We watched the films, loved the characters, and swooned over the dresses. We’re using them as inspiration for that next dress to own.
From the dancing Lorelei Lee to a bright-eyed Cher off on a date, these dresses are iconic and currently wearable.
1. The Quintessential LBD: Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s
Audrey Hepburn popularized the little black dress or LBD in her 1961 film Breakfast at Tiffany’s. The dress was originally made by Givenchy and has become one of the most recognizable silhouettes in fashion.
Most dress moments occur in the middle or end of the movie. Leave it to Holly Golightly to be different and show the famous black dress during the opening credits.
Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly in the iconic black dress by Givenchy (Credit: Paramount Pictures)
Givenchy designed all the black shift dresses for the movie, with the lower half redesigned by costume designer Edith Head because it showed too much leg.
2. Marilyn Monroe’s Breathtaking White Halter: The Seven Year Itch
While Audrey Hepburn is known for her classy style, Marilyn Monroe is popular for being a bombshell.
Bruno Bernard‘s black and white vintage photograph of Marilyn Monroe taken on the set of The Seven Year Itch (Credit: 20th Century-Fox)
The sexy actress wore a sexy halter dress with a flowy silhouette for the movie The Seven Year Itch, which has become one of the most iconic fashion moments in film history.
Her dress was made by the movie’s costume designer, William Travilla, who designed costumes for Marilyn Monroe in eight of her films.
3. Julia Roberts’ Stunning Red Opera Gown: Pretty Woman
Julia Roberts’ outfits in Pretty Woman were pretty unforgettable, but her standout look was the red opera dress that made our jaws drop.
The red shoulder-baring gown by Marilyn Vance features some dramatic draping and a fantastic look with long white gloves.
Julia Roberts as Vivian Ward in the beautiful red dress by Marilyn Vance (Credit: Buena Vista Pictures Distribution)
According to costume designer Marilyn Vance, this iconic dress was almost made in black, but she persuaded the studio to go with her original red dress idea, which turned out to be perfect for Vivian.
The striking, off-the-shoulder, knee-length red dress is worn by Vivian (Julia Roberts) during a pivotal scene in the movie where she attends a fancy dinner at the Beverly Hills hotel with her client and love interest, played by Richard Gere.
Julia Roberts’s red gown was designed by film costume designer Marilyn Vance (Credit: Buena Vista Pictures Distribution)
4. Dorothy’s Gingham Dress Adventure: The Wizard of Oz
Who could forget the girl from Kansas who got whipped away to Oz for an unforgettable adventure?
Throughout her journey, Dorothy (played by Judy Garland) wore a blue-and-white gingham dress accessorized with a straw basket and those ruby slippers, of course!
Designed by Adrian Adolph Greenberg and praised for its simplicity, Dorothy wears the iconic blue and white gingham dress throughout most of the movie.
Judy Garland’s iconic blue gingham apron and shirt costume in The Wizard of Oz (Credit: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer)
The iconic blue dress became the world’s most expensive film costume, selling at an auction in 2015 for a whopping $1.2 million!
5. Molly Ringwald’s Prom Dress Reinvention: Pretty in Pinkk
Molly Ringwald’s prom dress in Pretty in Pink may not be as appealing to today’s modern women, but this kitschy DIY dress was such an integral part of every ’80s girl’s wardrobe.
Molly Ringwald’s puffy-sleeved polka dot prom dress in Pretty in Pink (Credit: Paramount Pictures)
Famed costume designer Marilyn Vance created the quirky, off-shoulder, polka-dotted number.
6. Keira Knightley’s Emerald Elegance: Atonement
It is the 1940s, and war is imminent, so this jewel green dress by Jacqueline Durran was certainly unexpected. We especially love its dramatic back and that artsy draping on the front.
Many consider Keira Knightley’s stunning green dress the best costume of all time (Credit: Universal Pictures)
Dubbed the “best costume of all time,” Keira Knightley’s emerald green dress from Atonement has received major praises, and for good reason.
The famous floor-length evening gown was created from scratch by costume designer Jacqueline Durran. It features rich silk fabric with a sexy V-neckline and a flowy skirt.
Keira Knightley as Cecilia in the sweeping green gown by Jacqueline Durran (Credit: Universal Pictures)
7. Sharon Stone’s Defining White Dress: Basic Instinct
Sharon Stone’s skimpy white dress was perhaps the hottest dress of the ’90s, thanks to that unforgettable and explicit interrogation scene in Basic Instinct, which no one will ever forget.
Sharon Stone in a sexy white dress while interrogated by cops (Credit: TriStar Pictures)
The dress was simple and skimpy, perfect for showing off Stone’s perfect pair of legs. Designed by Sharon Stone and American costume designer Ellen Mirojnick, the actress kept the dress and the rest of her wardrobe from the film.
“The costume designer, Ellen Mirojnick, took me to Rodeo Drive and said, ‘You can pick out any one thing that you want for your character,’” Sharon Stone wrote in Instyle.
“We decided to go for all white because my character had a very Hitchcockian vibe. But Ellen designed the dress so that I could sit like a man if he was being interrogated,” Stone continued. “It gave me the ability to move my arms and legs, take up space, and exercise control over a room full of men.”
“The movie was a thriller and we were stopping the action to watch me sit still in a chair, so I thought the possibility of anybody giving two s—ts about it was zero.”
Sharon Stone’s white Basic Instinct dress was designed by the actress and Ellen Mirojnick (Credit: TriStar Pictures)
“I put in my contract that I could keep the clothes,” she said. “People thought I was crazy, but the truth is I wasn’t getting paid much compared to my male co-star. I made $500,000; Michael made $14 million. So keeping my costumes was a really smart thing to do.”
“It was zipped up in a garment bag on the set, and it has never been opened since. I broke the zipper, so it’s hermetically sealed like a piece of art or a very cool time capsule,” Stone wrote about the white dress.
8. Cher’s Calvin Klein Moment: Clueless
Cher’s whole wardrobe in Clueless was every ’90s girl’s dream, including her very helpful virtual wardrobe app and revolving closet.
Considered a major fashion moment of the 90s and an inspiration for many fashion enthusiasts, the itty-bitty white slip dress worn by Alicia Silverstone’s character Cher Horowitz has become iconic (Credit: Paramount Pictures)
One of the most unforgettable outfits from the movie is Cher’s white Calvin Klein dress — the ultimate slipdress of the Clueless generation.
The film’s costume design by Mona May is considered one of the best of its time. It has been credited for creating a new fashion trend with its depiction of the 90s high school fashion.
Clueless Cast: Paul Rudd played the role of Josh Lucas. Brittany Murphy played Tai Frasier, Alicia Silverstone played Cher Horowitz, Breckin Meyer played Travis Birkenstock, Jeremy Sisto played Elton Tiscia, Donald Faison played Murray Duvall, Elisa Donovan played Amber Mariens, Stacey Dash played Dionne Davenport, and Justin Walker played Christian Stovitz (Credit: Paramount Pictures)
9. The Yellow Gown Bet: How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
Most movies are based on a bet, but this one is a cut, color, and carat above the rest.
Kate Hudson as Andie Anderson in the gorgeous yellow gown by fashion designer Dina Bar-el (Credit: Paramount Pictures)
The yellow gown that Andie wore to the Warner Advertising Gala was designed by Dina Bar-el around the 84-carat yellow diamond pendant “Isadora” by Harry Winston.
10. Lorelei Lee’s Pink Glamour: Gentlemen Prefer Blondes
The shocking pink strapless gown of Lorelei Lee by costume designer William Travilla has gained much acclaim through its famous model, Marilyn Monroe. Feel like singing about how diamonds are a girl’s best friend?
Not only is her iconic pink strapless dress considered one of the most iconic and memorable costumes in film history, but the song “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend” sung by Monroe in the movie has been covered by many artists over the years.
The 1953 musical comedy film”Gentlemen Prefer Blondes” is well known for Monroe’s portrayal of Lorelei Lee, a blonde showgirl and her iconic pink strapless dress designed by William Travilla (Credit: 20th Century Fox)
11. Winona Ryder’s Grunge Chic: Reality Bites
Grunge is at its height, with floral dresses and chunky Mary Janes.
Winona Ryder as the struggling filmmaker Lelaina Pierce in the ’90s classic Reality Bites (Credit: Universal Pictures)
Amidst her anti-consumerism rants and struggle to be somebody by age 23, Lelaina Pierce emerges cool and collected for her documentary premiere in this off-white crochet dress.
Starring opposite Ethan Hawke in the film, Winona Ryder would later co-star on the Netflix series Stranger Things with Ethan Hawke’s daughter Maya Hawke.
Winona Ryder wears an iconic dress in the role of Lelaina Pierce, a recent college graduate who is trying to make it as a filmmaker (Credit: Universal Pictures)
In your opinion, what’s the most iconic movie fashion moment of all time?