16 of the most iconic swimsuits of all time

Susanna Heller,Amanda KrauseJul 1, 2020, 23:21 IST

Pamela Anderson's high-cut swimsuit in "Baywatch" certainly left a mark on pop culture.Online USA/Getty Images

Popular styles of swimsuits have changed drastically throughout history.
High-waisted bottoms and one-piece suits were popular in the '40s, '50s, and '60s.
Those same styles are seeing a resurgence today, though bikinis now reign supreme.

The modern bathing suit has a fascinating legacy. In the past, women typically wore swimming costumes that covered nearly every inch of their skin, but over the years swimsuits have trimmed down to the popular bikinis worn today.

Many current swimsuit trends like high-waisted bottoms, G-strings, and one-piece suits aren't as original as you may think; they're actually inspired by past styles that have been around since the 1950s.

We've compiled a list of 16 influential swimsuits that have made a lasting impact, from the first-ever bikini designed in 1946 to Halima Aden's history-making burkini on the cover of Sports Illustrated's swimsuit issue in 2019.

The first-ever bikini was designed in 1946.

The bikini as we know it first appeared over 70 years ago. Keystone/Getty Images

In 1948, Elizabeth Taylor posed for a portrait in a halter-top bathing suit.

Just two years after the bikini premiered, Taylor made a fashion statement in this one-piece bathing suit. Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Actress Brigitte Bardot embraced the bikini in the 1952 film, "The Girl in the Bikini."

In the movie, Bardot strips down to a delicate white bikini and jumps into the water — a scandalous act at the time. Sport-Films

Anything Marilyn Monroe wore in the 1950s and 1960s became an instant classic.

The actress was known for pushing boundaries and flaunting her curves. L. J. Willinger/Getty

In 1962, Ursula Andress wore this stunning bikini in "Dr. No," the first James Bond film.

Andress emerged from the water on this beach looking ready for battle. Eon Productions

In 1965, actress Sally Field posed in a high-waisted bikini.

This suit is a lot more modest than the one Andress wore just three years prior. ABC/Getty Images

Farrah Fawcett became an icon after starring in "Charlie's Angels" in 1976.

This pin-up poster poster is still a dorm-room favorite. Kris Connor/Getty Images

Carrie Fisher wore a stunning bikini in the 1983 film "Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi."

Princess Leia's bikini has become a classic Comic-Con or Halloween costume. Lucasfilm/Disney

Pamela Anderson made an impression while wearing a red one-piece suit in "Baywatch" in 1995.

The high-cut red bathing suit calls to mind images of impossibly fit lifeguards running across the beach in slow motion. Online USA/Getty Images

Rachel McAdams' bikini in "The Notebook" in 2004 was an iconic look.

Her bathing suit in the memorable "If you're a bird, I'm a bird" scene set a standard for retro-inspired swimsuits. New Line via Movie Clips

Beyoncé appeared in a colorful triangle bikini on the cover of Sports Illustrated's swimsuit issue in 2007.

No matter what she wears, Beyoncé always looks flawless. John Sciulli/Getty Images

Tyra Banks shut down body-shamers in the most epic way in 2007 — while wearing a bathing suit.

Banks was the first African-American model to appear on the cover of Sports Illustrated's swimsuit issue in 1996. The Emmy Awards/YouTube

In 2016, Ashley Graham made history as the first curvy model to grace the cover of Sports Illustrated's swimsuit issue.

Graham's popularity soared after she appeared on the Sports Illustrated cover. Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images

The burkini was created in 2004, but faced controversy in 2016.

The woman on the right wears a burkini in the ocean. Luisa Puccini/Shutterstock

In 2019, fashion retailer ASOS made strides in its swimsuit advertising.

ASOS appears to use unedited photos on its website. ASOS

That year also saw the merge of swimsuits and the logo-mania trend.

A model walks the runway wearing a Chanel swimsuit in 1993. Daniel SIMON/Getty Images

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