From Miss America to Bond girls to modern-day boho babes—beach style has always shimmered. Let yours shine.

It starts, as many great American myths do, with a bathing suit and a dream.

In the 1920s, beach beauty was serious business. The Miss America pageant, staged on the sticky boardwalks of Atlantic City, was a full-blown production of poise, posture, and the ability to wear a wool one-piece without fainting in 90% humidity. Contestants were judged not only on their figures, but on their charm, talent, and ability to glide across sand with dignity. (Sequins were, naturally, mandatory.)

By the 1950s and ’60s, the beach girl had graduated to full-blown cinematic icon. Gidget, that plucky teen surfer played by Sandra Dee, made it chic to be sun-kissed, sporty, and just a little bit rebellious. Meanwhile, over in the South of France, Brigitte Bardot and Jane Birkin were redefining Riviera glamour—think basket bags, tousled bangs, and a complete indifference to structured swimsuits. They made seaside style look effortless. Because it was.

Then came the Bond girls, and suddenly, beach style had stakes. Ursula Andress’s entrance in Dr. No—all white bikini, dagger belt, and goddess-level confidence—was movie magic as well as a cultural shift. Beach jewelry wasn’t just acceptable, it was expected. Something that said, Yes, I dive for shells… and diamonds.

The ’80s and ’90s ushered in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit era, where sun-soaked bombshells like Christie Brinkley and Tyra Banks turned every shoreline into a runway. Glossy lips. Wind machines. Gold chains. It was glam. It was glowy. It was the first time you seriously considered packing a pair of chandelier earrings in your beach tote.

Then came the early 2000s and Baywatch. Red one-pieces, slow-motion running, and Pamela Anderson, who didn’t just run down the beach, she owned it. The beach girl was strong. She was sultry. And she most definitely accessorized.

By the mid-2000s, we dove headfirst into boho beach chic: cue Paris Hilton, Nicole Richie, and anyone who wore a shell choker with conviction. Beachwear bled into festivalwear. Jewelry got layered, lived-in, and lovingly chaotic. Turquoise, tassels, and toe rings, oh my.

And now? Well, now it’s personal. The beach girl isn’t one look, she’s a vibe. A choose-your-own-adventure of color, mood, energy, and edge. Whether you’re drawn to dreamy gemstones or showstopping niobium blooms, there’s a Holly Yashi piece that matches your shoreline alter ego.

Let’s find her.