• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

HealthyHappyLife.com logo

  • about
  • RECIPES
  • LIFESTYLE
  • BLOGGING
  • VIDEO
  • SHOP
  • Cookbooks
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • Lifestyle
  • My Books
  • Videos
  • About
  • holiday
    • Bloglovin
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » This and That » Sports Illustrated Cover Models: Then and Now, Top Ten Observations

    by Kathy Patalsky · updated: Jul 13, 2020 · published: Feb 10, 2009 · About 4 minutes to read this article. 4 Comments

    Sports Illustrated Cover Models: Then and Now, Top Ten Observations

    The New York Post has posted a photo gallery looking at the past 46 years of Sports Illustrated cover models. The 2009 cover model is none other than Leonardo DiCaprio’s girlfriend Bar Refaeli.

    It is shocking to see the evolution of what SI chooses as the “it” shot of the year.


    Healthy body image chat mixed with a bit of entertaining fun coming at you in this historically-educational post. Here’s a look back at a few headlines and images that have forever impacted the way the world sees a swimsuit,  and maybe even how a woman sees herself in a swimsuit.
    Observations abound: Did you know that SI swimsuit issues used to actually have themes that revolved around travel, leisure and fitness?  And did you know that the cover models used to look really normal, un-airbrushed and otherwise…sweet and innocent?! Another Craig Ferguson, “I knoow!” moment for me.

    …More observations, photos and headlines in my TOP TEN LIST ahead, and find out just what “Zowie it’s Maui” means……

    Sports Illustrated Cover Models: Then and Now, Top Ten Observations

    10. SI Used to Actually be About Travel!
    With headlines like “Flights of Fancy in Florida” and “Twice as Nice in Baja”. The SI issue used to theme a travel destination, rather than a model, per say. The 2009 headline? “Bikini’s or Nothing”. Go figure, more on that later.

    9. The Creative, Female and Ph.D Employees Have Been Fired
    Is it just me or has SI been majorly dumbed down? The issue in 1964 had the title. “A Skin Divers Guide to the Caribbean.” I seriously doubt that SI loyals today even know what skin diving is! I kid. Sort’ve.
    Another “dumb editors moment” ? The headline this year is “Bikini’s or Nothing.” and there is also a mention of body painting. The headline in 2008? “Barely Bikini’s” also with a mention of body painting.
    Wow, are SI readers really that uninterested in the text rather than the photos to not realize that the editors of SI have gotten seriously uncreative with their headline ideas???

    8. What’s Airbrushing?
    It is fascinating to see women who are not airbrushed or photo shopped grace the cover of magazines in bikinis. Little lines here, a soft flesh of fat there. It looks so normal and beautiful, yet looks so odd. How distorted are all the young girls in society today who think that un-airbrushed/photo shopped woman looks odd?
    Just look at these un-retouched beauties and try and reset your distorted 2009 mindset people:

    7. Favorite Headline #1: “Zowie it’s Maui!”
    So much cheese in the editorial text back in 1977. I love it.

    6. Favorite Headline #2: “Flights of Fancy in Florida.”
    Can you say alliteration much? This headline is so sweetly silly; it’s such a super sounding sensational statement for the Sports subscribers to see.

    5. The Swimsuits of the 80’S
    Ah, the 80’s. Love those white doily, lace-topped and spiky purple swimsuits….


    4. Those Wacky Poses
    Sometimes a pose just looks awkward. Like the 1977 “Maui” photo where the model is sitting in a beach chair-though she looks very uncomfortable and not really even sitting correctly. And the 25th anniversary issue where Kathy Ireland is awkwardly sitting on a rock grabbing her shins in a weird sitting yoga pose. Was she cold or just checking for a poor shaving job? Then there is the one with the headline “Don’t Just Sit There.” and the girl sitting in the waves. Because ya know, I sit like that all the time when I am at the beach.



    3. More Wacky and Innocent Headlines
    “Splish Splash”, “Beauty and the Beach” and “She Reigns in Spain” are three more great SI headlines. Ah, so sweet and innocent…but that wouldn’t last…nope.

    2. Innocence Lost: Headlines Go Trashy
    “Nothing But Bikini’s” was the first innocence-lost headline when Tyra graced the cover in 1997, and the cute cheesy headlines were forever lost…More seedy titles include: “Crossing the Line: Heidi Klum Straddles the Equator,” “The Not So Virgin Islands,” and how can you top this one: “Estella, Daniela and Heidi BUST out in 3D! (Glasses inside)”


    1. Who Needs Bikini’s Anyways!
    And the number one trend I observed in the SI history…the disrobing of the swimsuit altogether! 5 out of the last 10 covers have either no bikini top on the model, or show some sign of taking off the top. Hmm…I think the SI people better rethink the name of “Swimsuit Issue” if they plan on taking this trend any further…which I personally DO NOT recommend. Bring back the innocence,  or at least the bikini top.

    …Come on SI, bring back some of the cheese, for me. 

    “Zowie in Maui” just really makes my day.

    View the very fascinating SI History of Covers gallery at the NYPOST HERE.

    More recipes you may enjoy

    • Eating at Chipotle: Five Healthy Tips and Uncovered Food Facts
    • RECIPE: Kumquat Mandarin Sunrise Juice
    • Review of STOGO: Vegan Ice Cream in NYC. Crave it!
    • Recipe: Winter White Fruit Salad

    About Kathy Patalsky

    Hey there! I'm Kathy, lover of kitty cats, weekend baking, 90's movies, travel, beach fog and foamy lattes. Since 2007, I have been sharing my vegan recipes and photos. My goal is to make your cooking life a little easier, delicious - and plant-loaded - while sharing some LIFE and conversation along the way.

    Vegan Linzer Cookies

    5 Ingredient Vegan Chocolate Pie

    Vegan Pumpkin Bread with Streusel Topping

    Vegan Oatmeal Cookies, Lunchbox-Ready

    Primary Sidebar

    • Bloglovin
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

    newsletter:

    Trending

    my cookbooks

    my cookbooks

    Disqus Latest Comments

    1. s

      s: Absolutely one of the best things I've ever baked. Used dairy butter…

      Commented on: Cinnamon Toast Morning Muffins, gluten-free and vegan

    2. JanetS

      JanetS: Neither of those non-grain flours will substitute for oats or wheat. As…

      Commented on: Cinnamon Toast Morning Muffins, gluten-free and vegan

    3. disqus_LfP7ofaP87

      disqus_LfP7ofaP87: Earth Balance brand HAS PALM OIL, as do most of the vegan…

      Commented on: Sticky Banana Bread Quinoa Breakfast Bowl

    about kathy

    kathy patalsky

    featured: peach coconut water smoothie

    browse recipes

    Breakfast  |  Entrees  |  Desserts  |  Smoothies  |  Sandwiches  |  Salads  |  Beverages  |  Soups |  Appetizers |  Snacks  |  Sauces  |  Sides   /  Cooking Videos  |  Round-Ups  |  Fan Favorites  |  Holiday  /  All the Recipes

    browse:

    • reviews
    • travel
    • vegan topics
    • people
    • videos
    • beauty
    • wellness
    • Mom Life

    my ttc + baby journey

    Footer

    BROWSE BY:

    Category:

    DATE:

    looking for something?

    contact   |   about   |   kathy’s cookbooks  |  press  |  findingvegan  |  meal plans  |  shop  |  vegan recipe index  |  privacy policy  | start a blog

    • Bloglovin
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Services | Work with me