The final weeks of August are upon us. Anxious to soak in all the summer we can, loath to turn our minds to fall and the flurry of activity (within and without the fashion industry) that it brings, we — and all our celebrity Insta stalks — have vacated the premises. (“The premises” being anywhere that’s not a tropical isle or at the very least a beach or pool.)
And you know what that means — it’s bikini plandid time! (True, it’s important to relax and unplug. It’s also important to stock up on potential Instagram #content while the lighting and backdrop are good.) For those of you wondering what the heck a plandid is, it’s the selfie of 2017. A new form of Instagram portraiture. A term brought to the mainstream by Man Repeller writer Amelia Diamond (or, more specifically, her friend Trent). Here’s the formal definition:
“A plandid is a planned candid. An oxymoronic portmanteau brought to my attention by my friend Trent (turns out it’s been on Urban Dictionary since 2010), the term has come to mean, more than anything, a carefully calculated solo shot that appears to have been taken by a professional photographer, posted without a hint of shame or irony, and for no apparent reason other than, Why not?”
Needless to say, celebrities are masters in the art of plandid taking — especially the bikini-clad variety. Emily Ratajkowski and Ashley Graham could easily teach a course on posing, framing and technique (self-timer setting, etc.). But they’re busy.
Never mind them. In order to help you with your own not-so-impromptu photoshoots, we’ve rounded up the best celebrity bikini Instagrams of Summer 2017 (so far). Use them for inspiration…or just admire their artistry (and subjects). The choice is yours.
[ Next: 50 Celeb Bikini Instagrams You Won’t Want to Miss ]
Best Celebrity Bikini Instagrams Summer 2017
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Elle Fanning
"Not tanning" reads the caption on this one. Elle Fanning — or is that Marilyn Monroe? — wore lots of Miu Miu and SPF on the beach in Cannes.
Image: @ellefanning
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Winnie Harlow
A good celebrity bikini photo is made all the better by a fun accessory and genuine laugh, as demonstrated by Canadian-Jamaican model Winnie Harlow.
Image: @winnieharlow
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Emily Ratajkowski
A wise woman by the name of Emily Ratajkowski once said: "A selfie is a sort of interesting way to reclaim the gaze, right?" So's a plandid. (Side note: The one-hand-running-through-your-hair pose is very in right now.)
Image: @emrata
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Bella Hadid
Make like Bella Hadid and reenact the Fast Times at Ridgemont High slo-mo pool-exit scene (at dusk, of course). This is a particularly popular staging, according to Man Repeller.
Image: @bellahadid
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Ashley Graham
If you're going to post a self-indulgent celebrity bikini photo, you might as well go all the way and make it a subtle advertisement for your latest swimwear line. (Ashley Graham wears the Ashley Graham x Swimsuits For All Guapa Bikini.)
Image: @theashleygraham
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Lupita Nyong'o
Lupita Nyong'o (pictured here in Tulum) knows a good sarong when she sees one. Headed to an exotic locale? Be sure to give your 'gram a touch of local color.
Image: @lupitanyongo
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Zendaya
So this isn't a full-body bikini Instagram, but when it comes to Zendaya, we'll take what we can get. (Also, citrus-colored swimwear is very hot right now.)
Image: @zendaya
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Martha Hunt
"Take me to the river," writes Victoria's Secret Angel Martha Hunt. While we're huge fans of Hunt's lush surroundings, a watery backdrop would've really amped up the Birth of Venus vibes.
Image: @marthahunt
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Kaia Gerber
If you're feeling shy about posting a GPOY, angle your face downward and slightly to the left. Then come up with a witty caption, like "Blue Crush was about me."
Image: @kaiagerber
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Willow Smith
Willow Smith serves further proof that unconventional angles and clever bylines are the best. "This is not an optical illusion / this is <scary> #daddylonglegs," jokes the cool teen.
Image: @willowsmith
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Chanel Iman
Another popular pose involves sitting (or pretending to sit) somewhere you'd never actually sit. Chanel Iman looks fantastic; we've got sympathetic vertigo.
Image: @chaneliman
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Joan Smalls
Don't ditch your bandana and statement earrings in the face of sand and salt water. Rather, assume a limb-lengthening, extremely uncomfortable-looking position and smize.
Image: @joansmalls
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Iskra Lawrence
Don't be afraid to show off your makeup-free face — or ample curves.
Image: @iskra
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Kendall Jenner
Color coordination is always a big hit with the Instagram crowd — as are any and all things millennial pink. (For those wondering, Kendall Jenner wears a Lisa Marie Fernandez bikini, Jacquemus hat and Adam Selman x Le Specs sunglasses.)
Image: @kendalljenner
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Eva Longoria
"It's all about angles...and not breathing...and sucking it in until you're about to pass out!" quips Eva Longoria, who we're fairly certain looks great at any angle. Love the photo, could do without the self-deprecating caption.
Image: @evalongoria
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Kate Hudson
Here's an idea: frame your bikini bod with Beyoncé-esque floral accents.
Image: @katehudson
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Kourtney Kardashian
A symmetry-minded buddy pic is always appreciated.
Image: @kourtneykardash
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Jordyn Woods
Feeling especially bold? Reach for a super scanty bikini, but make sure the photo's a little bit shaded.
Image: @jordynwoods
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Rita Ora
Rita Ora's recent trip to Negril, Jamaica was a fount of bikini Instagram inspo. Here Ora is at the Rockhouse hotel, as indicated by her geotag. (Pro tip: For the most part, both businesses and followers appreciate you shouting out your shoot site.)
Image: @ritaora
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Hailey Baldwin
Like her pal Kendall Jenner, Hailey Baldwin appreciates the power of a monochrome setup. Like her pal Bella Hadid, Baldwin owns many bikini tops that can easily double as regular crops.
Image: @haileybaldwin
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Sofia Richie
We'll leave you with three words: location, location, location.
Image: @sofiarichie
