The Most Iconic Movie Dresses of All Time

With every classic Hollywood film, there's the chance that you will spot a showstopping dress on a dazzling starlet. From Vanessa Bell Calloway's gold gown in Coming to America to Natalie's Wood's yellow number in West Side Story, we're breaking down all the cinematic sartorial choices that have gone from fan favorite to icon status.

Fay Wray's character might have been under distress in this scene, but the actress's white gown with a sweetheart neckline has been tied to the King Kong franchise ever since.

Hollywood's original blonde bombshell, Jean Harlow, was playing Kitty Packard in Dinner at Eight when she wore this caped silk slipdress and white fur stole, but it could have just as easily been worn by the starlet herself.

In a movie that costars Katharine Hepburn and a pet leopard, it's no surprise the star boldly opted for a showstopping gold lamé floor-length gown. She topped off the look with a sheer veil with gold borders that'll forever be associated with Bringing Up Baby.

Vivien Leigh wore a number of stunning outfits for her portrayal of Scarlett O'Hara in Gone with the Wind—who can forget the stunner made from Tara's curtains? Her emerald-green velvet dressing gown is one of the most striking ensembles in the film.

Ingrid Bergman was the epitome of '40s chic in Casablanca, but her casual white two-piece suit and diamond brooch is what stands out as most memorable. Oh, and the line, "Here's looking at you, kid." That too.

To play a 1940s pinup in Gilda, Rita Hayworth wore a strapless black satin gown with matching elbow-length gloves. The film launched Hayworth into the stratosphere, although the star always struggled with being compared to her sex-symbol character.

Elizabeth Taylor was known for her glamorous style, and the characters she played on-screen were no exception. For her climatic scene in A Place in the Sun with Montgomery Clift, the starlet stole the show in a strapless tulle ball gown with floral appliqué.

One of Marilyn Monroe's most famous looks (of many) was in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. During her rendition of "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend," the actress—dripping in diamonds, of course—rocked a hot-pink strapless evening gown with matching gloves.

When Audrey Hepburn's character in Sabrina returned to her childhood home as a stunning ingénue, she was outfitted with an entirely new couture wardrobe, including this striking embroidered black-and-white evening gown.

Grace Kelly's perfectly poised character in Alfred Hitchcock's Rear Window, socialite Lisa Carol Fremont, paraded through the film in a string of coiffed outfits. The showstopper was the evening gown designed by Edith Head. Black and white with a V-neck and capped sleeves, it cinched at the waist and gave way to a full tulle skirt.

For her role as the titular star in Carmen Jones, Dorothy Dandridge became the first African-American actress to earn an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress. More than 60 years later, we're still buzzing about the chic black-and-red ensemble she wore in the film.

We doubt The Seven Year Itch director Billy Wilder knew when he told Marilyn Monroe to pose on the subway grate that the image would become one of the most iconic in pop culture history. Monroe playfully worked with the upward breeze under her pleated white halter dress, and the movie went on to become a smashing success.

While portraying a wealthy heiress on vacation in the South of France, Grace Kelly managed to look the part in a white strapless chiffon evening gown and diamond necklace that we're sure no jewel thief could resist.

Leslie Caron oozed sophistication in the 1958 Academy Award–winning film Gigi. Caron's off-the-shoulder silk-and-feathered evening gown designed by Cecil Beaton captured the public's attention as much as the musical numbers did.

The simple yellow shift dress Natalie Wood wore as Maria in West Side Story is proof that an ensemble doesn't have to be elaborate to be memorable. The wardrobe piece has since become synonymous with the marriage of Maria and Tony.

The moment Audrey Hepburn traversed the screen in her black evening gown and pearls, the look became an instant classic. Although the Breakfast at Tiffany's star wore many noteworthy outfits in the film, it's this sophisticated combination that's most directly connected to her character, Holly Golightly.

There are so many things to note about Cleopatra—from Elizabeth Taylor's budding romance with costar Richard Burton to the film's elaborate set and overextended budget. But the one thing that is undeniable is the amazing wardrobe designed for Taylor, starting with the 24-karat gold headdress and cape she wore while arriving in Rome.

Another Audrey Hepburn–approved and Cecil Beaton–designed outfit that makes our list is Eliza Doolittle's frilly lace ensemble in My Fair Lady. From the high collar to the ribbon accents, we can hardly look at this dress from the musical without bursting out in song.

Although Julie Andrews's character, Fräulein Maria, receives a well-deserved makeover in the second half of the movie, her simple long-sleeve dress and striped apron remains a true classic.

In one of Sharon Tate's most memorable roles, the actress played sex symbol Jennifer North in Valley of the Dolls. She wore mostly nightgowns throughout the film, but the mint-hued printed maxi dress she wore for the film's promotional photo shoot is a standout look.

Diana Ross wore a sequence of gorgeous gowns while starring as aspiring fashion designer and model Tracy in Mahogany. But it's this silk peach-colored gown with embroidery and embellishments that still stands out all these years later.

Although this Princess Leia gown might be considered more costume than couture, with the draping fabric, billowing sleeves, and high neck, the Star Wars ensemble incorporates some of the biggest trends of the '70s—and it has rightfully earned a page in the pop culture history books.

It wasn't all poodle skirts and cardigans in Grease—Olivia Newton-John also wore a pale-yellow spaghetti-strap dress in the movie's famous hand jive dance sequence that we'd honestly still wear today.

Michelle Pfeiffer exudes glamour wearing various Halston-esque dresses while playing Elvira Hancock in Scarface. Her slinky, plunging-neckline teal evening gown is no exception. Designed by Patricia Norris, the minimalist look has served as inspiration for many fashion moments since the film premiered in 1983.

They rehearsed all summer long, and, boy, that final dance did not disappoint, although that light pink A-line dress—paired with Patrick Swayze's all-black getup—nearly stole the show. So, what'd we learn? 1) Nobody puts Baby in the corner, and 2) Baby's style choices are extremely underrated.

Vanessa Bell Calloway's entrance at the beginning of Coming to America as the intended wife in the arranged marriage with Eddie Murphy's character is unforgettable. Partly due to her downright regal evening gown made of black sheer paneling and gold embroidered lace.

There are too many fashion moments in Pretty Woman to count, so we'll just give credit where credit is due: to Vivian's most glam moment. The off-the-shoulder evening gown she wears to the opera is red hot.

Leave it to Whitney Houston to make a lasting impression just from wearing a simple black halter gown. Sure, the beaded accessories add to the effect, as well as the singer's mighty vocals, but the dress is the perfect juxtaposition to the high glam on display.

The dress Cher wore on her date with Christian in Clueless is on par with the decade's minimalist trend. The sheer white "jacket" she throws on over said dress is equally as stylish. Think it's, ahem, boring? As if!

Maybe it was the matching white suits from the final scene of First Wives Club that made such an impression, or perhaps it was the dance sequence. Whatever the case, the actresses' ensembles (pearls included!) will go down in history.

Rose's beaded formal evening gown looks just as stunning while dining in the formal state room as it does while dancing the jig in the lower hull. The movie's monumental success is only one of the reasons this dress is iconic.

From her scented rosy-hued résumés to her blushing head-to-toe outfits, Elle Woods is here to remind the masses that pink is always perfect. The hot-pink halter top dress she wears in her Harvard Law audition tape stands out, but honestly every outfit from this movie is memorable.

After being mistaken for a wealthy hotel guest, instead of a maid who works in the hotel, Jennifer Lopez's character dons a glamorous sweetheart neckline evening gown in a movie makeover for the ages.

With or without the Isadora Diamond—a piece that was designed by jeweler Harry Winston in real life—Kate Hudson's yellow satin evening gown is a stunner. Not only worn during the movie's climax, it was also featured on the film poster. The dress was designed by the film's costume designer Karen Patch and is instantly recognizable.

Throughout The Devil Wears Prada, we see Andrea Sachs transition from anti-fashion to the bon vivant who scored a pair of the new Chanel boots. But the outfit that stood out most from the movie (post-makeover, of course) is the black silk Valentino gown she wears to Runway's charity gala.

When Sofia Coppola set out to re-create the French aristocratic court of King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, she tapped Hollywood costume designer Milena Canonero to imagine the wardrobe of the controversial queen. Canonero, who won an Oscar for her work, amused the audience with a new extravagant ensemble in every scene—but none is more iconic than Marie Antoinette's opulent ball gown in this scene.

Dreamgirls was inspired by the story of The Supremes and their record label, Motown. Reflecting the style of the film's 1960s time frame, the group wears strapless mid-length mermaid dresses that have become just as synonymous with the film as with The Supremes.

More than a decade after Atonement was released, we still can't stop thinking about Keira Knightley's green dress, designed by Jacqueline Durran. The slinky '30s style and bright jewel tone evokes almost as much drama as the scene it was featured in.

More than three years after we left Carrie Bradshaw in Paris, Sarah Jessica Parker stepped back into her Manolo Blahniks to reprise her famous role. The film's opening outfit—a now-iconic contrasting mix of a green printed dress and jacket, topped off with a black spiked belt—did Bradshaw's unique style justice.

Similar to an outfit we saw in the Sex and the City series, Sarah Jessica Parker's newspaper-print dress (made by John Galliano) became a point of interest when she re-wore the piece for Sex and the City 2.

Constance Wu's character reignited our passion for Cinderella-style ball gowns when she wore a Marchesa tulle creation in the wedding scene of Crazy Rich Asians. The dress has since been donated by the designer to the Smithsonian for preservation.