Inspired by Sebastien’s Jan & Dean’s Surf City post, as we head into the heat of the summer I’m dedicating a series of blog posts called “Looking Back” to retro swimsuits!

One of the most iconic American images of the bikini is a photograph of Annette Funicello from the 1963 Beach Party movies, a series of summer beach movies with co-star Frankie Avalon. Word on the street is that Annette was instructed to wear bellybutton-covering bikini bottoms by none other than Mr. Walt Disney himself!

Annette Funicello, 1963. Courtesy Everett Collection / InStyle Online

The high-waisted bikini bottom is perfect for those ladies who prefer either a) a little modesty, b) a little retro, c) fashion fun, or d) all of the above!

Here are some modern high-waisted versions you can try on for yourself:

Retro Floral Highwaisted Bikini courtesy Mod Cloth

J.Crew New Glamour Top & Shelley Bottom. Courtesy J.Crew

Marc by Marc Jacobs. Courtesy Bloomingdales