A History of Marilyn Monroe and Her Most Iconic Dresses | Lulus

Marilyn Monroe was born Norma Jeane Mortenson in 1926. Over the course of her short life (Monroe died at age thirty-six in 1962), Monroe became one of the celebrated beauties of the twentieth century and an enduring Hollywood legend whose legacy has transcended the mid-century milieu that made her a celebrity. Monroe was an actress who took her craft very seriously. She spent time studying under Lee Strasberg at the Actors Studio in New York. Her tragic struggles in both her personal and professional lives continue to fascinate generation after generation of fans. Her style also continues to inspire new generations, like when influencer, Kim Kardashian chose to wear one of Monroe’s iconic vintage gowns to the Met Gala.

Marilyn Monroe – Fashion and Pop Icon

The basics of Marilyn Monroe’s look were simple. She based almost every look she wore in public on her glossy platinum blonde tresses, flawlessly applied red lipstick, and her body type. She was curvy and she chose to dress in a way that accentuated her hourglass shape. Monroe always woredresses. They never wore her. She forged a template for public appearances by wearing evening gowns that remain en vogue with actresses, trendsetters, and brides even today. The cinched in waist, strapless neckline, and the aura of confidence is a classic aesthetic today thanks to Monroe.

The “Happy Birthday, Mr. President” Dress

Bob Mackie designed the sheer beige dress when he was only 23. The dress helped the young designer become a legend. The dress required more than two thousand hand-sewn crystals and was made to fit Marilyn Monroe flawlessly. The dress was so form-fitting that the actress had to be sewn into to wear it. Monroe wore the dress when she sang Happy Birthday at Madison Square Garden to then-President John F. Kennedy.

The Sparkly Purple Spaghetti Strap Gown, Worn for the Live Shows for the 25th Marine Division in Korea in 1954

Monroe interrupted her honeymoon with baseball slugger Joe DiMaggio to perform for U.S. soldiers in Korea. Monroe wore a spaghetti strap evening gown made out of iridescent purple fabric. The dress had been chosen as part of her honeymoon wardrobe.

TheDiamonds Are a Girl’s Best FriendPink Dress

Marilyn Monroe descending a red-carpeted staircase wearing a figure-hugging bright pink dress is one of the defining images of the mid-twentieth century. Designer William Travilla made the dress out of French candy-pink peau d’ange silk overlayed over heavy felt to give the dress structure. The opera-length gloves were made out of the same pink silk.

TheGentlemen Prefer BlondesGold Halter Dress

William Travilla also designed the minimalist gold lamé halter dress Monroe wore inGentleman Prefer Blondes.The dress, with its deep plunging neckline and an open back that descended into sunburst pleats, fit so exactly that Monroe had to be sewn into the dress each time she wore it.

The Cherry Dress inThe Misfits

Monroe’s final film was the western,The Misfits. Her costumes in this movie are quite different from her usual look but are no less iconic. For example, Monroe’s denim looks continue to inspire designers and fashionistas today. However, it’s the cherry print wiggle dress she wears in the movie that’s one of her most copied looks.

There’s No Business Like Show BusinessPremiere Dress

Marilyn Monroe chose to wear a belted strapless dress to the premiere ofThere’s No Business Like Show Business.She wore a dress in this same silhouette in the movie. For the premiere, though, she changed things up by adding a fur stole.

Marilyn’s Dress in Milton Greene’s Ballerina Sitting Series in 1954

Monroe and Milton Green worked together often. Altogether, he took over fifty pictures of the actress. However, the most celebrated are the series of Ballerina Sitting photos he took of Marilyn in 1954.Timenamed one shot of the series, where Monroe is wearing awhite dressmade of satin and tulle designed by Herbert Kasper, as one of the three best photographs taken in the twentieth century.

The White Halter Dress fromThe Seven Year Itch

One of the most iconic images of the 1950s is of Marilyn Monroe pushing down the front of her floaty white dress when a breeze blows up from the subway grate she is standing on. In preparation for shooting the scene, Monroe put on two pairs of panties to protect her privacy since her dress was going to be blown up on a New York street where the movie was shot on location. Her costar in the film, Debbie Reynolds, later bought the famous dress for $200. She sold it in 2011 for more than four million dollars.

Additional Reading on Marilyn Monroe

A History of Marilyn Monroe and Her Most Iconic Dresses | Lulus - Lulus.com Fashion Blog (2024)

References