Top 10 Most Iconic Marilyn Monroe Style Moments

#10: The Figure-Hugging Bikini from “Something’s Got to Give” (1962)

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While Marilyn was considered a pinup and sex symbol, first and foremost she was an icon for body positivity. A swimwear model in her early career, Marilyn celebrated her enviable figure and natural curves whenever she could. Whether she was posing for her “Miss Morale” photoshoot or revealing her hourglass silhouette on the set of “Something’s Got to Give”, Marilyn gave us plenty of swimsuit inspiration. Sadly, she was fired from the movie and it remained unfinished. It wasn’t until 1989 that the material was rediscovered and the following year, it was aired in a one-hour documentary, giving us another glimpse of this fashionista.

While the movie failed to make a lasting impression, the same can’t be said for this dress. Playing a dance hall singer named Kay, Marilyn wears a daring green and red velvety dress with a beguiling thigh-split that allowed her to move around the bar with ease. The outfit accentuates her covetable shape as she expertly maneuvers the material to tease her audience and keep them hanging onto her every word. It seems like one fan was particularly taken by this look as they reportedly successfully bid more than half a million dollars when it went up for auction in 2011.

Marilyn liked outfits that emphasised her figure, often opting for white dresses, halter necks and fitted waistlines. The dress she wore for the hand printing ceremony outside Grauman’s Chinese Theatre is certainly stunning, but there’s another polka dotted number that is simply breathtaking. In “The Seven Year Itch”, Marilyn enters in a flattering tailored dress paired with white gloves and her signature bold red lip, leaving her neighbor utterly yet understandably enchanted. This dress often lives in the shadow of another legendary white dress from the same movie, but it’s beautiful in its own right and deserves some recognition too.

Shortly after signing with 20th Century Fox, a fresh-faced early 20something Monroe posed for this photoshoot to show off her new look. Unlike most of the other outfits we’ve discussed so far, this one exudes a more youthful innocence. While it does still emphasize her slim waist, it’s more reserved than the style she would later become known for, perhaps reflecting a time of transition for the young star. The satin gown,with its floral embroidery and puffed sleeves, only serve to frame her natural beauty, while the demure silhouette allows her star quality to radiate around her.

This is an outfit we've probably all worn before: jeans and a white button-down. But somehow, Ms. Monroe takes this basic uniform and makes it into something so cool we can only aspire to look this put-together. Marilyn wasn't exactly famous for wearing pants, and when she did it was often a cropped trouser or cigarette pant. But in the movie "The Misfits” - her final completed film, in fact - her usually glitzy and glamorous style was notably more laidback and casual; a vibe exemplified by this combo - which is completed by cowboy boots and belt. Marilyn was a style icon and a tastemaker, and as such she was one of the first women to make denim fashion. With the added Storm Riders denim jacket by Lee, this low-key Levi's look became iconic and influential in its own right.

#5: The Silk Gown with the Fur Stole

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This entry takes us from the most casual to the most glamorous. Exemplifying the glitz and glamour of Hollywood’s golden era, Marilyn arrived at the premiere of the musical movie “Call Me Madam” in an outfit suitable for royalty. The sleeveless, silk figure-hugging gown with matching opera length gloves and fur stole was quite the showstopper. She wasn’t even in the movie and it’s hard not to think that all eyes were on her. Marilyn dressed like the icon we know her to be and if there were any doubts about her superstardom before, then this dress certainly put them to rest.

Although she only wore this dress in a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moment, we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to talk about it. Ginger Rogers wore a similar dress in the 1952 movie, “Dreamboat,” which may have inspired Marilyn’s look as she reportedly fell in love with the gown when she visited the set. The scene-stealing dress may have also awakened the green eyed monster in Joan Crawford, who allegedly called it “vulgar”. The plunging neckline, open back and gold pleats were considered daring at the time and barely made it past the censors. Of course, Marilyn didn’t make a name for herself by blending in with the crowd.

#3: The “Happy Birthday, Mr. President” Look

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Everything about this moment is cemented in cultural history, from the breathy vocals to the iconic location and of course, the dress designed by Jean Louis. The nude colored fabric was embroidered with 2,500 rhinestones and was so form fitting that she couldn’t wear anything underneath. Sadly, the day of this celebration, May 19, 1962, also marks one of Monroe’s final public appearances, as less than three months later she was found dead in her home. In 2016, the dress sold for a record breaking $4.8 million, surpassing the previous record that also belongs to this fashion icon for another dress that may or may not be on this list.

Considering how famous this dress became, it’s crazy to think that this was actually costume designer William Travilla’s plan B. After a scandal involving some nude photos she took pre-fame, Travilla was instructed to make a less revealing costume than the showgirl number he had initially planned. The strapless “shocking pink” dress with matching opera length gloves, oversized bow at the back and punctuated with diamond accessories, became a legendary addition to movie history. As well as becoming an icon of costume design, the look has been celebrated in popular culture and lovingly imitated by many, perhaps most famously by Madonna. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. The Simple Black Suit Marilyn Wore This Suit to Wed Joe DiMaggio The Thigh-Split Sequin-Embellished Dress from “Ladies of the Chorus” (1949) She Sported the Thigh-Split Look Before Today’s A-Listers Brought It Back Into Fashion The Dress She Wore to Sing to American Troops in Korea We Imagine She Brought Some Much Needed Sparkle The Cut-Out Magenta Dress from “Niagara” (1953) A Simple Frock That Shows Off Her Famous Figure The Showgirl Outfit from“Gentlemen Prefer Blondes” (1953) Effortlessly Bringing Some Glamor to the Movie

It’s hard to imagine a dress reaching higher levels of infamy than this one. In the movie, Monroe famously stands over a subway grate, allowing her white dress to blow upwards and expose her legs. While the style of the dress reflected the fashion of the era, the halterneck and close-fitting material are synonymous with Monroe’s personal style. In the ‘90s, it joined Debbie Reynolds private collection of Hollywood memorabilia before being auctioned off for the at-the-time record-breaking $4.6 million (plus $1 million commission) in 2011. This cocktail dress is responsible for one of the most famous and defining images of the 20th Century.