The Most Iconic On-Screen Dress Moments Of All Time, In Photos

Fashion plays a crucial role in cinema, as many costume designers have undeniably helped elevate good films into magnificent ones. In fact, it's not uncommon to remember a film by a fashion moment that stole the show, and over the decades we have seen plenty of dresses live on way past the film's success.

From Marilyn Monroe's unforgettable "The Seven Year Itch" white dress to Rachel McAdams' retro blue number in "The Notebook," plenty of dresses have helped capture the aesthetic and energy the film was aiming for. Picking a handful of looks was a tough task, so we have to mention some honorable dress moments, such as Judy Garland's blue gingham look from "The Wizard of Oz," Marilyn Monroe's pink attire from "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes," and Molly Ringwald's "Pretty in Pink" prom dress. While all of them are incredible dresses, the following frocks have absolutely won our hearts — and tend to be the first thing we think of when someone mentions the movies they were worn in.

No list of iconic dress moments in film history would be complete without the red gown that Julia Roberts wore in the 1990 rom-com "Pretty Woman." A design by Marilyn Vance, the dress suited Vivian Ward perfectly. Speaking to Vogue France in 2020, Vance revealed that there were other dresses in the running for the glamorous scene. "We ended up creating three different dresses," she shared. "Poor Julia had to endure so many photos, color testing for this dress. Finally, I was able to find the right shade and convince everyone to follow my directions."

Few movie scenes are as iconic as that scene from the 1955 rom-com "The Seven Year Itch." Who could forget when The Girl, played by Marilyn Monroe, walked over a subway grating as the wind lifted up her dress? "Do you feel the breeze from the subway? Isn't it delicious?" Monroe's character famously says, and just like that, a white halter dress became a part of pop culture history. The garment was designed by the film's costume designer William Travilla, and going down in history as one of Monroe's most recognized looks. 

In the 2001 comedy "Legally Blonde," Reese Witherspoon's character Elle Woods is known for her love of pink fashion, which plays a significant role throughout the film. In a pivotal scene toward the end of the movie, Woods shows up in court in a preppy hot-pink knee-length dress that instantly puts her at the center of attention. Speaking of the film, pics of the leading ladies of "Legally Blonde" then and now showcase just how stunning they all still look.

Emma Stone's performance in the Academy Award-winning 2016 musical "La La Land" was impeccable, as was the fashion. In one scene, Stone's character Mia Dolan dances in a bright-yellow dress — a look that continues to live rent-free in our minds. "I pitched [that color] to [director Damien Chazelle] for that sequence. We had our first fitting and Emma started spinning around in this dress. She loved it. I loved it," costume designer Mary Zophres shared with Fashionista in 2016. The dress was finished off with hand-painted flowers for a whimsical touch.

When it comes to iconic Y2K film dresses, we have to mention the colorful minidress from the 2004 rom-com "13 Going on 30." Worn by Jennifer Garner's character Jenna Rink, the Versace mini has become a beloved film dress that many replicate each Halloween. In fact, in 2024, for the film's 20-year anniversary, Garner herself recreated the iconic look. And while we're on the topic of the film, young Jenna from "13 Going on 30" is unrecognizable today!

The 1961 rom-com "Breakfast at Tiffany's" is one of Audrey Hepburn's most famous films. And the black Givenchy dress she wore in it is undoubtedly her most memorable fashion moment. The dress helped solidify the LBD as a type of dress every girl should own, and Hepburn's version showcased just how glamorous the look can be. Off-screen, Hepburn was also a fashion icon, and her 1954 white gown was one of the most stunning Old Hollywood wedding dresses.

The 2003 rom-com "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days" gave us a yellow dress moment that is still as stylish decades later. In the film, Kate Hudson's character Andie Anderson wears a breathtaking silk gown in a soft butter yellow that suits the actor perfectly. Speaking to Elle in 2021, Hudson gushed about the garment. "I know it was Carolina Herrera and our amazing costume designer designed the dress with Carolina's team," she revealed. 

In the 2005 action film "Mr. & Mrs. Smith," Angelina Jolie was dressed in quite a few fun looks, from oversized button-ups to delicate matching sets. In one scene, Jolie's character Jane Smith wears an ultra-short, strapless black latex minidress that definitely showed off just how fit Jolie was. Paired with garter tights and handless gloves, the look was dramatic, edgy, and incredibly sexy. Of course, Angelina Jolie's stunning style transformation shows that at the time, Jolie was definitely a fan of revealing looks.

While Rachel McAdams' character Allie Hamilton gave us plenty of beautiful 1940s fashion , the blue dress she wore in the iconic rain scene in the 2004 romance film "The Notebook" is definitely a fan favorite. In a 2024 conversation with Vogue, McAdams revealed that because she was asked to gain weight between the scenes, the dress barely fit when she had to do retakes. "I remember the buttons kept popping off when I would sit down," she shared. The dress famously ended up in Vanessa Bryant's possession after her late husband, basketball legend Kobe Bryant, gifted it to her.