# Bridget in the Buff: The 1970s Nude Icon

> A 1970s jigsaw puzzle of a fat woman became a global merchandising sensation.
- Title: Bridget in the Buff: The 1970s Nude Icon · Slate Magazine
- Summary: A 1970s jigsaw puzzle of a fat woman became a global merchandising sensation. Dawn Brooks, a woman who posed nude for 1970s merchandise, became an unexpected…
- Keywords: dawn brooks, bridget in the buff, jigsaw puzzle, nude model, 1970s merchandise, seattle, nfl, Bridget, Buff, 1970s, Nude, Icon
- Source: Slate Magazine — https://slate.com/podcasts/decoder-ring/2026/09/bridget-in-the-buff-naked-fat-puzzles-puzzles-gifts-1970s-naafa?via=rss
- Published: 2026-09-23T07:50:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: dawn brooks, bridget in the buff, jigsaw puzzle, nude model, 1970s merchandise, seattle, nfl
## Who Was Bridget?
In the early 1970s, a jigsaw puzzle of a cheerful young naked fat woman named 'Bridget in the Buff' sold across America.

> Bridget was everywhere. But who was she?
## Dawn Brooks Reveals Her Story
Dawn Brooks, the real Bridget, shared how she became a popular nude model for 1970s merchandise.

> How does it feel to be a gag gift, and now, an unlikely icon?
## The Bridget Merchandise Explosion
Bridget-themed products like calendars, playing cards, and cookbooks sold worldwide for a decade.

> Bridget was everywhere.
## Why Bridget Stood Out
Her cheerful, unapologetic style made her a unique and relatable figure in 1970s pop culture.

> How does it feel to be a gag gift, and an icon?
## The Legacy of Bridget
Dawn Brooks' story highlights how a simple 1970s puzzle became a lasting cultural phenomenon.

> Bridget was everywhere.
## Key takeaway

Dawn Brooks, a woman who posed nude for 1970s merchandise, became an unexpected cultural icon.