Let’s be real for a second. We’ve all seen the perfectly polished, airbrushed-to-oblivion photos that usually dominate our feeds. But then there’s Chrissy Teigen. Whether she’s clambering onto a yacht or posing for a massive magazine cover, things always feel a little different with her. Kinda messy. Mostly honest. Definitely loud.
When Chrissy Teigen in swimsuit photos hit the internet, the reaction is almost always a polarized explosion. It’s been that way since she first popped up as the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Rookie of the Year back in 2010. But her 2024 return to the cover? That was a whole different beast. It wasn’t just about a "model" coming back; it was about a 38-year-old mother of four showing up exactly as she is.
The 60th Anniversary Comeback That Broke the Script
Most people expected a "throwback" moment. You know the type. A legacy model comes back, wears a suit that looks suspiciously like one she wore ten years ago, and everyone pretends time hasn't passed.
Chrissy didn’t do that.
For the 2024 SI Swimsuit 60th Anniversary issue, she landed a solo cover shot by Yu Tsai. She was wearing this plunging, peachy Saint Laurent one-piece. It was bold. It was expensive. But more importantly, it felt grounded. MJ Day, the editor-in-chief of the franchise, basically called her a "model mogul," and for good reason. Teigen isn’t just a face anymore; she’s a brand, a cookbook author, and a very public survivor of some pretty heavy life stuff.
What made this specific shoot interesting was where it happened. They didn’t fly to some remote, uninhabited sandbar in the middle of nowhere. They shot it at her home in Los Angeles.
Think about that.
Instead of the usual "look at me in paradise" vibe, it was "look at me in the place where I actually live with my four kids." It stripped away the fantasy and replaced it with something way more relatable. Even if your "relatable" doesn't include a Beverly Hills mansion, the energy of a woman being comfortable in her own space is something you can't fake.
Why Everyone Obsesses Over the "Rectangle" Body
Social media is a weird place. If you don't have a specific hourglass shape, people get... vocal. Chrissy has been famously open about what she calls her "square" or "right angle" body.
Back in 2020, she posted a video of herself in a black one-piece—what she jokingly called a "thirst trap." The trolls came out in droves. People were literally calling her "SpongeBob." Honestly, the internet can be a dumpster fire.
But her response? Iconic.
She basically told everyone she’s been a rectangle her whole life and it’s "paid off nicely." She’s not wrong. That "rectangle" has fronted some of the biggest magazines in the world. It’s a powerful middle finger to the idea that there is only one "correct" way to look in a bikini.
📖 Related: hot heidi klum pics: Why She Still Dominates the Lens in 2026
The Realities of Postpartum and Plastic Surgery
Chrissy is probably the most transparent celebrity out there when it comes to what’s actually happening under the suit. She doesn't just post the photo; she tells you about the scars.
- The Implant Removal: She’s been super open about getting breast implants at 20 for her modeling career and then getting them removed years later. She even pointed out her lift scars after an Oscars party.
- Postpartum Truths: After having Miles and Luna, and then Esti and Wren, she didn't hide the stretch marks. She didn't hide the "new normal."
- The Unedited Vibe: In April 2024, she shared a vacation photo that was clearly unfiltered. Moms everywhere lost their minds (in a good way).
It’s about the "nine months in, nine months out" lie. We’re told our bodies will just snap back like a rubber band. Chrissy shows the reality: things shift. Things deflate. Things change. And that’s okay.
The Style Evolution: From String Bikinis to High-Fashion One-Pieces
If you look at the trajectory of Chrissy Teigen in swimsuit appearances, you see a shift in fashion, too. Early Chrissy was all about the tiny, neon strings. It was the 2010s aesthetic.
Lately, she’s leaning into textures and "investment" pieces. We’re talking:
- Crochet and Beads: Very 70s retro.
- Leopard Print: She famously wore a Reina Olga leopard bikini that went viral because she looked like a normal person on vacation, not a mannequin.
- Denim Textures: Pushing the boundaries of what "swimwear" even means.
She’s also a big fan of brands like Alix (which makes incredible bodysuits that double as swimwear) and often pulls pieces that feel more like fashion statements than just gear for the pool. It’s less about "how much skin can I show?" and more about "how cool does this look?"
Facing the Trolls: A Masterclass in the Clapback
You can’t talk about Chrissy Teigen without talking about the comments section. It’s a battlefield.
In 2019, a troll told her to post "bikini pics only" because "nobody cares about your kids." Most celebs would ignore it. Chrissy? She hit back with, "Yeah well now that I've had kids you don't wanna see me in a bikini so it's quite the dilemma."
She plays on the insecurity that society projects onto women. The idea that once you become a mother, your "bikini days" are over. By continuing to pose for Sports Illustrated and posting her own vacation shots, she’s actively dismantling that boring old narrative.
🔗 Read more: Ke Huy Quan Han: Why the Star’s Most Overlooked Role is Actually Key to His Comeback
Actionable Takeaways for Your Own Swimwear Confidence
Look, we aren't all going to be on the cover of a magazine. But we can take a few pages out of the Teigen playbook for the next time we have to strip down at the beach.
- Own Your Shape: If you're a "rectangle," be a rectangle. If you're curvy, be curvy. The "ideal" body type changes every five years anyway—don't chase it.
- Invest in Quality Fabrics: Cheap suits lose their shape after one dip in the ocean. Look for textures like ribbed nylon or crochet that actually hold you in.
- Forget the "Bounce Back": If you’ve had kids, your body is different. Acknowledge the scars and the changes as part of the story, not as flaws to be edited out.
- The "Thirst Trap" Rule: If you feel good, take the photo. Post it or don't, but don't let the fear of what some random person in a basement might say stop you from enjoying your own skin.
If you’re looking to refresh your own beach wardrobe with that "Teigen vibe," start by looking into high-waisted bottoms and structured one-pieces. They offer the support that makes moving around—whether you're chasing kids or a cocktail—actually comfortable. Check out brands like Reina Olga or Bond-eye for that crinkle-stretch fabric that fits almost every body type without digging in.
Next Steps: If you want to replicate some of Chrissy’s most iconic looks, start by auditing your current swim drawer. Toss anything that makes you feel self-conscious and look for "multi-way" pieces that can transition from the pool to a lunch spot. You can find more styling tips by following the 2026 swimwear trends that emphasize "functional luxury" over fast-fashion trends.