12+ Of The Most Famous Dresses Ever Worn

By Kirsty 1 year ago

1. Princess Diana's Revenge Dress

Image Source / Tatler AsiaPrincess Diana and Prince (now King) Charles's marriage was a famous one for its ups and downs, but one up and down in particular was Charles's relationship with Camilla Parker-Bowles. When the truth came out, Diana stepped out in style - with this iconic dress dubbed The Revenge Dress, of course.

2. Jennifer Lopez's Versace Jungle Print Dress

Image Source / Glamour
Need we say more? This dress not only caught everyone's attention, but it also gave Google a pretty demanding job when it seemed like every person in the world was trying to search for it. The demand to see this revealing chiffon gown from the comfort of your own home actually lead to Google Images being born.

3. Marilyn Monroe's White Dress

Image Source / Pinterest
The white dress that Marilyn Monroe wore in the Seven Year Itch is probably one of the most recognisable outfits the actress has ever worn. See a canvas of Marilyn on the shelves at home decor stores, and she's probably wearing this dress. And of course the dress isn't complete without the blast of air from the grate beneath.

4. Marilyn Monroe's Happy Birthday Mr President Gown

Image Source / Entertainment Weekly
But alongside the white dress is another pretty famous gown (and not least because of Kim Kardashian's recent controversy over it). The beaded, figure-hugging gown which Marilyn wore to sing her legendary rendition of Happy Birthday Mr President has gone down in history.

5. Rihanna's Yellow Fur Gown

Image Source / Elle
There's no doubt that this yellow fur gown is iconic, but unfortunately for Rihanna, the internet also exists, so it quickly became dubbed as the omelette gown, slice of pizza or even a bowl of pasta. The memes were soon created, but hey, it's just further exposure for this now-famous dress.

6. Kate Middleton's Wedding Dress

Image Source / Elle
If we're talking about famous dresses, then there's of course going to be a wedding dress or two. Kate Middleton's chosen dress to become the Duchess of Cambridge was a beautiful lace-sleeved affair that had the world talking - and also had other women inspired.

7. Lady Gaga's Meat Dress

Image Source / Elle
This is a prime example of a dress that isn't exactly pretty (understatement) but is definitely memorable. Lady Gaga's meat dress was more about sending a message than a beauty statement, in where the singer advocated for personal rights and standing up for what you believe in.

8. Michelle Obama's Portrait Dress

Image Source / Elle
This dress caused a stir originally - which might be surprising when you look at it and see nothing but a nice, simple dress - but apparently it was because the then-First Lady was revealing her muscular, toned arms. It wasn't even so much as the dress that made history, but more the arms themselves. Go figure.

9. Keira Knightley's Green Silk Dress

Image Source / Elle
This particular dress from the movie Atonement is definitely up there amongst the most legendary on-screen dresses of all time - both for style and colour. The emerald green beauty took inspiration from fashion trends of the 1920s and 30s (even though the movie was set in 30s/40s, but who cares when it looks that good).

10. Kate Hudson's Yellow Silk Dress

Image Source / Elle
The beautiful buttercup-yellow dress which actress Kate Hudson wore in the movie How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days stunned audiences with its plunging back-line and delicate silk silhouette. The dress was so popular that it quickly became a go-to prom dress for many girls, too.

11. Halle Berry's Mesh Flower Dress

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The night of the 2002 Oscars, Halle Berry wore a stunning mesh dress which she, thankfully, could show off in its full splendour when she took to the stage to accept the Best Actress award for Monster's Ball. The dress included flower embroidery and a beautiful taffeta skirt.

12. Bjork's Swan Dress

Image Source / Elle
I'd be worried if a swan dress didn't make the headlines or get people talking, but naturally this one did. Singer Bjork took silly fashion to the extreme - but still managed to make it work, oddly - when she hit the red carpet in this white wonder.

13. Geri Halliwell's Union Jack Dress

Image Source / Elle
When you think of the Spice Girls, you no doubt think of this dress. Geri Halliwell's Union Jack dress was not actually supposed to look like this. She originally got given a tiny black dress that she dubbed too boring - and we agree when it comes to Ginger Spice - so instead had her sister stitch a tea towel with a Union Jack on it to the front - and voila!

14. Elizabeth Hurley's Safety Pin Dress

Image Source / Go Fug Yourself
The great thing about this dress, and the woman wearing it, is that this wasn't even supposed to be the focus of the event. It was actor Hugh Grant that was attending his film premiere when he stepped out with then-partner Elizabeth Hurley who was wearing this particular black Versace dress with extra-large safety pins.

15. Kate Moss's Sheer Dress

Image Source / Elle
If you're looking for iconic dresses, then models are bound to be the way to go - and look no further than Kate Moss for this completely sheer slip dress. Not only is it sheer, but it's metallic, too, which is even more legendary all in itself.

16. Sharon Stone's White Polo Neck Dress

Image Source / Elle
It's not so much the polo neck, or even the dress, that made this outfit legendary - it's what Sharon Stone did in the scene whilst wearing it. We all know the one, but this white dress from Basic Instinct went down in history in its own right (as did something else).

17. Julia Roberts' Red Pretty Woman Dress

Image Source / Wonderwall
If you're gonna be dressed up by a guy with a lot of money, then obviously the outfits are going to look fantastic. All of Julia Roberts' outfits in Pretty Woman were iconic, but this particular off-the-shoulder red number with long white gloves is definitely a memorable one from the movie.

18. Cher's Black Sequin Outfit

Image Source / Elle
Cher is definitely not one to wear something completely forgettable, and this particular outfit just proves that. The legendary singer wore an even more legendary outfit with this black sequinned affair complete with spectacular headdress. She wore it for the 1986 Oscars.

19. Princess Diana's Wedding Dress

Image Source / Elle
Another memorable royal wedding dress here which of course comes from Princess Diana. Diana wore this iconic 10,000-pearl creation from designers Emanuel, a wedding dress which has become a pinnacle part of the princess's memory.

20. Jackie Onassis's Pink Strapless Dinner Dress

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While Michelle Obama shows off her arms, Jackie Onassis - wife of JFK - decided to half-cover with long white gloves and pair with a pink strapless dress. She wore this delicate baby-pink creation to dinner at the White House when she was the First Lady of the USA.

21. Audrey Hepburn's Breakfast At Tiffany's Dress

Image Source / Elle
There's no doubt Holly Golightly had style, and when you think of actress Audrey Hepburn, you'll naturally think of the iconic black dress she wore for this movie. The beautiful dress, complete with those equally-iconic sunglasses, originally had a thigh slit but was altered to be more modest due to the times.

22. Grace Kelly's Wedding Dress

Image Source / Vanity Fair
When legendary actress Grace Kelly married Prince Rainer III of Monaco, she made sure to do it in style. She donned an iconic lace wedding gown which was actually designed by MGM Studios costume designer Helen Rose.

23. Marilyn Monroe's Pink Satin 'Diamond's Are A Girl's Best Friend' Gown

Image Source /
Another historical dress from Marilyn (naturally), this pink satin gown was showcased by the star in the movie Gentlemen Prefer Blondes when Marilyn performed Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend - but stunning pink dresses can be a girl's best friend, too, if this one is anything to go by.

24. Lady Gaga's Judy Garland Tribute Dress

Image Source / Elle
This dress would be stunning even if it was simply a new one Gaga had picked, but the message behind it makes it even more special. Gaga wore this Valentino dress to the awards ceremony for A Star Is Born - a dress which replicated the gown worn by Judy Garland in 1954 for the same role.

25. Beyoncé's Lemonade Dress

Image Source / Elle
When the album Lemonade was released, the world went crazy - and not just for the music, but for the visuals and music videos, too. One iconic element of which was this particular mustard-yellow ruffle dress, the perfect outfit to wear while beating up some cars.

26. Lupita Nyong'o's Blue Oscars Dress

Image Source / Elle
Oscar dresses are always legendary, but this one took the cake when Lupita Nyong'o revealed it during her Oscar acceptance. The beautiful dress showed off a stunning blue hue in a pleated chiffon, and has become one of the most memorable dresses worn for the awards show ever.

27. Angelina Jolie's Black Thigh Split Dress

Image Source / Elle
Another example of how an iconic dress can also become a meme overnight. Jolie's slinky right leg revealed from this mesmerising thigh split gown sent the meme-fandom into a frenzy. Jolie wore the black velvet number for the 2012 Oscars,

28. Julia Roberts' Valentino Dress

Image Source / Elle
Oscar-winner Julia Roberts nabbed the award in style with this Valentino dress from the 2001 Oscars. The 9-year-old vintage dress revealed a slinky black silhouette with a train and white piping detail. Valentino also said it was the best moment of his career.

29. Sarah Jessica Parker's Newsprint Dress

Image Source / Elle
The dress worn by Parker in-character as the legendary Carrie Bradshaw was revealed in season three of Sex and The City, and the Dior newspaper print caused a storm - not least because of its iconic nature, but also because of the controversial 'Hobo Chic' collection it came from.

30. Gwyneth Paltrow's Pink Number

Image Source / Elle
Back in 1999, Paltrow unveiled this beautiful pink gown that she wore to an event (and we thank her for it). It was designed by Ralph Lauren and showed off a thick taffeta skirt, arm wraps and spaghetti straps for the perfect red carpet look.

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