Jean Patchett in a skinny chemise Claire called the "Stringbean", it could be worn with cummerbund or hang plumb straight, photo by Louise Dahl-Wolfe, Harper's Bazaar, 1953

Model in McCardell's trtiangular poncho with perfectly mitred stripes worn over brief shorts, photo by Louise Dahl-Wolfe, Canary Islands, Harper's Bazaar, 1956

Natalie Paine in McCardell's shorts and roomy top held snug with a belt, photo by Louise Dahl-Wolfe, Hammamet, Tunisia, Harper's Bazaar, 1950

Model in crisp white bolero, cut to show bare shoulders and a bare midriff above a swinging skirt by McCardell, photo by Louise Dahl-Wolfe, Harper's Bazaar, 1948

Model in sheer dotted swiss, untypically rose-patterened, tied criss-cross with spaghetti strings by McCardell, photo by Louise Dahl-Wolfe, Harper's Bazaar, 1950

Model in McCardell's poolside halter and skirt in checked cotton, photo by John Rawlings, Vogue, 1949

Model in McCardell's wool jersey bicycle outfit, photo by Louise Dahl-Wolfe, Harper's Bazaar, 1949

Model in McCardell's tennis outfit featuring snug waist and deep-cut armholes for a free swing, photo by Louise Dahl-Wolfe, Harper's Bazaar, 1947

Model in pleated evening sheath by Claire McCardell, photo by Maria Martel, 1950

Model in McCardell's full circle skirt and knit top, photo by Louise Dahl-Wolfe, Sarasota, Florida, Harper's Bazaar, 1947

Model in McCardell's bare midriff outfit from her resort collection, photo by Louise Dahl-Wolfe, Harper's Bazaar, 1944

Model in McCardell's ribbed knit bathing suit, like a dancer's leotard, photo by Louise Dahl-Wolfe, Harper's Bazaar, 1953

Evelyn Tripp in McCardell's colorful beachcover and shorts, photo by Louise Dahl-Wolfe, Harper's Bazaar, 1955

Model in linen sheath by Claire McCardell, photo by Louise Dahl-Wolfe, Harper's Bazaar, 1958

Model in McCardell's milestone bathing suit of pale grey jersey, the halter top is wrapped around the neck and anchored to diaper trunks below a completely bare back, photo by Louise Dahl-Wolfe, 1945

A young Lauren Bacall wears McCardell's lightweight jumpsuit for an evening at home, photo by Louise Dahl-Wolfe, Harper's Bazaar, 1943

Model in McCardell's wintertime bicycling outfit of streamlined hooded sweater and trim knickers, photo by Kay Bell, Vogue, c.1945

Model in McCardell's easy skirted brown tweed suit with dropped shoulders and top stitching, photo by Louise Dahl-Wolfe, Harper's Bazaar, 1944

Model in McCardell's slender high-waisted coat worn with her favorite fur chignon cap and muff, photo by Louise Dahl-Wolfe, Harper's Bazaar, 1946

Dorian Leigh in McCardell's cotton print summer dress worn with leather strapped sandals, photo by Louise Dahl-Wolfe, Harper's Bazaar, 1945