Marilyn Monroe's 14 Most Iconic Outfits of All Time

Diamonds (and style) are a girl's best friend.

Hollywood legend Marilyn Monroe lived a storied life full of ups and downs, but one thing that remained a constant in the actress's life was her unapologetic love for fashion. Monroe embraced femininity to the fullest by wearing form-fitting hourglass silhouettes, rich hues, and necklines that plunged into daring terrain.

Many moments throughout her film career have left a lasting impression on fashion, thanks to her collaboration with famed costume designer William Travilla. These include the famous cotton candy pink gown and matching opera gloves she wore in "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes," the white halter dress from "The Seven Year Itch" that beautifully billowed once she stepped upon a subway grate, and the bawdy western saloon style she donned in "River of No Return."

Even her off-screen outfits have made an impression. Monroe never fell for fashion fads and instead gravitated towards a classic, minimalist wardrobe built around capri pants, boatneck shirts, duster coats, and chic sheath dresses. Her effortless ability to go from full-on glitz to barefoot in jeans is the style duality that has made Marilyn Monroe's outfits such conversation starters even after decades have passed.

Ahead, we examine the outfits that made this silver screen siren a fashion icon for the ages.

Promotional Portrait, 1946

Before she was known as Marilyn Monroe, she was Norma Jean Baker. In 1946, the aspiring actress set out on a path to become America's sweetheart and was photographed in a series of promotional photos throughout 1946 and 1947 that captured her wholesome allure. One of the most famous looks from those photos was her candy cane-striped bikini, which complemented her strawberry blonde locks.

Promotional Photo, 1947

Once she adopted her Hollywood moniker, Monroe continued to shoot promotional portraits in more conservative attire like this seafoam blue chiffon gown with blooming embroidery spread throughout. Monroe's earlier, more modest wardrobe and natural looks in these photos served as an interesting contrast to the bombastic looks and manicured beauty she flaunted later on in her career.

Idaho Potato Sack, 1951

After she received criticism from a journalist who disapproved of a sultry red dress Monroe wore, going as far as to say that even a potato sack would have looked better. Monroe's film studio, Twentieth Century Fox, took advantage of the negative press and arranged a photo shoot where Monroe wore just that: a potato sack. Proving that the actress would look radiant no matter what she wore.

How to Marry a Millionaire, 1953

The actress solidified her stardom with her acclaimed role in the comedy film How to Marry a Millionaire, in which she wore a plethora of awe-inspiring gowns custom-made for her by costume designer William Travilla. One of the standout costumes from the film was this ruched gown bonded by a beaded belt and asymmetrical strap, which Monroe donned with the utmost confidence - a characteristic that would become paramount to her style.

How to Marry a Millionaire Premiere Party, 1953

Monroe continued to serve golden-era glamour while at the premiere party of "How To Marry A Millionaire," wearing a strapless dress and stole, which would later become a winning style combo for the actress. The lace detailing of this look is perfectly offset by the shining satin sash and matching gloves that add an air of regalness to the otherwise sultry ensemble.

Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, 1953

One of Monroe's most iconic looks is undoubtedly the cotton candy pink gown she wore in the 1953 musical "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes." In the film, Monroe saunters about in this ravishing number while exclaiming that "diamonds are a girl's best friend," a sight that has become seared in the minds of many for its outlandish opulence. This look has become so iconic that it has spawned countless reincarnations from Madonna's "Material Girl" music video to Ryan Gosling's performance of "I'm Just Ken" at the 2024 Oscars.

Frank Povolny Portrait, 1953

Photographer Frank Povolny captured the golden glow of Monroe's stunning beauty in their 1953 portrait session. Set against a stark black background, the goddess gown highlighted the inviting warmth of Monroe's presence and also fit her like a glove. Plunging necklines and pleated skirts would go on to be stylish spotlights in Monroe's fashions.

Rallying the Troops, 1954

Monroe cemented her place in the hearts of Americans nationwide during the Korean War when she embarked on a four-day tour, during which she performed ten shows in front of audiences totaling over 100,000 soldiers and marines. These performances showcased a myriad of beaded sheath dresses like the purple number seen above. The images of Monroe rallying the troops became a beacon of beauty and hope for many.

River of No Return, 1954

Playing a goodhearted barroom singer in the Western thriller "River of No Return," Monroe had the opportunity to get laced up in more jaw-dropping outfits from the mind of William Travilla. Monroe's wardrobe of stylish saloon looks was a masterclass of design that pushed the limits of what Western wear could be, as seen in this green velvet corseted gown with jet-black beading and red ruffled crinoline underskirt.

The Seven Year Itch, 1955

Undoubtedly, one of Monroe's most famous outfits was the all-white ensemble she wore in "The Seven Year Itch," which featured the dress. It makes its grand appearance as Monroe and her on-screen co-star Richard Sherman leave a movie theater, and once they hear a subway train passing below the sidewalk grate, she steps on it and asks, "Ooh, do you feel the breeze from the subway?" as the wind sends the dress billowing up teasing viewers with a flirty glimpse of her legs. The Travilla-designed frock is one of the few articles of clothing that has its very own Wikipedia page due to the sheer impact that the look had on society and pop culture on a worldwide level.

Married Life, 1956

Monroe adopted a chic collection of separates to wear in her off-screen life that offered a more approachable image of the blonde bombshell. These rare moments of Monroe living out her day-to-day life, while looking impossibly good gave the star a relatable visage and inspired many who gazed upon her off-duty outfits also to put more effort into their attire.

Some Like It Hot, 1958

For her role in "Some Like It Hot," Monroe was dressed by Australian-American Hollywood costume designer Orry-Kelly — a rare departure from her stylish partnership with Travella. The costumes in the film featured heavy embellishments and sheer silhouettes that certainly pushed the envelope at the time, such as this champagne-sequined gown that featured a neckline that left little to the imagination.

Jetsetting, 1961

When she wasn't performing on-screen, Monroe constantly balanced glamour and relatable charm with her outfits. Although many of her clothes skimmed her body in a sensuous manner, she still gave off an heir of sophistication with her outerwear and tailoring. This jersey dress and printed trench coat she wore to jet set to New York from Los Angeles is the perfect embodiment of her street style.

Happy Birthday, Mr. President, 1962

One of the last iconic looks of Monroe's is the Jean Louis design she wore to sing "Happy Birthday" to then President John F. Kennedy at Madison Square Garden. The dress was rendered in a sheer nude fabric and shimmered with hundreds of hand-sewn sequins splattered about. The moment for Monroe became one of grand notoriety, or infamy depending on who you ask, and the Louis dress took on a life of its own after Monroe's death, having had many owners first being sold for $1.26 million at a 1999 auction and then sold to Ripley’s Believe It or Not for a whopping $4.8 million. The dress found itself in the headlines once again when it was controversially worn by Kim Kardashian to the Met Gala in 2022.

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