#23 - Heidi Sorenson

Heidi Sorenson was Miss July 1981, an icon in the dawn of a new era for Playboy. In the early 1980's, Playboy found Gig Gangel's style, Lisa Welch's innocence, Kim McArthur's ass, and Linda Vaughn's wisftfulness all bringing up new things to talk about. The era was the first time pubic hair was shown in full force, and the first time models were allowed to truly explore the creative landscape. But none of these girls did as much to set the standard for beauty as much as Heidi did. A Canadian sweetheart with a strong heart and artistic background, Miss Sorenson was a freshly mature model with plenty to show off.

Heidi's unbelievable quality of creativity shows in her photos flawlessly. She was incredible in finding new and revolutionary ways of posing, and using sets and props to her advantage. No Playmate before her did what she did, and very few afterwards have been able to replicate it. Heidi's ability to blend in completely with the scenery made her an incredible new talent. It can be argued that it was the photography of the times that makes Heidi so amazing even today. The photographic techniques and shadowing flaws of the past make photos of Miss Sorenson incredibly life-like and natural, not to mention a little whimsical and dreamy.

Heidi was one of the most beautiful women in Playboy history. Her hair blew in the wind, her body was bronzed and gorgeous. Heidi was way ahead of her time... look at Playmates in 1981 other than her, and then look at this photo. You'd swear that Heidi was posing twenty years later, in 2001. What I mentioned about Heidi using settings to her advantage is apparent from her "river-rinse" pictorial. It starts off with a panoramic shot, very artsy and intriguing right away. Heidi is seen completely nude and washing herself in a stream or pond. The next photo is one of the great photos in Playboy history, Pic 14 of Heidi's pictorial. Here, she's the quintessential blonde goddess, with her hair glowing through with the sun in the background, her body glistening with water, and the look on her face absolutely amazing and photogenic. The photos continue in the fields, with this one capturing that browned body. Other amazing shots include the painter, the bedsheet (a great display of an alluring set of eyes), and an outright nude shot showing off her great posing posture.

After that fantastic photo portfolio, there's no doubt Heidi Sorenson is one of the greatest Playmates ever. That's why she's my #23. Her unbelievable bleached blonde look and great talents were timeless, and still capture the essence of a Playboy model today. Even now, girls emulate the example set forth by ladies like Heidi, and she's definitely made her mark for years, although other big names of the 80's may sometimes be mentioned before her.

#24 - Cara Wakelin

Cara Wakelin was Miss November 1999, in an era when Playmates got bustier and the years got sexier. Gorgeous Playmates sprung up month after month, and Cara was one of them. An oft overlooked Playmate because of the exciting Class of '99, complete with Bergman, Fuson, Sokolova, Spicer, Rovero, Cline, Paterson, and Richards, Cara has a lot to prove. This Austrailian-Canadian beauty caught the eyes of real fans of the magazine.

Cara was a very dynamic poser with a smooth technique and beautiful milky skin. Her unique face and dirty blonde hair capture scenes with a natural look and feel. Speaking of natural, her body is the definition of natural. A true outdoorsy gal, Cara's own body is a natural wonder. It's not overdone or underdone, just a perfect balance of breasts and butt.

The main thing I think tells Cara's story is her body. You have to see her to believe her, and you really have to appreciate female beauty to understand everything she has to offer. Cara is the ultimate display of the feminine charm that make women so wonderful to look at. Just look at her stare, and it conveys a playful youthfulness that Cara does unlike anyone else. Some of the series in her pictorial are absolutely jaw-dropping, because of the smoothness of Miss Wakelin's awesome body. Check her out here, and here. Like I said, you have to see her to believe her. Her nudity is so unforced and flawless, without a single hitch. There's nothing that makes it seem like she's trying too hard. She just does it with ease. This classic photo stresses that, and it doesn't stop, with photos of her fantastic bush. This full body shot is one of my favorites... Cara mixes the "cute" with the "raw" as she meshes her smooth nudity with braids and a golden smile. The pictorial then shifts to the bedroom, where Cara turns utterly sexual and her body lights up with gold.

Top it all off with one of the great centerfolds of all-time (curvy and simple, that's how we like em!), and you've got a winner.

All around, Cara is almost second to none when it comes to straight up nude, natural posing. That's what she did best, and that's why she's my #24. Ultimately, it's unfair that Cara was one of the most underrated Playmates of all time, but she's finally gotten her due.

#25 - Carrie Westcott

Carrie Westcott was Miss September 1993, in a year when stars like Echo Johnson and Jenny McCarthy got their starts. But it was Carrie whose dynamic presence really ushered in a new era of grittiness and heavy sexuality in the Playboy world. The early 90's were dotted with stars like Barbara Moore, Anna Nicole Smith, and Suzi Simpson, but Carrie sticks out among them all.

Carrie's significant height (5' 8") and perfect proportions (34-24-34) were easily visible anytime she got in front of the camera. Most of all, however, her pictorials are varied and full of dynamic zeal throughout each photo. She never looks the same in any two photos, and she has so many facets to the character she creates, it's astounding.

One of Carrie's classic shots is the raincoat. Simple, yet Carrie flashes her signature cocked-eyebrow stare at the audience. Let me tell you, nobody's better at looking lean and mean like Carrie. Carrie, indeed, did have very natural breasts. They weren't large by any means, but they were substantial. She flashed her cute smile from time to time, breaking the trend and mixing things up. On full display, Carrie's lightly steamed body is a sight for sore eyes. But Carrie's best photos are there when she's just playing around, being sexy and edgy, like in her classic lingerie strip-tease here and here.

It's no mystery what makes Carrie my #25 Greatest Playmate of All Time. It's a combination of all the things that put her into one sexy package. She was a Playmate with some of the best variety of any girl out there, and she was a staple of the 1990's that could have, and should have contended for a Playmate of the Year spot. We love you, Carrie.