Classic Hollywood Stars Heat Up Summer in These Vintage Swimsuit Photos

Remind Staff
Jayne Mansfield, ca. 1957
Everett Collection

From the Golden Age of Hollywood through the early ’60s, studio-shot swimsuit photos were a big deal. It was common to see the biggest stars of the time like Rita Hayworth, Jayne Mansfield and Marilyn Monroe striking beachy poses in perfectly styled swimsuits. These weren’t candid vacation snaps — they were carefully crafted studio shots, designed to make the stars look both glamorous and just a little more relatable. The idea was to give fans a peek at their favorite screen sirens “off duty,” while still keeping that movie star magic intact.

These photos were everywhere: in fan magazines, on posters and even in glossy prints that were mailed out to devoted fan clubs. And people loved them. From high-waisted suits with a lot of pin-up charm to sassy bold colors and skimpier shots, these photos are a fun romp through vintage swimwear (and movie scenes) amid Hollywood’s most glamourous.

Courtesy Everett Collection

Marilyn Monroe

Courtesy Everett Collection

Rita Hayworth

Janet Leigh
Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Janet Leigh

Kathryn Grayson, circa 1955
Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Kathryn Grayson

Courtesy Everett Collection

Susan Hart, Shelley Fabares and Barbara Eden in 1964's “Ride the Wild Surf”

Courtesy Everett Collection

Olivia De Havilland

Courtesy Everrett Collection

Betty Grable in 1938's "Campus Confessions"

Jayne Mansfield
Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Jayne Mansfield

Courtesy Everrett Collection

Jane Wyman in 1949’s “A Kiss in the Dark”

Courtesy Everett Collection

Vera-Ellen in 1950’s “Three Little Words”

Courtesy Everett Collection

Gregory Peck and Deborah Kerr in 1959's “Beloved Infidel”

Raquel Welch
Photo by Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Raquel Welch

Courtesy Everrett Collection

Raquel Welch in "One Million Years B.C."

Courtesy of King Features Syndicate

Jane Powell

Courtesy of King Features Syndicate

Annette Funicello in "Muscle Beach Party"

Courtesy Everett Collection

Ava Gardner

Ursula Andress in 1962's,
Courtesy Everett Collection

Ursula Andress in 1962's "Dr. No"

Courtesy Everett Collection

Elizabeth Taylor in 1959’s “Suddenly Last Summer”

Courtesy Everett Collection

Brigitte Bardot in 1955's "Doctor At Sea"

Courtesy Everett Collection

Esther Williams in 1948’s “On An Island With You”

Courtesy Everett Collection

Ann Blyth in 1951’s “Katie Did It”

Courtesy Everett Collection

Raquel Welch in 1967's “Fathom”

Courtesy Everett Collection

Bo Derek in 1979's “10”

Courtesy Everett Collection

Phoebe Cates in 1982's "Fast Times at Ridgemont High"

Courtesy Everrett Collection

Barbara Bach in 1977’s “The Spy Who Loved Me”

Courtesy Everett Collection

Esther Williams in 1944's "Bathing Beauty"

Courtesy Everett Collection

Marie McDonald in 1947’s “Living in a Big Way”

Elizabeth Taylor
Courtesy Everett Collection

Elizabeth Taylor

Swimsuit Parade
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Swimsuit Parade

July 2021

Enjoy a trip to the beach with our swimsuit parade down the decades by your favorite Hollywood stars

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Ann BlythAnnette FunicelloAva GardnerBarbara BachBarbara EdenBetty GrableBo DerekBrigitte BardotElizabeth TaylorEsther WilliamsJane PowellJane WymanJanet LeighJayne MansfieldKathryn GraysonMarie McDonaldMarilyn MonroeOlivia de HavillandPhoebe CatesRaquel WelchRita HayworthShelley FabaresSusan HartUrsula AndressVera-Ellen