Reid, Rose Marie

Canadian-born American swimwear designer, business woman, and Mormon missionary, Rose Marie Reid made her first bathing suit in 1937. Her first business, Reid’s Holiday Togs, was based in Canada. In 1946 Reid moved most of the business to California, and the Canadian branch was eventually phased out.

Rose Marie Reid suits were designed to address the concerns a woman might have about her figure. They were known to be very flattering, producing the hourglass silhouette that was so popular in the 1950s. Their suits were quite structured and included boning and zippers.

In the late 1950s/early 1960s, Emilio Pucci did fabric designs for the Rose Marie Reid label. In 1962 Rose Marie Reid sold her company, partly because she refused to design the skimpy bikini. For decades her name continued to be found on swimsuits that were made through licensing deals.

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from a late 1930s playsuit

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from a 1940s swim suit

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from an early 1950s swimsuit

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from an early 1950s bathing suit

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from a 1950s swimsuit

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from an early 1950s swim suit

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from a mid-1950s bathing suit

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from a 1950s bathing suit

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from an early 1960s swim cover-up

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from a late 1950s swimsuit hangtag

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from a late 1950s swimsuit hangtag

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from a late 1950s swimsuit hangtag

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from a late 1950s swimsuit hangtag

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from an early 1960s swimsuit

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from an early-1960s swimsuit

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from a 1960s swimsuit

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from an early 1960s bikini

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from a late 1960s or early 1970s swimsuit

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from a 1970s swimsuit

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from a 1970s bathing suit

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