Best Swimsuit Moments in History

Ursula Andress

In 1962's Dr. No, Andress emerged from the ocean in a white buckled bikini and instantly created one of the most iconic James Bond scenes of all time.

1 / 17

Marilyn Monroe

Image Source: Getty / Sunset Boulevard

Marilyn had more than her fair share of swimsuit moments, but this shot of the fresh-faced starlet in a frilly striped bikini and cork sandals is the stuff retro dreams are made of.

2 / 17

Pamela Anderson

Image Source: Getty / Kypros

As Baywatch's C.J. Parker, the blonde bombshell of the '90s redefined swim style — and lifeguard expectations — for a generation.

3 / 17

Princess Diana

Image Source: Getty / Michel Dufour

Diana was known for bucking convention. The princess first made headlines in 1982 when she was spotted in a bikini (gasp!) while pregnant with Prince William. In 1997, she still had the paps snapping away as she rocked a leopard print maillot in St. Tropez.

4 / 17

Paris Hilton

Image Source: Getty / J. Vespa

The unofficial queen of the early 2000s, Hilton made headlines when she wore a scandalous monokini to hawk the "Spicy BBQ Six Dollar Burger" in a Carl's Jr. commercial. Apparently, heiresses dig fast food, too.

5 / 17

Carrie Fisher

Image Source: Getty / Sunset Boulevard

The metal bikini! The long braid! As Princess Leia in Star Wars: Episode VI- Return of the Jedi, Carrie was the prisoner that launched a thousand crushes (including Ross's on Friends).

6 / 17

Bo Derek

Image Source: Getty / Bettmann

In 1979, Derek made waves as cornrow-clad Samantha Taylor in the movie 10.

7 / 17

Kim Kardashian

Image Source: Getty / John Parra

In 2008, before she was a fashion icon, beauty mogul, and mother of three, she was just Kim, Paris Hilton's "stylist" friend. And she rocked sarongs over her bikinis, just like you and me.

8 / 17

Gigi Hadid

Image Source: Getty / TREVOR COLLENS

Gigi and co. splashed through the finale of Tommy Hilfiger's Spring 2016 show at New York Fashion Week. The supermodel endured negative comments about her body via social media (really?) and took to Instagram to set the record straight about her work ethic and her body pride. Yes, girl.

9 / 17

Jackie Kennedy

Image Source: Getty / Bettmann

As first lady, Jacqueline Kennedy set style trends for decades to come. In 1962, she proved her fashion sense extended to the beach as well while on vacation in Italy.

10 / 17

Elizabeth Taylor

Image Source: Getty / Sunset Boulevard

You'd be hard pressed to find a shot of Elizabeth Taylor where she doesn't look iconic, but her classic white swimsuit look in 1959's Suddenly Last Summer is as fashion muse-worthy as it gets.

11 / 17

Ashley Graham

Image Source: Getty / Jamie McCarthy

The model and body diversity game-changer made history as the first-ever size 16 cover model for the 2016 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. Clearly, she made an impact: Graham has appeared in every subsequent issue since.

12 / 17

Raquel Welch

Image Source: Getty / John Springer Collection

Welch made one sexy cavewoman as tribeswoman Leana in the 1966 film One Million Years B.C.. Her tattered two piece look is arguably more famous than the movie itself.

13 / 17

Annette Funicello

Image Source: Getty / Bettmann

In the 1960s, teenage beach party movies were all the rage, and most famously featured Annette Funicello and Frankie Avalon as the fun-loving protagonists. We'd argue that Annette's hair and her swim wardrobe, including this netted number, were the real stars.

14 / 17

Hillary Clinton

Image Source: Getty / PAUL J. RICHARDS

It's rare that we get to spot our first ladies in swimwear, but in 1998, photogs caught a sweet shot of Bill Clinton and Hillary sharing a beach dance in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Hillary's scoop-back one piece was the height of '90s mom style — that being said, we can picture any number of It girls rocking this look today.

15 / 17

Sally Field

Image Source: Getty / Bettmann

We told you teenage beach culture was big in the '60s. Playing boy-crazy teen Gidget in the eponymous television series, Field slipped into more than a few cute suits. That includes this high-waisted knit number that rivals anything Taylor Swift has worn.

16 / 17

Image Source: Getty

17 / 17