Pamela Anderson’s Swimwear Legacy: From Baywatch Bombshell to Empowered Icon

How the Pamela Anderson ‘Baywatch’ red swimsuit became a cultural flashpoint—and what its revival says about swimwear, style, and self-image today.

Pamela Anderson starred in "Baywatch" as the character, C. J. Parker, from 1992 to 1997.Fremantle Media/Shutterstock

Okay, let’s talk about the swimsuit. You know the one. Firetruck red, high-cut, super iconic — worn by none other than Pamela Anderson in Baywatch. Whether you watched it in real time or caught reruns (or memes), that suit burned itself into fashion history.

Now, that same custom swimsuit is making waves again at a London museum exhibit called “Splash! A Century of Swimming and Style”, and it’s bringing up a lot more than just nostalgic beach vibes.

The original custom "Baywatch" swimsuit is now on display at “Splash! A Century of Swimming and Style” at The Design Museum in London.Luke Hayes

The Suit That Changed Everything

Pam’s famous red one-piece isn’t just a relic of ‘90s pop culture — it’s a fashion artifact. Designed specifically for her by the sportswear brand TYR, it wasn’t just high-cut and hot — it was made to fit her body like a glove. No mannequins at this exhibit could do it justice, so they suspended it in a glass case, floating like it’s still running in slow motion across the sand.

Curator Amber Butchart, a fashion historian, said this piece “haunted” her — not because it wasn’t iconic, but because it symbolized an era where the male gaze dictated what beauty and swimwear were “supposed” to look like. Butchart praised Anderson for reclaiming that image in recent years and flipping the script on her own story.

From Sex Symbol to Style Trailblazer

Pamela’s journey has been one of the most fascinating celebrity rebrands out there. After playing C.J. Parker — the volleyball-coaching, beach café-running lifeguard — she’s leaned into a completely different kind of fame: makeup-free red carpet appearances, vegan cookbooks, indie film roles (The Last Showgirl, anyone?), and her own practical swimwear line in collaboration with Frankies Bikinis.

She’s taken control of her narrative and body image — and that’s no small feat when your claim to fame is one of the most sexualized TV roles ever.

And honestly? That’s why it’s such a powerful moment to see her iconic swimsuit displayed with her own quote front and center. The museum made a point to include her voice in the exhibit, especially now that her swimwear designs are about real women and real bodies — not just slow-mo beach shots.

Actors Nicole Eggert and Pamela Anderson in their custom-made swimsuits on the set of "Baywatch."Fremantle Media/Shutterstock

Swimwear as a Social Mirror

The exhibit doesn’t just stop with Pam. It takes you on a full-on timeline, from the knitted unitards of the 1920s to modern inclusive suits designed for transgender, plus-size, and disabled bodies. There’s a unisex striped number from Beefcake Swimwear and a one-shoulder suit with accessible fasteners by Girls Chronically Rock — made to work with mobility issues.

It’s wild to think that swimwear has always been political. If you didn’t have the “right” body or the “right” suit, you weren’t welcome at the beach or the pool. One grim example: a municipal swimsuit from over 100 years ago — basically the OG rental — is also on display. Imagine needing council permission to go for a swim. Yeah. That was real.

As Butchart put it: “Swimwear enables access to public spaces. If it doesn’t work for your body, you’re denied that experience.” That’s deep, and very real.

The Pressures of Poolside Perfection

Of course, the exhibit also dives into how swimwear became a hotbed for body shaming. Vintage ads promising “hair-free, baby-soft skin” and magazine articles declaring that going bare-legged meant keeping perfectly shaved limbs at all times remind us how long beauty standards have been tied to swimsuits.

But the show doesn’t dwell on the negative — it celebrates how far we’ve come, especially with the one-piece making a fierce comeback. And yes, we owe some of that resurgence to Pamela’s legendary Baywatch silhouette.

On the right, a series of inclusive swimsuits designed for disabled and transgender people. On the left, a timeline of swimwear silhouettes through the ages.Luke Hayes

Giving Pam the Mic

In true full-circle fashion, a quote from Anderson herself sits beneath her original suit. She talks about designing swimwear for real life — not “just for taking pictures on the beach.” That hit me. It’s like she’s speaking directly to all of us who grew up seeing her as an icon but never saw ourselves in her body.

Now? She’s showing us how to be icons on our own terms.

Final Thoughts

The Pamela Anderson swimwear style we all remember is more than just a red swimsuit — it’s a story of evolution. From being a poster girl for 90s sex appeal to leading the charge for body-conscious, inclusive design, Pamela’s impact is still felt today.

Whether you love fashion, swim culture, or powerful women rewriting their stories, this is one worth paying attention to.

So, tell me — did you ever try to recreate that Baywatch look? And how do you feel about where swimwear is heading today? Drop your thoughts in the comments