A Look Back on the Retro Playboy Bunny Costumes _ Olden American Chronicles

The Playboy Bunny costume -- with its shiny satin bustier and floppy-eared head gear -- has become an iconic part of America's pop culture history. Ever since Hugh Hefner and Playboy executive Victor Lownes recruited Zelda Wynn Valdes to design the rabbit-inspired outfit, it's morphed into a recognizable symbol for Hefner's formidable media empire.

24th April 1966: A group of British Playboy Bunny girls (Kathleen Bascombe, Dolly Read, Catherine MacDonald and Doreen Allen) arriving at London Airport on a BOAC plane. (George Stroud / Express / Getty Images)

16th February 1978: Croupier and bunny girl, Corrina, dealing cards at the Hefner-Playboy Park Lane club in London. (Ian Tyas / Keystone Features / Getty Images)

30th September 1974: Champion British boxer John Conteh is lifted by Playboy Bunny Girls. (Monty Fresco / Evening Standard / Getty Images)

Rock and roll singer Jackie Wilson autographs the cuff of a Playboy Bunny at a dinner for the Motion Picture Pioneers Association at the Playboy Club on November 19, 1962 in New York, New York. (PoPsie Randolph / Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images)

The 'Singing Bunnies' - Bunny Girl waitresses at the London Playboy Club - perform a song during the club's 'Showtime In The Playroom' spot, circa 1972. The group have recorded an album and are, left to right: Elaine Tulley, Heather Colne, Rosemary Lamb, Julie Ann Smith, Jo Anne Wigley and Karen Parkinson. (Keystone / Hulton Archive / Getty Images)

Playboy Bunny during McCarthy Fundraising Dinner and Party at The Playboy Club in Beverly Hills, California, United States. (Ron Galella / WireImage)

11th February 1963: Bunny Girls taking an order in a club restaurant. (Victor Blackman / Express / Getty Images)

Two Bunny Girls from the Playboy Club and two Penthouse Pets from the Penthouse Club prepare to take part in the annual Good Friday waiters and waitresses race in Battersea Festival Gardens, London, 28th March 1972. (Ian Showell / Keystone / Hulton Archive / Getty Images)

A troupe of Bunny girl dancers including Maureen Hayden and Marianne Hunt during a performance at London's Playboy Club. (Victor Blackman / Getty Images)

Millionaire publisher of Playboy magazine Hugh Hefner poses with a bevy of bunny girls at one of America's chain of Playboy clubs. (Helmut Kretz / Getty Images)

A group of Playboy Bunny Girls from London's Playboy Club waiting for Hugh Hefner, the American owner of the 'Playboy' business empire at London Airport. (Dove / Getty Images)

Playboy editor and tycoon Hugh Hefner is greeted by a group of bunny girls from his Playboy Clubs, upon his arrival at London Airport. (Dove / Getty Images)

22nd June 1976: Bunny Girls in costume pose on the roof of the Playboy Club, London. (Aubrey Hart / Evening Standard / Getty Images)

20th December 1967: A bunny girl croupier at the Playboy club supervises a roulette wheel. (David Cairns / Express / Getty Images)

24th March 1970: Three Playboy Club Bunny Girls practice their serving during a training session for the All-London Waiter and Waitress Race to be held for charity in Battersea Park. (Central Press / Getty Images)

1962: Glamorous 'Bunny Girl' Wanda rings a gong for breakfast at Hugh Hefner's 'Playboy Club'. (Keystone Features / Getty Images)

(via TheHuffingtonPost)