Sophia Loren, Raquel Welch & More Vintage Style Icons In Swimsuits (PHOTOS)

PHOTOS: 27 Swimsuit Style Icons From The '40s To Today

With Memorial Day Weekend fast approaching, bikini season is here. When I put on my swimsuit this past weekend and headed over to a friends rooftop, I realized how long it had been since I last laid out in the heat. Too long. So long, in fact, that I realized I didn't even own sunblock anymore (this was quickly remedied). I'd consider last weekend a preview of what's to come for the next few months. This week is all about preparation, making sure you have the right beach hat, sunglasses and cover-up to survive summer 2012.

To get ready for the long weekend of sunbathing, seaside-frolicking and fun, let's take a look back at Sophia Loren, Raquel Welch, Rita Hayworth and more style icons in their swimsuits. These celebrities famously knew how to rock a bikini... so let's see if we can learn a thing or two from them in the slideshow below.

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