The Most Iconic White Dresses in Hollywood Movies

From Sharon Stone to Marilyn Monroe, Hollywood actresses have made white dresses unforgettable. Here, I made a list of the most iconic white dresses from the movies! You know what I’m talking about. The most iconic white dresses aren’t just sexy. They are what we can wear to a Halloween party as a costume! The most iconic white dresses are what we love to look at again and again, and never forget!

Spring-Summer is a time to celebrate the white dresses – mini-dresses, cocktail, lace, crochet – we feel like wearing them all time – while holding a glass of martini and donning a sexy pair of sunglasses, pairing them with our hottest accessories.

And to celebrate this eternally fashionable color, I made a list of the 15 most iconic white dresses from Hollywood movies. Be prepared to feast your eyes on these beautiful, unforgettable outfits…

1. Marilyn Monroe in The Seven Year Itch

If we have to make a list of iconic white dresses from Hollywood, Marilyn Monroe’s halter dress from the 1955 film deserves to be at the top. Not only did it go on to become way more famous than the movie, it became the most iconic look of the actress herself.

Copied and redone by celebrities, Halloween costumes, and Circa Brides for a vintage 1950s bridal dress, this dress also the inspiration for collections like Moschino Spring/Summer 2017. It also made it to a 26-feet tall statue called Forever Marilyn that was recently displayed in Chicago, and has its own Wikipedia page. Plus it was gorgeously sexy, and was recently auctioned in 2011 for $5.6 million.

marilyn_monroe_famous_white_dress_hollywood_iconic_halter_actress_seven_year_itch_1955
forever_marilyn_monroe_statue_sculpture_chicago_tribune_pioneer_court_magnificent_mile_white_dress_night
moschino-spring-summer-2017-ss17-collection-47-marilyn-monroe-dress-white

2. Sharon Stone in Basic Instinct

Who can ever forget the plain mini white dress Sharon Stone wore in the movie Basic Instinct? It created controversies and the most famous leg-cross scene, and it made Sharon Stone an internationally recognized icon. This outfit has inspired countless memes and gags. Of course Sharon’s minimalist effortlessly sexy look, paired with her confident character in the film is very hot.

most_iconic_hollywood_white_dress_movie_actress_sharon_stone_basic_instinct_short_tramell

3. Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s

I love this Greek-inspired one-shoulder gown that Audrey’s character, Holly Golightly, wore in Breakfast at Tiffany’s, draped almost like a saree, and accessorized with just black earrings. It’s very glamorous and unforgettable, especially when you pair it with her updo and long cigarette holder.

most_iconic_hollywood_white_dress_movie_actress_breakfast_at_tiffanys_audrey_hepburn_gown
audrey_hepburn_breakfast_at_tiffanys_party_white_dress_scene

4. Sarah Jessica Parker in Sex and the City (1)

Carrie Bradshaw’s fashion sense in the TV series and films Sex and the City has always been undeniable. While I can point out countless outfits worn by Carrie that can be called iconic, her white dresses in each of the two movies are absolutely famous. Sex and the City (1) has her iconic flower dress, very Carrie, taking inspiration by the series that has Carrie wearing flower pins on tops and tanks. This dress that was worn with black peep-toes, a yellow clutch and Barney’s New York shopping bags, inspired many replicas. Very chic.

most_iconic_hollywood_white_dress_movie_actress_carrie_bradshaw_sex_and_the_city_sarah_jessica_parker_flower_gold
sex_and_the_city_carrie_bradshaw_fashion_style_satc_relatable_big_flower_pin_romantic_aww_girl_love_hollywood_movie_car_guy_flick_chick_flick

5. Kate Winslet in Titanic

Rose’s heaven dress, as they call it, in Titanic was a white version of her iconic red and black dinner/dance dress. She wore the gorgeous crystal gown in the sad tear-jerking climax scene. And I didn’t think it was as popular as that red/black dress, until I googled it, and saw that it has inspired numerous replicas, cakes and a doll.

most_iconic_hollywood_white_dress_movie_actress_titanic_kate_winslet_rose_heaven_gown_crystal_climax_last_scene


most_iconic_hollywood_white_dress_movie_actress_titanic_kate_winslet_rose_heaven_gown_crystal_real_doll_copy_replica  most_iconic_hollywood_white_dress_movie_actress_titanic_kate_winslet_rose_heaven_gown_crystal_real_wedding_copy_replica

6. Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman

The designer white buttoned dress Julia Roberts’s character, Vivan wore in Pretty Woman may not be as iconic as her red dress or hooker dress from that movie, but is elegant enough. Plus it features in a shopping scene, that is every girl’s dream – who wouldn’t want unlimited money solely to shop expensive designer-wear? And I love the way Vivian pairs it with a black hat and white gloves for a newly polished look. Not to mention she looks utterly and innocently happy with all those shopping bags!

most_iconic_hollywood_white_dress_movie_actress_julia_roberts_pretty_woman
most_iconic_hollywood_white_dress_movie_actress_julia_roberts_pretty_woman_1

7. Alicia Silverstone in Clueless

Of course, who can forget Cher’s style in the classic 90s chick-flick Clueless. She donned many iconic looks, including a red number with a scarlet-black coat, a yellow plaid outfit and more, all of which have inspired Halloween costumes, celeb outfits and even runway designs. But her most iconic dress in the movie was a figure-hugging white mini-dress by Calvin Klein. Cher wore it to a date with her classmate/crush, and we’d still wear it to any date even today. The scene in which Cher tries to reason with her dad about it actually being “a dress” is hilarious and unforgettable in itself! So whether you prefer the dress as it is or with the chic sheer overshirt she throws on it later is your choice, but you can’t deny it’s very remarkable!

cher-white-dress- clueless
cher-white-dress

8. Audrey Hepburn in Sabrina

Audrey Hepburn wore a white high-low organza gown in the 1954 film Sabrina, which later became so famous it’s known as the “Sabrina dress”. The dress was designed by Hubert de Givenchy, who also designed the iconic black dress she wore in Breakfast at Tiffany’s. He was even nominated for Oscars for the Paris wardrobe in the film. In fact, the Sabrina dress is what is said to have started the designer-muse relationship between him and the actress.

At the above-mentioned auction, this dress was also sold along with Audrey’s below gown for $3.7 million. Joe Maddalena, the president of the auction-house said, “It really is one of the four or five most famous dresses in cinema history, and we almost missed it.” The gown with black floral embroidery also seems to have inspired Anne Hathaway’s gown in the climax of Princes Diaries.

audrey hepburn the sabrina gown

9. Audrey Hepburn in My Fair Lady

Eliza Doolittle in the musical film My Fair Lady, played by Audrey, wore lots of white in the film (plus the biggest hats). Her period look featuring a white beaded ballroom gown described by Audrey as an ‘absolutely divine dress’, was worn with long white gloves, diamond big necklace and a tiara. And this dress seems like what would later inspire the costumes of The Great Gatsby.

most_iconic_hollywood_white_dress_movie_actress_audrey_hepburn_gown_beaded_ballroom_crystal_my_fair_lady_1
most_iconic_hollywood_white_dress_movie_actress_audrey_hepburn_gown_beaded_ballroom_crystal_my_fair_lady

10. Cameron Diaz in The Mask

The dress Cameron Diaz’s character Tina wore at her nightclub singing ‘Love makes me treat you…’ is sexy yet playful. Her crystal sparkly mini-dress is white with gold tassles at the bottom. It popped out the eyes of not just Stanley ‘The Mask’ Ipkiss (played by Jim Carrey), but who knows how many other drooling guys out there!

most_iconic_hollywood_white_dress_movie_actress_the_mask_cameron_diaz_dance_bar_performance_mini_sequin_applique_1

The list of the most iconic white dresses in the history of Hollywood ever continues… Dresses that are so gorgeous, so hot, that we can’t forget them! We covered many of the most iconic white dresses already – from Sharon Stone to Marilyn Monroe. So, let’s just dive into more white, shall we!?

most_iconic_hollywood_white_dress_movie_actress_part_2_shilpaahujadotcom_1

11. Natalie Portman in Black Swan

Natalie Portman’s white ballet dress from the movie’s climax scene was not only beautiful and gasp-worthy, but also inspired many replicas, both evening and wedding dresses, such as this one… Combined with the intensity of the scene, her expressions and the choreography, this one really makes for an unforgettable experience.

most_iconic_hollywood_white_dress_movie_actress_natalie_portman_black_swan_ballet
most_iconic_hollywood_white_dress_movie_actress_natalie_portman_black_swan_ballet_inspired_wedding_dress

12. Grace Kelly in To Catch a Thief

The classic evening dress worn by Grace Kelly in the 1954 film To Catch a Thief can double as a wedding gown, and is timeless and classy. She paired it with a beautiful diamond bib necklace, and has since inspired many a prom dress.

most_iconic_hollywood_white_dress_movie_actress_grace_kelly_to_catch_a_thief_necklace_diamond_1
most_iconic_hollywood_white_dress_movie_actress_grace_kelly_to_catch_a_thief_necklace_diamond

13. Marilyn Monroe in The Prince and the Showgirl

The 1950’s had Marilyn Monroe and iconic white dresses. This one, worn by the famous actress, is in silk with bead work, and embroidered flowers. The dress was particularly difficult to scene, because of many mishaps during the filming of the movie, but looked awesome nonetheless.

forever_marilyn_monroe_statue_white_dress_marilyn_monroe_prince_and_the_showgirl
marilyn_monroe_white_dress_marilyn_monroe_prince_and_the_showgirl_1

14. Elizabeth Taylor in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof

Elizabeth Taylor looked classy in this timeless white sensation in the Hollywood movie Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, and was immediately copied by many women in the country. The dress is very minimalist, with a matching belt, a Greek-style V-neck and shoulder detail. I guess this simple wear-ability of the dress was the reason for its sensation, making Elizabeth order one copy for herself.

most_iconic_hollywood_white_dress_movie_actress_elizabeth_taylor_cat_on_a_hot_tin_roof

15. Leslie Caron in Gigi

The white silk floor-length gown Leslie Caron wore in 1958’s Gigi was beautiful with black off-shoulder details and gloves. It’s not as popular as some of the other dresses, but Jesus Piero’s 2014 bridal collection shows inspirations of this dress. And it may as well inspire any modern-day white dress. That’s why we are adding it to the list of the most iconic white dresses.

most_iconic_hollywood_white_dress_movie_actress_leslie_caron_gigi
most_iconic_hollywood_white_dress_movie_actress_leslie_caron_gigi_inspired_jesus_piero_bridal_collection_runway_gown

So, did you like my list of the Most Iconic White Dresses in Hollywood History?

Which one is your favorite out of all? Do you have a replica of any of these? Did I forget any iconic white dress? Comment below, lemme know! 🙂 Until next time, Adiós!

Note added on April 27, 2022: This article was initially posted as a 2 part piece ranking 20 dresses. However, over time, we analyzed some dresses to have lost the popularity we had expected from them for remaining in this list. So this article was reposted as an edited ranking of 15 dresses.

4 thoughts on “The Most Iconic White Dresses in Hollywood Movies”

  1. Yoᥙr article is as amazing. The list is just nice and і could assume you’re a professional οn fashion. Тhank yⲟu a million and please keep uⲣ the great work.

    Reply
  2. This is one of the only sites where I’ve seen Hollywood’s fashion history presented so relatable yet in a well-researched way!

    Reply

Leave a Comment