We’re Obsessed With These 5 Gorgeous Summery Pics of Lily Aldridge in Turks and Caicos

The SI Swimsuit legend and former cover girl was photographed by James Macari for the 2016 issue.

Ananya Panchal | Feb 22, 2025

Lily Aldridge was photographed by James Macari in Turks and Caicos. / James Macari/Sports Illustrated

Lily Aldridge has been a defining figure in the world of fashion and beauty for over a decade, and her relationship with Sports Illustrated Swimsuit has only deepened with time. The model, who first graced the pages of the magazine in 2014, became part of its rich legacy when she landed the cover alongside Nina Agdal and Chrissy Teigen in the Cook Islands for the 50th anniversary issue. That iconic cover marked the start of Aldridge’s lasting connection with the publication, as she went on to appear in several subsequent issues.

Aldridge’s natural beauty and effortless elegance have made her a mainstay in the franchise, and her journey with the brand has been as inspiring as it is impressive. “It means so much to me,” the 39-year-old said of her role as an official SI Swimsuit “legend” while on location for the special 60th anniversary photo shoot last year. “Growing up, Sports Illustrated Swimsuit was such an iconic magazine. So many of the women who graced the cover are inspirations to me and still are. To be following in their footsteps and be considered a Legend for this incredible brand is a huge honor.”

Through the years, Aldridge has embodied everything the magazine stands for—empowerment, inclusivity and the celebration of womanhood. The mom of two, who shares her kids with husband and singer Caleb Followill, has used her platform to encourage self-love.

“I love everything about being a woman. It’s such a wonderful, empowering thing to be a woman. There are so many beautiful facets of it, and the evolution of womanhood is beautiful,” she shared. “What Sports Illustrated Swimsuit is doing, what MJ [Day, editor in chief] is doing, what she is pioneering in terms of elevating women and women’s stories, and inclusion, is so important. Being an incredible example of what it means to empower others and letting people have their platforms is crucial. And she’s just so wonderful at doing that.”

Aldridge has been a staple in high-fashion runways and major magazines over the past several years. Last fall she became the face of Christian Louboutin Beauty’s FÉTICHE LE CUIR fragrance and starred in a cute campaign for GAP.

Today, we’re taking a look back at her 2016 feature in Turks and Caicos with James Macari from almost a decade ago, where she leaned into summer vacation vibes in a series of neon looks.

James Macari/Sports Illustrated

Published Feb 22, 2025

ANANYA PANCHAL

Ananya Panchal is a writer on the Lifestyle and Trending News team for SI Swimsuit, where she covers fashion, beauty, pop culture and the internet’s favorite personalities and trends. She joined the brand in 2022 after roles at Bustle, the San Francisco Chronicle and the TODAY Show. Panchal loves to write about fashion in all its forms—from standout runway moments and evolving street style to the best accessories to elevate each season’s wardrobe (she rarely goes anywhere without a stack of jewelry and a coffee in hand). A self-proclaimed beauty fanatic, she’s always on the hunt for must-have products and loves breaking down viral trends. Her favorite series at the moment is spotlighting female founders and the stories behind the brands they’ve built—especially those shaping the future of fashion, wellness and tech. She is based between New York City and San Francisco and, when she’s not writing, can be found rewatching One Tree Hill, playing sudoku, trying new restaurants or ranking her favorite Disney Channel Original Movies. She holds a bachelor’s degree in communications and journalism with a minor in criminal justice from Boston University.