Kim Kardashian Faces Backlash Wearing Marilyn Monroe’s Gown and Clear Sky-High Heels at the Met Gala

The 2022 Met Gala delivered no shortage of jaw-dropping fashion moments as celebrities embraced the night’s “Gilded Glamour” theme with elaborate gowns and bold statements.

But one look stood out above the rest—and it started from the shoes up. Kim Kardashian paired Marilyn Monroe’s legendary 1962 gown with clear sky-high heels, a styling choice that made as many headlines as the dress itself, drawing both admiration and sharp criticism from fashion historians and Monroe devotees.

Kim Kardashian stuns in Marilyn Monroe’s iconic crystal-embellished nude gown, paired with a white fur stole and platform heels, at the 2022 Met Gala (Credit: PA IMAGES / INSTARimages)

More Star-Studded Met Gala Moments

If Kim’s headline-making Marilyn Monroe gown wasn’t enough, the 2022 Met Gala was filled with unforgettable fashion statements from other A-listers. Explore the standout looks below:

History of Marilyn Monroe’s Iconic Gown

The pop culture favorite and television personality certainly turned heads with her 2022 Met Gala appearance. The star wore one of the most iconic dresses in Hollywood history, Marilyn Monroe’s sparkly, beige number.

Marilyn Monroe, who stood around 5ft 5½ (166.4 cm) and reportedly wore a US shoe size 7, famously donned the gown while serenading President John F. Kennedy with “Happy Birthday” in 1962. Since 2016, the crystal-studded piece has been displayed at Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Museum in Orlando.

Marilyn Monroe, as “The Girl” in The Seven Year Itch (1955), immortalizes Hollywood glamour in her billowing white halter dress paired with classic peep-toe stiletto heels—one of cinema’s most unforgettable fashion moments (Credit: 20th Century-Fox)

Fashion Experts Criticize Kim Kardashian

This gorgeous gown has seemingly transitioned from being in pristine condition to being worn again, decades later. Experts in all things Marilyn are more than disappointed by the look being worn again.

Kim Kardashian stuns in the iconic Marilyn Monroe dress alongside Pete Davidson in a classic black suit at the 2022 Met Gala (Credit: ABACA / INSTARimages)

Kim lost weight in preparation to achieve the spectacular fit and only wore the dress for a short time on the red carpet; she later changed into a replica of the look to prevent any damage.

Adding fuel to the fire for those who aren’t impressed with the Kardashians’ choice is that this dress was worn on the 60th anniversary of Monroe’s death. She died of a barbiturate overdose on August 4, 1962.

Kim Kardashian wore Marilyn Monroe’s original dress for a few minutes and later changed into a replica (Credit: PA IMAGES / INSTARimages)

Marilyn Monroe Biographer Slams Kim’s Risky Red Carpet Choice

Michelle Morgan, the author of the 2018 book The Girl: Marilyn Monroe, the Seven Year Itch, and the Birth of an Unlikely Feminist (available on Amazon), commented to the New York Post, “I am extremely disappointed to see this 60-year-old, iconic dress being worn in public.”

The expert continued, explaining that this gown had been stored in temperature-controlled conditions to ensure the best possible preservation since it was acquired in an auction by Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Museum for $5 million.

However, the red carpet is a dangerous environment where any number of mishaps could have occurred. Morgan comments on her concerns about “sweat, perfume, and makeup” that could have caused irreversible damage to the dress.

12305 Fifth Helena Dr. in Brentwood, Los Angeles, California, is famous as the final residence of Marilyn Monroe and the location of her death in 1962 (Credit: WENN)

Preservation Concerns for Monroe’s Dress

Fashion historian Keren Ben-Horin expressed a similar concern, telling the Daily Beast that with the big steps Kim needed to take up the stairs, the dress could have easily torn or been stained.

“This is one of a kind, historical garment that should not leave the museum. For conservators, there are a lot of things they consider even before they even take any action to restore the dress. Sometimes they might even leave sweat stains in, because it’s part of the integrity of the dress,” the fashion historian argued

“Once a dress like that gets on the body, the body sweats, there is makeup,” Ben-Horin added. “You could see that when Kim Kardashian was going up the stairs, it was very hard for her to take big steps. The dress could have easily stained or ripped, and I think it was an unethical choice on their part to let the dress leave the museum.”.

Becoming the most expensive dress sold at auction when it was purchased for over $5 million in 2016, Marilyn Monroe’s famous dress is exhibited at Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Museum in Orlando, Florida (Credit: JHVEPhoto / Shutterstock)

Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Defends Kim

Of course, the museum responsible for the dress considered several factors, with a representative of Ripley’s saying that Kardashian had demonstrated her “utmost respect” for the dress.

The spokesperson continued to defend Kim Kardashian, reassuring that the dress, despite the possibilities, has remained unharmed, undamaged, and unscathed.

The television star had to follow several guidelines, from a lack of body makeup to her short-lived appearance in the gown.

Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Museum stated that Kim Kardashian had conducted “extensive research” into the historic gown, taking measures to ensure it was carefully protected and properly cared for during her brief time wearing it.

Kim Kardashian, glowing in Marilyn Monroe’s crystal-embellished gown, shares a red carpet moment with then-boyfriend Pete Davidson at the 2022 Met Gala (Credit: PA IMAGES / INSTARimages)

Fan Reactions to the Dress Debate

Nina Boski, the producer of the podcast and documentary television series Marilyn: Behind the Icon, described Kardashian’s look as “not a positive remembrance of the star.”

“I can understand why Kim would want to wear the dress for publicity purposes; however, the dress should have only been worn by one person, and that is the iconic Marilyn Monroe,” Boski said.

Kim Kardashian, in the iconic Marilyn Monroe dress, gracefully ascends the steps of the 2022 Met Gala as Pete Davidson offers a helping hand (Credit: ABACA / INSTARimages)

Scott Fortner, a Marilyn Monroe historian and collector, described the dress as “sacred.”

“Kim did break the internet [with her look] and it was an opportunity for her and Ripley’s,” Fortner said. “[But] the fans are outraged because it is one of those things in the Marilyn community that is considered sacred. The dress is the quintessential Marilyn Monroe item and it was worn one time by her.”

Kim Kardashian and Pete Davidson hold hands while arriving back at their Ritz-Carlton Hotel after attending the Met Gala in New York City (Credit: MEGA / WENN)

Kim Kardashian Honors Marilyn Monroe

Kim Kardashian is an incredibly influential figure, so her wearing the gown has, in some manner, reintroduced Marilyn Monroe to the younger generations, keeping her iconic looks alive and continuing her legacy through the Met Gala.

However, many believe the gown should have remained exclusive to Monroe’s singular, history-making performance, where it was both unveiled and retired in one unforgettable moment.

Kim Kardashian reportedly couldn’t zip up her Marilyn Monroe dress and covered up with a fur shawl (Credit: MEGA / WENN)

Fortner emphasized during his comments that “this has nothing to do with Kim Kardashian” but rather with the importance and significance of the dress in what he calls “American cultural history.”

The Keeping Up With the Kardashians star opted for the Monroe look because the gilded glamour theme inspired her to look for American beauty icons. Kardashian said that Marilyn Monroe was the “most American” thing she could think of.

The Met Gala look cemented Kim’s status as a fashion icon who isn’t afraid to push boundaries. This bold approach to style, particularly her use of strategic footwear, has been a hallmark of her career for over a decade.

Nearly a decade earlier, Kim and her mother, Kris Jenner, had already highlighted their signature flair with chic Yves Saint Laurent heels—another example of how the Kardashian-Jenner duo consistently shape fashion conversations.

Kim Kardashian and Kris Jenner’s YSL Shoe Moments

Kris Jenner pairs black YSL ankle-cuff pumps with a tailored black suit, while Kim Kardashian complements her red Valentino lace dress with nude YSL patent leather heels (Credit: WENN)

Like mother, like daughter! In April 2013, Kim Kardashian and Kris Jenner wore two shoe styles from Yves Saint Laurent.

Kris Jenner paid a visit to the Guy Hepner Gallery in West Hollywood on April 11, 2013 (Credit: WENN)

Kris wore YSL black pumps with ankle cuffs on a day out with Kendall Jenner. Looking like a professional mom-ager, she paired the shoes with a black suit.

Kris Jenner keeps it sleek in a tailored black suit with chain-detail sleeves, finishing the look with ankle-cuff YSL pumps that add edge and polish to her classic mom-ager style

For her solo meet-and-greet at Kardashian Khaos in The Mirage, the mom-to-be chose nude YSL patent pumps with a gleaming metal heel—proof that skin-colored stilettos blur the ankle line, lengthen the leg, and add flattering height in photos.

Kim Kardashian with classic red lipstick at the Kardashian Khaos store at The Mirage Hotel & Casino

That’s fitting because she looked glam, pairing her YSL heels with a bright red lace Valentino dress.

Kim Kardashian in a red Valentino macramé lace dress

Kim Kardashian holds a bottle of her Glam by Kim Kardashian floral fruity fragrance for women

Kim Kardashian makes her second solo appearance at ‘Kardashian Khaos’ at The Mirage for a fan meet-and-greet opportunity supporting her perfume ‘Glam’ in Las Vegas on April 13, 2013 (Credit: WENN)

Kim Kardashian shows off her feet in beige YSL heels, with the nude tone and pointed toe creating a seamless, leg-lengthening effect that flatters her petite frame

From her historic choice at the Met Gala to her signature style at a fan meet-and-greet, Kim Kardashian’s strategic use of fashion, particularly her footwear, consistently makes headlines.

Her ability to use shoes to elevate her petite frame and create memorable looks has been a defining element of her career for years. Here are some of her most iconic shoe moments.

Kim Kardashian’s Iconic Shoe Moments

Standing at 5’2″ (157.5 cm) and wearing a US shoe size 7, Kim Kardashian masterfully uses footwear to enhance her stature and make bold fashion statements. Here are some of her most memorable shoe moments:

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West dazzle in matching silver ensembles at the 2016 Met Gala, embodying the night’s “Manus x Machina” theme (Credit: Sky Cinema / Shutterstock)