There is something special about summer and the beach. Whether it is relaxing by the water, enjoying a tropical getaway, or simply soaking up the sunshine, celebrities know how to make beach style memorable.
In 2016, plenty of famous women shared vacation snapshots, professional photoshoots, and stylish seaside moments that captured plenty of attention. From internationally recognized models to chart-topping musicians and popular actresses, this collection features 30 memorable beach looks from that year.
We have divided the list into three groups: models, musicians, and actresses. Each celebrity brought her own personality and fashion sense to the beach, making the countdown a fun look back at some of the most talked-about summer styles of 2016.
30. Doutzen Kroes – Model
Doutzen Kroes had already established herself as one of the world's most recognizable models by 2016. Her experience in fashion was reflected in her effortless beach style.
The Dutch model was photographed enjoying time in Formentera, Spain, during the summer. Her relaxed vacation look showed why she remained a standout name in the modeling world.
29. Miley Cyrus – Musician
Miley Cyrus was never afraid to embrace a bold and playful personal style, and her beach photos from 2016 were no exception. Her Instagram posts showed a more relaxed side of the singer while still featuring the quirky fashion choices fans expected from her.
Her colorful personality made even an ordinary day by the water feel distinctly Miley.
28. Maitland Ward – Actress
Many viewers remembered Maitland Ward from her role as Rachel in Boy Meets World, but by 2016 she had developed a very different public image. Her social media was filled with fashion, costume, and swimwear-inspired photography.
Her beach appearances demonstrated her confidence and distinctive sense of style, giving longtime fans a fresh perspective on the actress.
27. Rhian Sugden – Model
British model Rhian Sugden had built a strong following in the UK through her work in fashion and glamour modeling. Her summer vacation in Turkey gave fans another glimpse of her relaxed holiday style.
The photos captured Sugden enjoying the sunshine and showed why she remained a recognizable figure in British modeling.
26. Lady Gaga – Musician
Lady Gaga was famous for dramatic stage costumes, so seeing her enjoying a simple beach vacation offered a refreshing change. She was photographed relaxing at a resort in Mexico during the summer of 2016.
Gaga was also gaining recognition for her acting work at the time, earning a Golden Globe for her performance in American Horror Story: Hotel.
25. Dakota Johnson – Actress
Dakota Johnson was one of Hollywood's most talked-about young actresses in 2016, thanks largely to the success of Fifty Shades of Grey and its upcoming sequel.
Her appearance in France during filming attracted plenty of attention, while her relaxed vacation and beach style added another memorable moment to her year.
24. Charlotte McKinney – Model
Charlotte McKinney became widely recognized through modeling, social media, and memorable advertising appearances. Her sunny California lifestyle also made beach photography a natural fit.
Photos from Malibu and Santa Monica during the summer showed the model enjoying the warm weather while keeping her signature fashion-forward style.
23. Christina Milian – Musician
Christina Milian successfully balanced music and acting throughout her career, and 2016 was another busy year for the entertainer. Her social media posts often gave followers a glimpse into her everyday life.
A sunny beach selfie posted during the year captured Milian enjoying the season in a relaxed and personal way.
22. Lindsay Lohan – Actress
Lindsay Lohan had experienced plenty of highs and lows in the public eye, but in 2016 she was enjoying a quieter chapter. Her beach vacation in Mauritius offered a chance to relax away from the spotlight.
The photos also demonstrated that great summer style does not always require a traditional bikini. Lohan's one-piece look was equally eye-catching.
21. Liziane Gutierrez – Model
Brazilian model Liziane Gutierrez was known for her bold personality and attention-grabbing fashion choices. During a Los Angeles beach outing in July 2016, she once again embraced an unconventional look.
Her playful accessories and distinctive beachwear helped make the photos stand out from the rest of the countdown.
20. Taylor Swift – Musician
Taylor Swift's beach photos from 2016 captured a much more relaxed side of the global pop star. The images showed Swift enjoying time in the sunshine during her relationship with Calvin Harris.
Looking back, the photographs also became a snapshot of an eventful period in Swift's personal life, making them memorable beyond the beach setting itself.
19. Jennifer Lawrence – Actress
Jennifer Lawrence was one of Hollywood's biggest stars in 2016, with blockbuster movies and award-winning performances already under her belt. Her beach appearance in the Bahamas showed her enjoying some well-deserved downtime.
The relaxed vacation setting provided a different look at the actress away from movie premieres and red carpets.
18. Bar Refaeli – Model
Bar Refaeli had already built an impressive international modeling career long before 2016. Her beach photos that year showed why she remained a favorite in fashion and lifestyle photography.
From casual appearances to professional shoots, Refaeli demonstrated how effortlessly she could transition between different styles.
17. Selena Gomez – Musician
Selena Gomez offered two completely different beach moods in these 2016 images. One showed a carefree vacation moment with friends in Costa Rica, while another featured a retro-inspired denim swimsuit look.
The contrast highlighted Gomez's ability to move comfortably between casual vacation fashion and carefully styled photoshoots.
16. Jessica Alba – Actress
Jessica Alba's 2016 beach appearances proved that her effortless style remained as recognizable as ever. The actress was photographed enjoying a Hawaiian vacation during the summer.
Two photographs taken just days apart showed Alba experimenting with different vacation outfits while enjoying the island scenery.
15. Kelly Brook – Model
Kelly Brook was already an experienced model when these photographs were taken, so posing in front of a camera was nothing new. Her 2016 beach appearance showed that she could look equally comfortable in a professional shoot or a candid vacation photograph.
Brook was also associated with swimwear design and modeling, making her an especially natural choice for a summer-themed countdown.
14. Nicki Minaj – Musician
Nicki Minaj has always embraced bold fashion, and her beachwear was no different. A bright yellow swimsuit gave her 2016 summer look plenty of personality.
The rapper frequently used social media to share colorful and confident fashion moments, and this beach appearance fit perfectly with her distinctive image.
13. Hilary Duff – Actress
Hilary Duff had successfully moved beyond her early television fame and was enjoying a strong acting career in 2016. Her vacation in Maui offered fans a glimpse of her relaxed summer style.
At the time, Duff was also starring in the television series Younger, giving her another major role that kept her in the spotlight.
12. Pascal Craymer – Model
Pascal Craymer's background as an international gymnast helped give her a strong foundation for a career in modeling. Her 2016 beach photos highlighted her confident and athletic style.
A casual seaside pose from August became one of her more memorable summer images, combining a relaxed vacation atmosphere with classic beach fashion.
11. Katy Perry – Musician
Katy Perry brought her playful personality to an Italian getaway in August 2016. Her colorful bikini and cheerful expression perfectly matched the relaxed holiday setting.
The singer was enjoying time with Orlando Bloom during the trip, while photographs from the vacation quickly attracted widespread attention.
10. Kelly Rohrbach – Actress
Kelly Rohrbach was making the transition from modeling into acting in 2016, with her role as C.J. Parker in the upcoming Baywatch movie drawing considerable attention.
Her photoshoot for GQ showcased the beach-ready style that made her a natural fit for the role and helped establish her as one of the year's most recognizable new faces.
9. Nina Agdal – Model
Nina Agdal was already a familiar face to fans of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue by 2016. She had made her debut in 2012 and earned the publication's Rookie of the Year honor.
Her return to the 2016 edition once again demonstrated why she had become one of the best-known swimsuit models of her generation.
8. Iggy Azalea – Musician
Iggy Azalea celebrated her 26th birthday with friends aboard a boat, creating the perfect setting for a memorable summer photo.
The rapper was no stranger to social media attention, and her vacation snapshots continued to generate plenty of discussion among fans throughout 2016.
7. Margot Robbie – Actress
Margot Robbie had a memorable summer in 2016, and her beach photographs were among the images that attracted plenty of attention.
During a vacation that included surfing and relaxing by the water, the actress showed off a naturally relaxed beach style. Her growing Hollywood profile made every public appearance especially newsworthy.
6. Emily Ratajkowski – Model
Emily Ratajkowski was one of the most recognizable young models of the time, with appearances in major fashion and swimsuit publications helping establish her international profile.
Her August 2016 social media posts included stunning coastal scenery from Greece and showcased her distinctive approach to summer fashion.
5. Jennifer Lopez – Musician
Jennifer Lopez continued to prove that timeless style never goes out of fashion. In 2016, she welcomed the warmer months with several memorable swimsuit photographs shared with her followers.
From a simple white bikini and sunglasses to a colorful poolside look in Las Vegas, Lopez showed why she remained one of the most recognizable stars in entertainment.
4. Ariel Winter – Actress
Ariel Winter became widely known for playing Alex Dunphy on Modern Family, and in 2016 she was increasingly making headlines outside the show.
Her summer social media posts showed her enjoying the sunshine and experimenting with different beach styles. They became another memorable part of her growing public profile.
3. Sara Underwood – Model
Sara Underwood had already established herself as a familiar face in modeling and entertainment. Her social media presence also made her a popular source of travel and beach photography.
In 2016, she continued sharing images from scenic destinations around the world, including a memorable setting at Grand Teton National Park.
2. Britney Spears – Musician
Britney Spears enjoyed a major career resurgence in 2016, including her successful Las Vegas performances. Away from the stage, she also found time for a tropical getaway in Hawaii.
The beach photographs showed a relaxed side of the pop superstar and added another memorable summer moment to an already eventful year.
1. Kim Kardashian – Television Personality
Kim Kardashian rounded out the countdown after a family vacation in 2016 attracted plenty of attention. During the August getaway, she was photographed enjoying the beach while wearing different white swimsuit styles.
Whether relaxing with family or appearing in front of cameras, Kardashian remained one of the most closely followed celebrities of the year. Her beach fashion became another memorable part of her highly photographed 2016.
From models and musicians to actresses and television personalities, these 30 stars each brought something different to the beach in 2016. Which celebrity had your favorite summer style?