Happy Birthday, Ingrid Seynhaeve

39 today.

Kate Upon: America’s New Girlfriend

Somewhat uncharacteristically, Kate dons a bunch of one-piecers for the July Spanish Vogue.

They’re beautiful photos, a lot more subdued and pensive than the more sunshine-and-bubblegum image she presents in SI.

Saint Genevieve, Saint Genevieve…

Genevieve Morton has been named “Sexiest Woman in the World” by FHM South Africa.

She looks almost unrecognizable in the photos, though…

 This is more like it:

Congratulations, Genevieve.

The Pitter Patter of Little Millers

Marisa Miller, it turns out, is pregnant.

Congrats to her!

All Right, Kate, You Win

Kate Lent is long over, and she’s coming to a GQ cover near you.

Someone even put up a page of gifs from the photoshoot video.

Feast your eyes!

Happy Birthday, Crystal Renn

In the wake of the recent discussion of models and eating disorders, we come upon rookie Crystal Renn’s 26th birthday.

She was considered a plus-sized model at one point, and her struggle with her weight and body image is covered in her memoir, Hungry.

Rob “Redneck” Yolk

…is an anagram of “Brooklyn Decker.”

“This is me as a man... You know you can't resist it.” --Brooklyn Decker, on Twitter

No idea why Brooklyn is doing this. But after Jessica Perez’s similar experiment over Halloween, I hope this isn’t a trend.

To cleanse the palate, here’s one of the girliest pics of Brooklyn I could find.

One-Piece Wednesday: Bridget Hall, 2002

Swimsuit Approval Ratings: The High-Fashion Bikini

The High-Fashion Bikini (17% approval rating)

‘Like many new fashion trends, women inevitably find them far more interesting than their male counterparts. Funky suits — like those with studs, grommets and beaded detailing or others with unorthodox accessories — were the least favored swimwear of all the styles.

Only 17 percent liked them, while 83 percent were mystified that the garments could even hold up in water.’

I thought a good illustration of weird “high-fashion” bikinis would be some selections from 2002. They created swimsuits out of materials inspired by that year’s Latin American theme. I’ve covered Molly Sims’ chili peppers and Veronica Varekova’s bottle caps in previous posts, so enjoy some cigar bands, cactus, coffee, and silver & jade.

Ana Beatriz Barros, 2002, cigar bands

Petra Nemcova, 2002, cactus

Shakara Ledard, 2002, coffee beans

Yamila Diaz, 2002, silver and jade

Swimsuit Approval Ratings: The Bandeau Top

The Bandeau Top (89% approval rating) ‘Another option men and women can agree on is the strapless two-piece suit that harkens back to Roman times — when women's breasts were wrapped in garments during sporting events and at baths. Maybe it's the historical significance of the fashion statement that got 89 percent of men to approve and only 11 percent to not like it.’

Elle Macpherson, 1980s

Stephanie Seymour, 1991

Kate Upton, 2011

Ariel Meredith, 2012

By the way, happy birthday to Kate Upton, and welcome back after a long Kate Lent. Posting has been a little skimpy over the past 6 weeks, as it happens.

Swimsuit Approval Ratings: The Retro Pin-Up

The Retro Pin-Up (21% approval rating) ‘Vintage-inspired bathing suits have been quite the comeback in recent summers. One-piece bombshell suits and high-waisted two-pieces allow women to show off their curves while still remaining more than a bit demure. Of course, demure is not a look most men have come to expect poolside, so only 21 percent gravitate to this '50s-era style. The rest, 79 percent of guys, want to see more skin.’ 

Laetitia Casta, 2000

Heidi Klum, 2006

Jessica White, 2008

Kim Cloutier, 2009

Swimsuit Approval Ratings: The Tankini

The Tankini (53% approval rating) ‘Introduced in the late '90s, the tankini grew in popularity because of its combination of the modesty of a one-piece with the convenience and style of a two-piece. The look got mixed reviews from the guys surveyed. 53 percent liked the look, while 47 percent didn't. A few even compared the concept as being synonymous to men wearing T-shirts in the pool.’

Ashley Richardson, 1990

Judit Masco, 1990

Stacey Williams, 1996

Julie Henderson, 2007

Swimsuit Approval Ratings: The One-Shoulder Suit

The One-Shoulder Suit (67% approval rating)‘This Tarzan-esque suit, in either a one-piece or a two-piece, left men torn: Roughly 67 percent liked it, while 33 preferred to see something with either both straps or none at all.

But, don't be too discouraged by the mixed review, ladies. A lot of men who didn't appreciate this suit said that it was because it would likely lead to problematic — and as one guy put it, "really weird" — tan lines.’

Chandra North, 1998

Eva Herzigova, 1999

Bridget Hall, 2003

Alyssa Miller, 2012

Swimsuit Approval Ratings: The One-Piece (Wednesday) Swimsuit

The One-Piece Swimsuit (65% approval rating) ‘Few women sport one-pieces despite the traditional swimwear's resurgence on the runway — and despite the fact that the majority of men like them. In fact, 65 percent prefer the look, as opposed to only 35 percent who don't. The only rule? Some men said they like the style as long as it's still sexy and doesn't look like the woman is trying out for the Olympic swim team.’

Paulina Porizkova, 1989

Lujan Fernandez, 2001

Veronica Varekova, 2002

Carolyn Murphy, 2004

Swimsuit Approval Ratings: The Monokini

The Monokini (22% approval rating) ‘Women wanting to make a statement on the beach may opt for the monokini — a one-piece suit in which the sides are completely cut out, giving the appearance of a bikini, with the top and bottom sections connected by a thin strip of material. 

Guys, however, prefer to opt out. Only 22 percent liked the look. The most common response of the 78 percent who hated it? "I don't get it."’

Rebecca Romijn, 1999

Daniela Pestova, 2004

Anne V, 2006 

Jeisa Chiminazzo, 2008

Swimsuit Approval Ratings: The Standard Two-Piece

The Standard Two-Piece (93% approval rating)‘Guys’ most favored suit was the basic two-piece bikini. A bit more material — while still showcasing some serious skin — meant a whopping 93 percent approval rating among men (and several said the look most closely resembled women in bras and panties...). Only 7 percent didn't like the cut.’

Angie Everhart, 1995
Michelle Behennah, 2001

Vanessa Lorenzo, 2002

Melissa Keller, 2003

Swimsuit Approval Ratings: The String Bikini

I came across an article called "What Men Think of Your Bathing Suit." Apparently, Marie Claire asked 100 men to rate different styles of swimsuit. Just for fun, I thought I’d spend the next nine days counting down the nine styles, as featured on the bodies of SI models.

The String Bikini (74% approval rating) ‘One of the most popular swimwear styles on the market happens to be the one with the least amount of fabric. But what do men really think of the skimpy suit? Seventy-four percent were fans of the triangles-and-string ensemble, while 26 percent thought it looked too revealing and left little to the imagination.’

Valeria Mazza, 1997

Noemie Lenoir, 2000

May Andersen, 2003

Jarah Mariano, 2008