These Old Pictures of Marilyn Monroe in Swimsuits Are Amazing

It’s not her birthday or any sort of Marilyn Monroe anniversary that we know about, but we don’t need such things to celebrate her influence on the fashion world. The actress continues to be a source of inspiration for style and body positivity over 50 years after her passing, and for good reason. After all, so many images of her have become completely iconic (the Seven Year Itch dress moment being one of our all-time favorites).

Because it’s summer, we dug through the Monroe archives (a fun task, indeed) and curated a stylish assortment of the icon in her best swim looks—and trust us, they weren’t in short supply. Scroll down to see the photographs, and also be sure to check out these never-before-seen images of the actress, plus this story that shows how much her old shopping receipts are selling for (it’s shocking!).

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(Image credit: Rex)

Ruffled shorts—we need them.

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(Image credit: Getty Images)

Beach days are the best days.

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(Image credit: Getty Images)

She wore an (not so) itsy-bitsy teeny-weeny polka-dot bikini.

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(Image credit: Getty Images)

Because everyone should walk their dog in a swimsuit at least once.

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(Image credit: Getty Images)

Monroe was effortlessly glamorous.

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(Image credit: Getty Images)

We want to re-create this photo for Instagram.

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(Image credit: Getty Images)

Don't forget the sunscreen!

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(Image credit: Getty Images)

We're not sure what's going on here, but we're not opposed.

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(Image credit: Rex )

One-piece swimsuits have always been in style.

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Marysia Swim Palm Springs Sporty Bikini Top ($145) and High Waisted Bottoms ($145)

The higher waist makes this set a flattering choice.

Nicole Kliest
Freelance Contributor

Nicole Kliest is a freelance writer and editor based in New York City who focuses on fashion, travel, food, wine, and pretty much anything else that's amusing to write about. After graduating from Pepperdine University with a bachelor's in journalism and creative writing, she started her career back in 2010 as Who What Wear's photo editor and throughout the last decade has contributed to publications including Fashionista, Harper's Bazaar, Elle, The Zoe Report, PopSugar, Fodor's Travel, and several others. She also copywrites and has worked with clients such as Frame, Sea, 3x1, Intelligentsia, and others to develop brand voices through storytelling and creative marketing. She's very passionate about the ways we can improve our sustainability efforts in the fashion industry as well as cultivating content that's diverse and inclusive of all people. When she's not checking out the latest restaurant opening in her West Village neighborhood or riding her bicycle along the West Side Highway, she can be found scheming her next trip somewhere around the world. (Up next is Vienna.)