13 most iconic swimwear of all time

The modern swimsuit has a fascinating heritage. In the past, women wore bathing suits that covered almost every inch of their bodies, but over the years, swimsuits evolved into the bikinis we wear today.

But much modern swimwear is inspired by styles from the 1950s.

Here are 13 of the most iconic swimsuits that have had a huge impact on swimwear history.

13 PHOTOS

1. The first bikini was created in 1946.

2. In 1948, Elizabeth Taylor posed for a portrait in a one-piece swimsuit.

3. Actress Brigitte Bardot in a bikini in the 1952 film Girl in a Bikini.

4. The leotard worn by Marilyn Monroe in the 1950s and 1960s has become a classic.

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

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

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

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

9. Pamela Anderson made an impression when she appeared in a red one-piece swimsuit in Baywatch in 1995.

10. Rachel McAdams' bikini in The Notebook in 2004 was iconic.

11. Beyoncé wore a colorful bikini on the cover of Sports Illustrated's swimsuit in 2007.

12. In 2007, Tyra Banks, then curvaceous, appeared in this swimsuit.

13. In 2016, Ashley Graham made history by becoming the first plus-size model to grace the cover of Sports Illustrated's.