Bikinis, beaches and bombshells: From a VERY demure two-piece in 1964 to Kate Upton's barely-there number, Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue covers through the decades
The decision to put buxom blonde, Kate Upton, on the cover of this year's Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue continues the magazine's long tradition of favouring voluptuous models for the coveted photo shoot.
She is a far cry, however, from the magazine's first ever cover girl, Babette March, who appeared in a far more modest, albeit risque for the time, white, two-piece number in 1964.
48 years and still growing! Babette March appeared on the first ever Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue in 1964 (left) wearing a then risque two piece bikini. Yesterday, voluptuous siren, Kate Upton, was revealed as the 2012 cover star of the iconic issue wearing a considerably smaller number designed by Suit Yourself Bikinis
Ahead of the curve: Sue Peterson was the first 'healthy' looking model for the cover in 1964 (left). Cheryl Tiegs was a popular favourite (right) whose appearance in a later 1978 issue caused a huge stir when she was photographed in a nearly see-through swimsuit. Over 300 outraged readers cancelled their subscription that year
Admirable assets: The Sports Illustrated cover stars like Elle MacPherson (left), Tyra Banks (middle) and Heidi Klum (right) were made household names by the magazine. The provocative images have attracted millions of fans over the years but are disapproved of by moral flag bearers and feminists who see them as exploitative
Sizzle: Yamila Diaz (left) waves the flag for Latin America in 2002 while Veronica Verakova (middle) was pictured in Montauk, NY. In 2006, the magazine decided to capitalise on the popularity of their sexy issue by putting eight past cover girls on the front of the issue including Rachel Hunter, Elle MacPherson and Rebecca Romjin
Exception to the rule: Beyonce Knowles (left) was the first non-model to appear on the prestigious cover in 2007 while Israeli model Bar Rafaeli (right) was shot in 2009
Bringing up the rear: All-American girl Brooklyn Decker stripped for the sex 2010 cover in the Maldives and last year passed the mantel to Russian beauty Irina Shayk