The glamorous world of the A-list elite comes complete with buckets of glitz and glam. When it comes to their wardrobes, no expense is spared to look like a million dollars. An outfit can speak a thousand words and has the potential to be remembered for decades afterward. In some cases, celebrities are only as good as the clothes they wear.
From Jackie O’s timeless style to Geri Halliwell’s in-your-face outfits, we’ve compiled a list of the most iconic dresses of all time. How many do you recognize?
Jackie O’s Inauguration Coat Dress
Former First Lady Jackie O was synonymous with fashion. No one oozed sophisticated glamor like Mrs. Kennedy. Her signature style and penchant for suit dresses would cement her as an icon for many years to come. Among her favorite designers (including Chanel and Givenchy) was Oleg Cassini, who had the honor of specially designing several of Jackie’s most iconic looks.
For her husband’s inauguration into the White House, Jackie entrusted Cassini to dress her – and he didn’t disappoint. The simple yet elegant wool coat dress was topped with a Halston pillbox hat and elbow-length gloves, both items that would become staples of Jackie’s White House wardrobe.
Marilyn Monroe’s White Dress
Marilyn Monroe had so many iconic looks that it’s almost impossible to choose the best of the bunch, but the white dress she wore in 1955’s The Seven Year Itchmay be the most infamous. Designed by costume designer William Travilla, the white pleated number was specifically made to be light enough for the wind from the subway grate to blow it up.
At the time of filming, the scene was considered quite risque. It’s rumored that Marilyn’s then husband Joe DiMaggio was so enraged by it – and the fact that it was filmed in public – that it led to the demise of their marriage.
Geri Halliwell’s Union Jack Mini-Dress
When it comes to 90’s fashion, no one was bolder in their choices than the Spice Girls. All five members had their own distinctive styles, but Geri Halliwell (aka Ginger Spice) was the one who really pushed the envelope. The outspoken redhead made jaws drop with the breathtakingly short Union Jack mini-dress she wore to the 1997 Brit Awards.
Incredibly, the dress was originally a simple black Gucci number given to Geri by stylists. The pop star thought it was too boring so asked her sister to sew a Union Jack tea towel to the front of it and a peace symbol on the back.
Beyonce’s 2015 Met Gala Spectacular
When it comes to looking fierce, no one does it better than Queen Bey herself. Notorious for her risque choices that are always praised, Beyonce always finds a place on the best-dressed lists. The Met Gala is the perfect excuse for the A-list elite to push the boat out, so it was no surprise when Bey turned up in all her bejeweled glory in 2015.
The artistis a massive fan of Givenchy when it comes to her Met Gala outfits, and although she didn’t make an appearance at the event this year, we’d put money on her wearing the big G on her next outing, too.
Vivien Leigh’s Red Gown
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1939’s Gone With the Wind is perhaps Vivien Leigh’s most famous role. The story follows Scarlett O’Hara as she navigates life after the war, moving on from her home on a plantation to various romantic entanglements with important men. In one scene, she is forced by her husband Rhett to go to a party, and he demands she wear the red ball gown.
The dress was created by costume designer Walter Plunkett, who went to great lengths to reproduce period authentic clothing to enhance the movie. Plunkett met with women whose parents lived through the time span portrayed in the film and was able to see examples of similar dresses.
Audrey Hepburn’s Breakfast at Tiffany’sLBD
Audrey Hepburn always looked her best. Similar in style to Jackie O, Hepburn was adored by designers who wanted her to wear their latest creations. The 1961 movieBreakfast at Tiffany’s threw up the perfect role for the demure young actress, who was cast as the socialite and fashionista Holly Golightly.
In the opening sequence of the movie, Golightly is shown eating her breakfast in front of the Tiffany store window, wearing a beautifully cut little black dress designed by Hubert de Givenchy. The outfit became one of Audrey’s most famous wares, and is frequently discussed as one of her staple looks.
Princess Diana’s Wedding Gown
The wedding of Prince Charles to Lady Diana Spencer in 1981 was watched by 750 million people globally. The hotly anticipated nuptials were covered meticulously by the media in the build up to the big day, with a lot of the speculation centering on Diana’s dress.
Designers David and Elizabeth Emanuel worked tirelessly to make the gown something that would “go down in history”, coming up with an ivory silk taffeta and antique lace creation, with a 25-foot train and a 153-yard tulle veil. After the big day, the masterpiece was donated to the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Sharon Stone’s Turtleneck
Basic Instinct did well at the box office, largely due to Sharon Stone’s formidable presence. The striking beauty gave a commanding performance in the film noir, which was made famous largely for one particular scene. During the sequence where Sharon is being interrogated, she wears a simple turtleneck dress that’s just as striking as her chiseled features.
Lesser-known designer Ellen Mirojnick is responsible for the angelic outfit, though it’s highly likely she didn’t realize how much of an impact her creation would have on audiences. Of course, the movie is famous for Sharon uncrossing her legs sans-underwear to throw off the officers, but it’s as much about what she is wearing as what she isn’t.
Sarah Jessica Parker’s Sex and the City Tutu
Sex and the City was all about the life and times of tireless fashionista and columnist, Carrie Bradshaw. Viewers loved the show for its frank attitude toward the lives of single women, but were equally as taken with the variety of outfits that Carrie wore. Never afraid to try something avant-garde, the character flipped the script on everyday fashion.
Though Carrie had dozens of iconic outfits, the tutu-top dress combo she wears in the title sequence became so closely intertwined with the character that it’s lovingly referenced in the first movie. The outfit was sourced by SATC‘s longtime costume designer Patricia Field, who found the skirt in a showroom bin for just $5.
Jennifer Grey’s Baby Pink Skater
Dirty Dancing is the ultimate modern twist on Romeo and Juliet, with Patrick Swayze’s misunderstood bad boy falling head over heels for Jennifer Grey’s innocent teen. The movie created several important looks, from Swayze’s simplistic all-black ensembles to Grey’s denim shorts and tank tops, but one dress stood head and shoulders above the rest.
In the final dance number, Johnny plucks Baby from her table and performs the effortless lift, while she stuns in a baby pink skater dress designed by costume coordinator Hilary Rosenfeld. Baby’s outfits play an important part in the development of her character, going from the girl in the corner to the girl in the spotlight.
Kate Middleton’s Wedding Dress
Fewer wedding outfits create more buzz than a royal one, and that was definitely the case when Kate Middleton married Prince William in 2011. Kate’s gorgeous ivory dress was kept a guarded secret until she stepped out of the car at Westminster Palace. Only then were media reporters allowed to discuss the details with the public.
The stunning gown was designed by Sarah Burton, the chief creative director of Alexander McQueen. The form-fitting dress had a huge impact on bridal trends in the coming years, with other fashion houses mimicking the style at a more affordable level for the average Jane.
Liz Hurley’s Safety Pin Dress
Back in the early 90’s, Liz Hurley first came to prominence as the girlfriend of popular British actor Hugh Grant. She caught the eye of the media when she accompanied him to the charity premiere of Four Weddings and a Funeral. The barely-there outfit was a Versace creation, held together by gold safety pins.
The outfit became so famous that some hail it as Versace’s best-known work, saying it is largely responsible for launching the career of the actress. These days, it’s usually referred to as “THAT dress”, which really says it all. Who needs words when you’ve got a LBD like that?
