See Marilyn Monroe's 20 Most Glamorous Moments Ever
See Marilyn Monroe's 20 Most Glamorous Moments Ever
Ariana QuihuizSun, May 10, 2026 at 11:30 AM UTC
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Marilyn Monroe in 1954 ; Marilyn Monroe in 'Gentlemen Prefer Blondes'
Credit: M. Garrett/Murray Garrett/Getty; Alamy
Marilyn Monroe has always been known for her glamorous style.
The actress, who first started her film career in 1946, shot to fame as a fashion icon in films like Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and The Seven Year Itch. But she also opted for standout gowns at awards shows like the Oscars — attending in 1951 wearing a black tulle gown — and when meeting Queen Elizabeth in 1956 while wearing a gold lamé dress.
In the 2017 book Marilyn in Manhattan: Her Year of Joy by Elizabeth Winder, the author wrote that Monroe felt “alienated” by high fashion but also had “zero interest in following trends.” She preferred "neutral" colors to show off her figure, with designers George Nardiello and Norman Norell helping to revamp Monroe’s wardrobe in the 1950s to create looks that were “sexy but simple.”
“A dress, however beautiful, would always just be a flattering frame,” Winder wrote, per Vogue. "It was her face, her body, her hair and skin that were on show."
Below, see 20 of Marilyn Monroe’s most glamorous moments ever, from her early days on set to some of her final appearances before her death in August 1962.
01 of 20
Smile for the camera
Marilyn Monroe in 1947
Credit: Bettmann
During a screen test for Scudda Hoo! Scudda Hay! in 1947, Monroe wore a black-and-white gown with an off-the-shoulder neckline. The dress also featured a tiered skirt, black bow appliqués and lace trim.
02 of 20
Something borrowed
Marilyn Monroe wearing the dress she attended to the 23rd Academy Awards
Credit: Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty
In 1951, Monroe attended her first and only Academy Awards — where she presented the trophy for Best Sound Mixing — in a black tulle gown with an off-the-shoulder neckline. The dress was made by costume designer Charles LeMaire and was originally worn by Valentina Cortese in The House on Telegraph Hill, per British Vogue.
03 of 20
Diamonds and lace
Marilyn Monroe attending the premiere of 'How to Marry a Millionaire'
Credit: Darlene Hammond/Hulton Archive/Getty
For the 1953 premiere of How to Marry a Millionaire, Monroe wore a white lace gown designed by William Travilla, which she borrowed from the film studio. She accessorized with a white fox stole, white opera gloves and fringe drop earrings.
04 of 20
Pretty in pink
Marilyn Monroe on the set of 'Gentlemen Prefer Blondes'
Credit: Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty
One of Monroe’s most famous looks is the hot pink strapless dress she wore during her performance of “Diamond’s Are a Girl’s Best Friend” in 1953’s Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. The satin look, once again designed by Travilla, was accessorized with matching opera gloves and diamond jewelry.
05 of 20
Silver screen star
Marilyn Monroe accepts the award presented by Photoplay Magazine for most popular film actress of 1953
Credit: Bettmann Archive/Getty
Monroe accepted her most popular film actress award at the 1953 Photoplay Magazine Awards in a silver pleated dress. She accessorized with a white fur stole and diamond drop earrings.
06 of 20
Made for the stage
Marilyn Monroe entertaining U.S. troops
Credit: Bettmann
In 1954, Monroe performed for the 25th Marine division in Korea wearing a purple cocktail dress with a sequin design. She paired the vibrant look with gold ankle-strap heels and hoop earrings.
07 of 20
Dripping in crystals
Marilyn Monroe on the set of 'There's No Business Like Show Business'
Credit: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty
Monroe wore another gown by Travilla in 1954’s There’s No Business Like Show Business. The form-fitting dress featured beaded drop embellishments on the bodice and an ombré tulle pouf at the bottom of the skirt.
08 of 20
Old Hollywood glamour
Marilyn Monroe at the premiere of 'There's No Business Like Show Business'
Credit: M. Garrett/Murray Garrett/Getty
Monroe opted for an all-white look at the 1954 premiere of There’s No Business Like Show Business. She paired a satin strapless gown with a fur stole and opera gloves.
09 of 20
Relaxing in red
Marilyn Monroe in 1955
Credit: Gene Lester/Getty
While posing for a photo in 1955, Monroe lounged on a carpet in a red brocade gown and black leather gloves. She used one of her go-to accessories, a white fur stole, as a pillow.
10 of 20
A velvet moment
Marilyn Monroe wearing an evening gown in 1955
Credit: Archive Photos/Getty
Monroe posed for another photo that same year, wearing a black velvet evening gown with braided detailing that covered the bust and a yarn-like shoulder strap.
She had previously worn the dress to a 1952 Hollywood Foreign Press Association award ceremony.
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11 of 20
Stealing the show
Marilyn Monroe steals the show again as she arrives wearing a slinky evening gown for the New York opening of Tennessee Williams' new play, 'Cat On A Hot Tin Roof,' at the Morosco Theater.
Credit: Getty
Monroe attended the 1955 opening of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof at the Morosco Theater in a metallic strapless gown. She accessorized the form-fitting look with a white fur coat and white opera gloves.
12 of 20
Form-fitting florals
Marilyn Monroe arrives at the Astor Theatre tonight for the benefit premiere of "East of Eden."
Credit: Getty
Monroe arrived at the 1955 premiere of East of Eden in a white jacquard gown and a matching fur-lined stole. She completed the look with white opera gloves and satin high heels.
13 of 20
A Star in Stripes
Marilyn Monroe in 1955
Credit: Everett
Monroe’s most iconic look from 1955’s The Seven Year Itch is her white pleated dress, but her “tiger gown” is an even more glamorous ensemble. The strapless number featured black sequin tiger stripes on gold fabric and a tulle train, which she paired with black opera gloves.
14 of 20
A Timeless Silhouette
Marilyn Monroe in all her splendor arrives at the Astor Theater for the world premiere of the film, "The Rose Tattoo."
Credit: Getty
Monroe went for classic glamour at the 1955 premiere of The Rose Tattoo, wearing a black V-neck gown and a matching fur stole. She further accessorized with black opera gloves, fringe earrings and black heels.
15 of 20
Captivating the Crowd
Marilyn Monroe with her husband, Arthur Miller, at the Royal Film Performance at The Empire in London
Credit: Topical Press Agency/Getty
For a 1956 screening for The Battle of River Plate at the Empire Theatre in London, Monroe opted for a gold lamé gown and a matching cape — a look that which broke royal protocol. The dress directly went against the request to not wear anything "so low-cut that they showed too much cleavage" while meeting Queen Elizabeth, per the 2022 book When Marilyn Met the Queen.
The actress finished off the outfit with her signature white opera gloves.
16 of 20
Shining in New York City
Marilyn Monroe and Arthur Miller attend the premiere of Alia Kazan's Baby Doll in New York City
Credit: Getty
Monroe attended the 1956 premiere of Baby Doll with then-husband Arthur Miller in a black halter gown covered in sequins. She paired the sparkly number with a white fur coat and drop diamond earrings.
17 of 20
A Satin Dream
Arthur Miller and Marilyn Monroe arrive at Radio City Music Hall
Credit: Getty
At the 1957 premiere of The Prince and the Showgirl — the first film from Monroe's company Marilyn Monroe Productions — the actress wore a white satin gown with a mermaid silhouette. She accessorized with a matching satin stole and full-length gloves.
18 of 20
Glitz and Glam
Marilyn Monroe speaking to radio announcer Ted Brown at the premiere of 'Some Like It Hot'
Credit: Lee Lockwood/Getty
Monroe attended the 1959 premiere of Some Like It Hot in a white, embellished gown with a halter neckline. She added even more glamour to the look with diamond drop earrings and a white fur stole.
The dress later appeared in 1960's Let's Make Love.
19 of 20
In the Limelight
Marilyn Monroe attends the Golden Globes in 1962
Credit: Earl Leaf/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty
In 1962, Monroe accepted her third Golden Globe in a green sequined gown by Norell. She completed the look with pointed-toe heels and diamond earrings.
The dress was later worn by Kim Kardashian to a 2022 Met Gala afterparty.
20 of 20
A Dazzling Celebration
Marilyn Monroe and Steven E. Smith, brother-in-law of U.S. President John F. Kennedy
Credit: GHI/Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty
One of Monroe’s most famous looks is the beige beaded gown she wore for President John F. Kennedy’s birthday party at Madison Square Garden in 1962. The look, which was sketched by Bob Mackie and made by Jean Louis, featured 2,500 hand-sewn crystals and cost $12,000.
In 2015, however, it was purchased by Ripley's Believe It Or Not for a record-breaking $4.81 million.
Kardashian famously donned the dress for the 2022 Met Gala. Afterwards, side-by-side photos circulated on social media, leading many to speculate that Kardashian had permanently damaged the fragile silk soufflé fabric.
However, Ripley’s Believe It or Not! released a statement denying any damage. Kardashian later denied harming the garment in a November 2025 Vanity Fair lie detector video.
on People
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