100 Years of Swimsuits in Photos

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1956-1957

Jane Russell was one of America's first major sex symbols. The actress proved that a covered up one-piece could pack a curvy punch in the more Puritanical mid-50s.

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1958

The bikini began to emerge in the late 50s, seen here in the South of France. It was originally invented by Louis Réard in 1946, but wasn't widely embraced until much later.

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1959

Elizabeth Taylor stole the show in the film Suddenly, Last Summer with this somewhat baggy white maillot. The relaxed look was a step away from the perfectly coiffed '50s into the looser 1960s.

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1960

This gorgeous Slim Aarons photo illustrates the low-slung bikini bottom style of the early 1960s, paired with a strapless top. Consider it a bikini with structure.

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1961

A more tailored suit continued to reign as the 1960s went on. A smart woven hat made for the perfect accessory.

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1962-1963

Raquel Welch has one of the most famous figures ever in cinema. This halter style two-piece and Barbarella-esque hair showcases the over-the-top mood of the moment.

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1965-1966

Sally Field as Gidget was the ultimate surf girl. The sweet pink hue of her suit and pigtails in her hair illustrate the good girl vibe of the mid '60s.

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1967-1968

Bathing suits were merging with fashion in the late '60s, exemplified in this photo of model Pauline Stone wearing a petal-embroidered strapless bikini layered under a sheer wide-lapel tunic.

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1969

Jane Birkin wore a barely there bikini with a delicate gold necklace, signifying the end of the big-haired '60s and a move into the more natural, bohemian 1970s.

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1970-1971

This little gingham two-piece doesn't have the structure of earlier bikinis. It's meant to move with the body and showcased an ease that women were beginning to have in the early '70s.

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1972-1973

The original Foxy Brown Pam Grier wore major sunnies and a crocheted bikini top. The look in swim mirrored the look in fashion, which was all about natural fabrics and a less-is-more approach.

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1974-1975

Jackie O was never one for anything too bohemian. This photo of her on a boat in a white headscarf and tied black bikini showcases a more streamlined mid-70s vibe.

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1976

Two words described the hottest trend of 1976: Plunging one-pieces. From Farrah Fawcett to Jacqueline Bisset (shown here), nothing was more popular than a deep neckline and body-hugging silhouette.

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1977-1978

Princess Caroline of Monaco is seen here in a white maillot with tie details on the sides. This peek-a-boo style set the tone for the time with its striking elegance and ease.

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1979

Bo Derek made waves in the film 10 for her flesh-colored swimsuit that left little to the imagination. The late '70s were still about a naturalism in style—and a good tan.

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1980-1981

The early 1980s were not yet about over-the-top glamour. Margaux Hemingway wore a simple black one-piece here with slicked-back hair that is timeless.

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1982

Phoebe Cates influenced a generation of young women in this standout red bikini. No one ever thought about exiting a pool the same way ever again.

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1983-1984

The teeny bikini look continued on into the 1980s, when simple designs were still in style. "The smaller the better" remained the edict of the time.

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1985-1986

In current vernacular, the look in swim in 1986 was "extra." Cut super high on the leg, with an open back and low top was the norm. You might throw on a headband to finish the idea.

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1987

Goldie Hawn in Overboard was the pivotal look in 1987—in other words look as rich and over-the-top as possible, especially in a swimsuit. Wall Street was on the rise and so was wearing as much gold at once as possible.

Jennifer Algoo is the Visuals Director at Harper's BAZAAR.  She is a graduate of the School of Visual Arts and has previously worked at Patrick McMullan Co. as well as completing internships at Martha Stewart Weddings, Vogue and CosmoGirl! Magazine.   Jennifer covers royal, celeb and art content as well as overseeing all visual assets on BAZAAR.com.  When she's not obsessing over the royals you can find her attempting to solve cold cases as an armchair detective, traveling and experimenting with new recipes.  

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