The Most Iconic Swimsuit Moments in Pop Culture History

June 2024 · 3 minute read

PAMELA ANDERSON AND KELLY ROHRBACH IN BAYWATCH

Everett; Pacific Coast News

Pamela Anderson slipped into the perilously high-cut red lifeguard tank from 1992-1997, officially making one-pieces hot again. In 2016, model Kelly Rohrbach is filling her shoes (or suit, rather) in the upcoming Baywatch film, costarring Zac Efron and The Rock.

URSULA ANDRESS IN DR. NO

Ursula Andress in Dr. No. Everett

The 1962 scene of Andress emerging from the water in a white buckled bikini remains one of the most iconic James Bond scenes of all time – for obvious reasons.

HALLE BERRY IN DIE ANOTHER DAY

Everett

Berry famously wore an orange buckled bikini (in homage to Andress) for the 2002 Bond film.

DANIEL CRAIG IN CASINO ROYALE

Splash News Online

Not all of Bond’s biggest bathing moments belong to women. Craig’s tiny swim trunks made his first foray as Bond (in 2006) incredibly memorable.

CAMERON DIAZ AND DEMI MOORE IN CHARLIE'S ANGELS: FULL THROTTLE

Darren Michaels

We’re pretty sure “full throttle” refers to how we attacked our ab workouts after watching this scene in the 2003 film.

FARRAH FAWCETT

Everett

This simple red Speedo swimsuit (from a 1976 pinup) isn’t just iconic, it’s historic: It was donated to the Smithsonian in 2011.

ASHLEY GRAHAM ON THE 2016 SPORTS ILLUSTRATED SWIMSUIT ISSUE

James Macari/Sports Illustrated

The size-16 model’s sexy cover ushered in a new era of body representation in the magazine’s special issue devoted to finding new and creative ways to barely cover the female form.

KATE BOSWORTH IN BLUE CRUSH

Bosworth made mix-and-match bikinis ­— and rock-hard abs — all the rage in 2002, thanks to her breakout role as surfer Anne Marie Chadwick.

RACHEL MCADAMS IN THE NOTEBOOK

Everett

When you look at this photo from the 2004 Nicholas Sparks sob-fest, you should think two things: 1) “If you’re a bird, I’m a bird.” And 2) How cuuute is that swimsuit?!

PHOEBE CATES IN FAST TIMES AT RIDGEMONT HIGH

Everett

Sure, Cates is more well known for taking off her bikini top in the 1982 teen flick, but the girls in the audience knew her cute red two-piece was an equally memorable moment.

MARILYN MONROE

Getty

The star had more than a few good swimsuit moments, but we’re partial to this high-waisted polka-dot bikini, circa 1951. (Somewhere, Taylor Swift just got inspired.)

ANGELINA JOLIE IN TOMB RAIDER

Everett

Jolie’s sporty black bikini in the 2001 film proves that you don’t have to be wearing much to look like a total badass.

BO DEREK IN 10

Warner Bros./Getty

The 1979 film’s title refers to Derek being a perfect 10. Can’t imagine why…

BRIGITTE BARDOT IN THE GIRL IN THE BIKINI

Atlantis Films/Pictorial Parade/Getty

The 1952 French film marked one of the first times a bikini was worn in a movie (made even more controversial because Bardot was only 17 at the time).

BROOKLYN DECKER IN JUST GO WITH IT

Everett

Apparently this was a 2011 movie starring Adam Sandler, but to be honest all we remember is Decker’s super-sexy yellow bikini.

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