Dive into the stylish waves of history as we explore how celebrity swimsuits have transformed from the modest cuts of the 1950s to the daring designs of today.
Sally Field on the TV show “Gidgeti” in 1965 | Source: Getty Images
Like many fashion trends, the swimsuit has evolved over time. However, we are starting our journey back in the 1950s, showcasing how celebrities have influenced swimwear trends through the decades.
1950s
Jane Russell in a bathing suit while shooting “The Revolt Of Mamie Stover” in 1955 | Source: Getty Images
Jane Russell was a talented actress and model who took the world by storm in the 1940s and 1950s. Known as the brunette bombshell and one of the leading ladies of her decade, Russell starred in several films, including “The Outlaw,” “The Tall Man,” and “His Kind of Woman.” As one of the most beloved actresses of her time, it is no surprise that she would influence the evolution of swimwear.
Jane Russell photographed in a bathing suit in 1957 | Source: Getty Images
The actress was photographed in various swimwear. In the 50s the one-piece swimsuits were all about covering the top and bottom areas while accentuating other parts. In one photograph, Russell was seen wearing a black swimsuit that fully supported her bust area and covered her down to just about her hip area, but with a detailed open back.
Jane Russell in a bathing in 1950 | Source: Getty Images
She also had a red bathing suit with straps tying at the back and the same coverage, but the bold color gave it an elevated touch. To switch things up, the actress had a gold two-piece bikini with a high-waisted bottom and a very supportive top.
lizabeth Taylor on the set of “Suddenly Last Summer” in 1959 | Source: Getty Images
Another actress who started off in Hollywood as a child actress and ventured into classic Hollywood films was British star, Elizabeth Taylor, who also stunned in a white swimsuit with a deep low cut and a deep open cut in the back.
1960s
Raquel Welch photographed wearing an orange bikini in1968 | Source: Getty Images
In the 1960s, some celebrities were more experimental than others. Actresses like Raquel Welch were not afraid to opt for a more revealing bathing suit. Welch was photographed in a yellow bikini, with a pointy bodice, and ditched the high-waisted bottom for a low-rise one.
Sally Field on the TV show “Gidgeti” in 1965 | Source: Getty Images
Sally Field on the TV show “Gidgeti” in 1965 | Source: Getty Images
On the contrary, Sally Field preferred more coverage with her swimsuits. She was captured wearing a red piece that almost looked like a mini jumpsuit, along with a white bikini paired with high-waisted bottoms and a matching top, detailed with small ruffles on the edges.
Goldie Hawn photographed in1968 | Source: Getty Images
Jane Birkin photographed in 1969 | Source: Getty Images
Then we have fearless stars like Goldie Hawn who pushed the boundaries. The actress was photographed in a green bikini. It tied in the back, and the bottom also had strings on the side, exposing the majority of her body, which she had covered in different stickers. Jane Birkin also opted for a bikini, with a bralette and an interesting bottom that almost looked like briefs.
1970s
The 1970s was a decade where fashion was all about making a statement. The hair was bigger, the pants were flared, and the patterns did all the talking. For instance, Farrah Fawcett who was loved for her layered and voluminous hair, went for a red swimsuit.
She was also captured in a white one, with a plunging neckline and cutouts on the side. We also had people like former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, who chose a bathing suit with more coverage but kept in interesting with an eye-catching pattern.
Jackie Kennedy in Italy in 1962 | Source: Getty Images
Bo Derek in the movie “10” in 1979 | Source: Getty Images
Actress and model Bo Derek was seen in a differently cut swimsuit. Instead of it going down to the hip area, hers introduced a high-rise cut that accentuated the waist. It also exposed her back and featured a deep V-neck cut that showed her chest.
1980s
Phoebe Cates in the film “Fast Times at Ridgemont High,” in 1982 | Source: Youtube.com/ Rotten Tomatoes Classic Trailers
As the years went by, swimsuits took on different shapes; they became less about hiding parts of the body and more about sculpting the body with different cutouts that highlighted particular areas. But in the 1980s, as well as in other years before, red bathing suits were the go-to color, probably because of how daring it is and how it can complement multiple skin tones.
Goldie Hawn in “Overboard” in1987 | Source: Youtube.com/Rotten Tomatoes Classic Trailers
Phoebe Cates, an actress known for her role in “Fast Times at Ridgemont High,” stunned in one of the scenes wearing a red bikini. The top was a slight push-up bra, and the bottoms were also slightly high-waisted, which added shape to her frame.
Goldie Hawn in “Overboard” in 1987 | Source: Youtube.com/Rotten Tomatoes Classic Trailers
Goldie Hawn in “Overboard” also opted for a bright red swimsuit, with a low-cut neck. She covered the bottom part with a white and red scarf, tied in a way that cinched in her waist and allowed her legs to peek.
1990s
Pamela Anderson on “Baywatch” in California in 1992 | Source: Getty Images
Pamela Anderson was the queen of revolutionizing the high-cut swimsuit in her appearance on “Baywatch.” She rocked the bathing suit in every color, including pink, black, and the famous red one.
Nicole Eggert and Pamela Anderson in “Baywatch” in 1992 | Source: Getty Images
The high-cut waist highlighted her waist, and the low plunging back accentuated her breast area. Angelina Jolie was another actress who had the same bikini cut for her bottoms. She was photographed in a pink piece that gave her body an hourglass shape.
Angelina Jolie photographed in 1991 | Source: Getty Images
“Saved by the Bell” cast in Hawaii in 1992 | Source: Getty Images
The ’90s also gave us shows like “Saved by the Bell,” which was rich in swimwear attire. The actors rocked bikinis with different colorful and bright patterns to match the tropical Hawaiian feel.
Claudia Schiffer walking the Chanel Spring show 1995 | Source: Getty iMAGES
Salma Hayek in the film “From Dusk Till Dawn.” | Source: Youtube.com/Movieclips
Supermodel Claudia Schiffer also walked down the runway in a red bikini with gems all over it and thin straps for the top and bottom. Actress Salma Hayek wore a similar style in the film “From Dusk Till Dawn.”
2000s
Kim Kardashian in Miami in 2008 | Source: Getty Images
The 2000s seemed to be more about adding bling to swimwear. Actress Elizabeth Hurley stunned in a red piece covered in matching gems. Reality TV star, Kim Kardashian also rocked what looked like a simple black bikini, but it was outlined with metal details.
Jessica Simpson walking at the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week: Miami Swim in Miami in 2007 | Source: Getty Images
Jessica Simpson went for a softer look when she walked down the runway in a fun yellow bikini. The top added an even more tropical feel to it with white ruffles.
2010s
Gigi Hadid backstage at Tommy Hilfiger show at New York Fashion Week in 2016 | Source: Getty Images
In the 2010s, the full swimsuit started to make its way back into fashion but with a twist. Gigi Hadid walked the Tommy Hilfiger runway wearing one that connected the top and bottom with multi-colored, crisscrossed strings.
2020s
In 2020, swimwear started playing around with different styles, for instance, Kendall Jenner was photographed in a red bikini, but her top was an interesting one-shoulder bra.
Another prominent feature was one that we saw in previous years, which is the tie detail. Supermodel Emily Ratajkowski shared a photo wearing a bright blue bikini with ties on the side.
Jennifer Lopez was also photographed in a black and white bikini with the same tie detail on the side of the bottoms. As we reflect on the transformative journey of celebrity swimsuits, it is clear that each decade inspired the next to make swimwear that accentuated and celebrated women’s bodies
