Bathing Suit Caps and Beach Fashion in California

The 1950s beachwear ideas come from native classics like T-shirts and everyday materials like toweling, as in the practical but startling salmon pink toga. They are influenced by foreign styles, as in the Riviera “pirate pants” and the big straw hats from the Virgin islands and Hawaii. The hat shapes add drama to plain black bathing suits and show signs of reviving big sunshade straws this summer on U.S beaches everywhere.

Seeing summer is around the corner, why not catch up with the latest trends and styles in beach fashion for women. Here are some fantastic photographs taken by LIFE photographer Loomis Dean in California circa 1950s.