekend diary has the full timeline and photos.
The Belted Bikini That Looks Like a Poster
I found a vintage Jantzen high-waist bikini, bright orange, with a tortoise-look ring and a skinny belt. It’s the exact “Baywatch auntie” vibe. I loved it. Then I moved.
- The good: The high waist smoothed my middle. The belt gave shape. The top had sturdy cups and real stitching, not flimsy.
- The weird: That ring gets hot. Like, don’t lie flat on a noon-day towel kind of hot. Also, the belt was cute but pinchy when wet. Does it photograph well? Very. Does it flex while bodyboarding? Not really.
Fit notes: Vintage Jantzen runs tight. I sized up one from my usual and still got a snug waist. The leg line is modest, which I liked for chasing a frisbee.
Care tip: Rinse right after the beach. Salt made the belt stiff till I soaked it.
Crochet Dreams, Wet Reality
I tried a She Made Me crochet halter with matching bottoms (natural cotton, tiny wood beads). It felt like music festival meets seaside. On sand, I felt like a 70s album cover. In water, it stretched a bit and took its sweet time to dry.
- Lounge score: 10/10. Soft. Pretty. People asked about it nonstop.
- Swim score: 5/10. Fine for a calm float. Not great for waves. Cotton gets heavy.
If you want that look but plan to swim, layer the crochet top over a plain nylon bikini. I wore a simple black Speedo two-piece under it and got the best of both worlds.
Terry Cloth Is My Secret Weapon
Hang Ten terry shorts (blue with the little feet logo) plus a matching zip hoodie? I could live in that set. It’s plush, it dries you fast, and it gives the right retro surf vibe without trying too hard.
- The good: Warm after a dip. Pockets for keys and a chapstick. Washes well.
- The not-so-good: Terry grabs sand. I shook those shorts like maracas.
I paired the set with a Seafolly one-piece that had rainbow side stripes and a low scoop back. The suit felt athletic, and the cut was clean. No tugging. I swam laps at the pier and ate a mango after. No fuss, just fun.
Shoes, Shades, and That Hat
Small things make it sing. I rotated these:
- Dr. Scholl’s Original wooden sandals: Iconic clack. Cute with terry shorts. Not great on soft sand, though. I kept them for the boardwalk.
- Salt Water Sandals (tan): Beach friendly. Rinse and they’re good as new. No slip drama.
- Ray-Ban Round Metal sunglasses: Pure 70s. Light on the nose. Didn’t bounce while I walked.
- San Diego Hat Company straw sun hat, wide brim: Shade for days. Stayed put with a simple scarf under my chin when the wind kicked up.
Side note: If you’re outfitting a guy for his own retro experiment, this candid report on wearing 70s male attire for a week maps out the surprises.
Also, yes, coconutty sunscreen smells like a memory. I used Coppertone Sport SPF 50 so I wouldn’t fry while fussing with belts and beads.
Fabric Talk, But Make It Simple
- Nylon/lycra suits (Jantzen remake lines, Seafolly, Speedo): Stretchy, quick to dry, swim ready. Good for real movement.
- Cotton crochet (She Made Me): Gorgeous texture; slow to dry. Treat it like a cover top, not a race suit.
- Terry cloth (Hang Ten): Cozy. Great between swims. Just shake, shake, and shake again for sand.
One small note: Any hardware—rings, buckles, zips—heats up in direct sun. I learned that fast with the Jantzen belt.
Sizing and Fit Quirks
Vintage runs small. Like, “I swear I didn’t shrink” small. I measure first: bust, waist, hips. Then I compare to seller notes. For Jantzen and Catalina pieces I tried at my local vintage shop, I went one size up. For Seafolly, true to size worked. For crochet tops, I chose a snug fit so it wouldn’t droop when damp.
What I’d Wear Again Without Thinking
- The Hang Ten terry set with the rainbow-stripe Seafolly one-piece. Easy, sporty, and happy.
- The Jantzen belted bikini for a pool day with loungers, not for waves. You know what? It’s a look. I’ll keep it for photos and music days.
The full crochet set? I’ll keep the top as a cover. It shines with a simple black suit under it.
Tiny Things That Made A Big Difference
- A cotton bandana: Kept hair in place and matched the whole retro mood.
- A wide, striped beach towel: Thicker than my Turkish one; felt true to the era and comfier on pebbles.
- Baby powder: Dust on ankles; sand slips right off. Old trick, still works.
Final Thoughts (With Sand Still In My Bag)
70s beachwear is joyful. It’s color, shape, and a bit of drama. Some pieces are more style than sport, sure. I didn’t mind. I want fun. I want stories. The belted bikini gave me one. The crochet set gave me two. The terry shorts? They gave me comfort. And that, somehow, felt the most “summer.”
If the swimwear nostalgia has you wondering about the wilder lounge-lizard side of the decade, someone actually spent an entire month with Playboy Playmates and wrote the whole roller-coaster down—worth a beach-chair read. For a modern, low-effort way to recreate those flirty beach-bar conversations—minus the sand—you can check out this guide to where to find free adult chat online, which rounds up reputable rooms and quick safety tips so you can dip a toe into digital banter before your next actual beach day.
If you’re cruising down the East Coast and want to trade that online banter for face-to-face sparks in a college-town setting, the campus-friendly listings on Backpage Blacksburg showcase local meet-ups, casual hangouts, and last-minute date ideas—perfect for turning retro vibes into real-time memories before the sun sets on your trip.
If you’re building a small 70s kit, start with:
- One sturdy stripe suit for real swimming
- One playful piece (belt or crochet) for charm
- A terry layer you’ll throw on a hundred times
Music, mangoes, and a wide-brim hat help. So does a friend with a Polaroid.