From Screen to Style: 11 Iconic Movie Dresses Everyone Remembers

From Audrey Hepburn’s timeless LBD to Keira Knightley’s emerald Atonement gown, these unforgettable movie dresses continue to inspire red carpets and closets alike. We break down the iconic looks, who designed them, and what shoes completed the ensemble.

From the dancing Lorelei Lee to a bright-eyed Cher off on a date, these dresses are iconic and currently wearable.

1. The Quintessential LBD: Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s

Audrey Hepburn popularized the little black dress, or LBD, in her 1961 film Breakfast at Tiffany’s. The dress, originally made by Givenchy, has become one of the most recognizable silhouettes in fashion.

While most iconic movie dress moments happen midway through or at the finale, trust Holly Golightly to break the mold—debuting her unforgettable black dress right in the opening credits.

Audrey Hepburn epitomizes timeless elegance as Holly Golightly in a sleek black Givenchy gown, opera gloves, a sparkling tiara, and her signature cigarette holder (Credit: Paramount Pictures)

Givenchy designed all the black shift dresses for the movie, but costume designer Edith Head redesigned the lower half because it showed too much leg.

Audrey Hepburn opens Breakfast at Tiffany’s in her legendary black Givenchy column gown, layered pearl necklace, tiara, opera gloves, and black kitten-heel pumps by René Mancini—setting the standard for cinematic elegance (Credit: Paramount Pictures)

Paired with Givenchy’s black patent kitten-heel pumps by René Mancini, Holly Golightly’s LBD ensemble in the opening credits exudes effortless chic. The low heels offer a timeless touch still coveted today.

Audrey Hepburn’s Holly Golightly completes her iconic little black dress with black patent leather kitten-heel pumps by René Mancini, perfectly balancing elegance and ease (Credit: Paramount Pictures)

2. Marilyn Monroe’s Breathtaking White Halter: The Seven Year Itch

While Audrey Hepburn is known for her classy style, Marilyn Monroe is popular for being a bombshell.

Bruno Bernard’s iconic black-and-white photo captures Marilyn Monroe in her billowing halter dress and strappy white stiletto sandals on the set of The Seven Year Itch, blending timeless glamour with playful sensuality (Credit: 20th Century-Fox)

Marilyn Monroe wore a curve-hugging halter dress with a breezy, flowing silhouette in The Seven Year Itch—a look that became one of the most iconic and enduring fashion moments in cinema history.

The movie’s costume designer, William Travilla, made her dress. Travilla designed costumes for Marilyn Monroe in eight of her films.

Marilyn Monroe’s billowing white halter dress is completed with Salvatore Ferragamo’s strappy white stiletto sandals, adding a touch of playful sensuality to her iconic subway grate moment, a look that inspires modern eveningwear.

3. Julia Roberts’ Stunning Red Opera Gown: Pretty Woman

Julia Roberts’ outfits in Pretty Woman were pretty unforgettable, but her standout look was the red opera dress that made our jaws drop.

The red shoulder-baring gown by Marilyn Vance features some dramatic draping and a fantastic look with long white gloves.

Julia Roberts as Vivian Ward in the beautiful red dress by Marilyn Vance (Credit: Buena Vista Pictures Distribution)

According to costume designer Marilyn Vance, this iconic dress was almost made in black. Still, she persuaded the studio to go with her original red dress idea, perfect for Vivian.

During a pivotal scene in the movie, Vivian (Julia Roberts) wears the striking, off-the-shoulder, knee-length red dress, where she attends a fancy dinner at the Beverly Hills hotel with her client and love interest, Richard Gere.

Julia Roberts’s red gown was designed by film costume designer Marilyn Vance (Credit: Buena Vista Pictures Distribution)

4. Dorothy’s Gingham Dress Adventure: The Wizard of Oz

Who could forget the girl from Kansas who got whisked away to Oz for an unforgettable adventure?

Throughout her journey, Dorothy (played by Judy Garland) wore a blue-and-white gingham dress accessorized with a straw basket and those ruby slippers, of course!

Designed by Adrian Adolph Greenberg and praised for its simplicity, Dorothy wears the iconic blue and white gingham dress throughout the movie.

Judy Garland’s iconic blue gingham apron and shirt costume in The Wizard of Oz (Credit: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer)

The iconic blue dress became the world’s most expensive film costume, selling at an auction in 2015 for a whopping $1.2 million!

5. Molly Ringwald’s Prom Dress Reinvention: Pretty in Pink

Molly Ringwald’s prom dress in Pretty in Pink may not be as appealing to today’s modern women, but this kitschy DIY dress was an integral part of every ’80s girl’s wardrobe.

Molly Ringwald’s character, Andie, makes a bold DIY fashion statement in Pretty in Pink with her iconic off-shoulder, puffy-sleeved pink polka dot prom dress, crafted from vintage pieces (Credit: Paramount Pictures)

Famed costume designer Marilyn Vance created the quirky, off-shoulder, polka-dotted number.

6. Keira Knightley’s Emerald Elegance: Atonement

It was the 1940s, and war was imminent, so this jewel green dress by Jacqueline Durran was certainly unexpected. We especially love its dramatic back and that artsy draping on the front.

Many consider Keira Knightley’s stunning green dress the best costume of all time (Credit: Universal Pictures)

Dubbed the “best costume of all time,” Keira Knightley’s emerald green dress from Atonement has received major praise, and for good reason.

Costume designer Jacqueline Durran created the famous floor-length evening gown from scratch. It features rich silk fabric, a sexy V-neckline, and a flowy skirt.

Keira Knightley stuns as Cecilia in Atonement, wearing Jacqueline Durran’s now-legendary emerald green gown paired with delicate nude peep-toe heels that echo the dress’s fluid elegance (Credit: Universal Pictures)

7. Sharon Stone’s Defining White Dress: Basic Instinct

Sharon Stone’s skimpy white dress was perhaps the hottest dress of the ’90s, thanks to that unforgettable and explicit interrogation scene in Basic Instinct, which no one will ever forget.

Sharon Stone in a sexy white dress while interrogated by cops (Credit: TriStar Pictures)

The dress was skimpy and straightforward, perfect for showing Stone’s perfect legs. Designed by Sharon Stone and American costume designer Ellen Mirojnick, the actress kept the dress and the rest of her wardrobe from the film.

“The costume designer, Ellen Mirojnick, took me to Rodeo Drive and said, ‘You can pick out any one thing that you want for your character,’” Sharon Stone wrote in Instyle.

“We decided to go for all white because my character had a very Hitchcockian vibe. But Ellen designed the dress so that I could sit like a man if he was being interrogated,” Stone continued. “It gave me the ability to move my arms and legs, take up space, and exercise control over a room full of men.”

“The movie was a thriller and we were stopping the action to watch me sit still in a chair, so I thought the possibility of anybody giving two s—ts about it was zero.”

Sharon Stone stuns in her self-styled white turtleneck mini dress and matching slingback stilettos during the infamous interrogation scene in Basic Instinct, where fashion met fearless attitude (Credit: TriStar Pictures)

“I put in my contract that I could keep the clothes,” she said. “People thought I was crazy, but the truth is I wasn’t getting paid much compared to my male co-star. I made $500,000; Michael made $14 million. So keeping my costumes was a really smart thing to do.”

“It was zipped up in a garment bag on the set, and it has never been opened since. I broke the zipper, so it’s hermetically sealed like a piece of art or a very cool time capsule,” Stone wrote about the white dress.

8. Cher’s Calvin Klein Moment: Clueless

Cher’s whole wardrobe in Clueless was every ’90s girl’s dream, including her very helpful virtual wardrobe app and revolving closet.

Considered a major fashion moment of the 90s and an inspiration for many fashion enthusiasts, the itty-bitty white slip dress worn by Alicia Silverstone’s character Cher Horowitz has become iconic (Credit: Paramount Pictures)

One of the most unforgettable outfits from the movie is Cher’s white Calvin Klein dress — the ultimate slipdress of the Clueless generation.

The film’s costume design by Mona May is considered one of the best of its time. Its depiction of 90s high school fashion has created a new fashion trend.

The Clueless cast channels peak ’90s fashion in this playful promo shot, with Alicia Silverstone, Stacey Dash, and Brittany Murphy rocking platform Mary Janes, strappy heels, and pastel mini dresses that defined an era (Credit: Paramount Pictures)

9. The Yellow Gown Bet: How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days

Most movies are based on a bet, but this one is a cut, color, and carat above the rest.

Kate Hudson as Andie Anderson in the gorgeous yellow gown by fashion designer Dina Bar-el (Credit: Paramount Pictures)

The yellow gown that Andie wore to the Warner Advertising Gala was designed by Dina Bar-el around the 84-carat yellow diamond pendant “Isadora” by Harry Winston.

Kate Hudson dazzles as Andie Anderson in How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, wearing a silky yellow slip gown by Dina Bar-el paired with strappy metallic heels and a white satin clutch for a showstopping entrance

10. Lorelei Lee’s Pink Glamour: Gentlemen Prefer Blondes

The shocking pink strapless gown of Lorelei Lee by costume designer William Travilla has gained much acclaim through its famous model, Marilyn Monroe. Feel like singing about how diamonds are a girl’s best friend?

Not only is her iconic pink strapless dress considered one of the most iconic and memorable costumes in film history, but the song “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend,” sung by Monroe in the movie, has been covered by many artists over the years.

The 1953 musical comedy film”Gentlemen Prefer Blondes” is well known for Monroe’s portrayal of Lorelei Lee, a blonde showgirl, and her iconic pink strapless dress designed by William Travilla (Credit: 20th Century Fox)

11. Winona Ryder’s Grunge Chic: Reality Bites

Grunge is at its height, with floral dresses and chunky Mary Janes.

Winona Ryder channels effortless ’90s grunge-meets-romance in Reality Bites, wearing an off-white crochet dress paired with black Mary Jane heels for a look that’s both youthful and quietly rebellious (Credit: Universal Pictures)

Amidst her anti-consumerism rants and struggle to be somebody by age 23, Lelaina Pierce emerges cool and collected for her documentary premiere in this off-white crochet dress.

Winona Ryder starred opposite Ethan Hawke in the film and would later co-star with Ethan Hawke’s daughter, Maya Hawke, on the Netflix series Stranger Things.

Winona Ryder wears an iconic dress in the role of Lelaina Pierce, a recent college graduate who is trying to make it as a filmmaker (Credit: Universal Pictures)

In your opinion, what’s the most iconic movie fashion moment of all time?

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