These are the most iconic movie dresses of all time – with double-take versions that you can actually buy!
Ever since the very first movie flickered onto the silver screen, audiences have been obsessed with on-screen costumes - and specifically the dresses - which can help tell each character's story just as much as the dialogue.
We've reminisced over the past century's most important films and, more importantly, the dresses that have grown into icons. And because we know you've acted out Cher's "Calvin Klein" clap-back to Mr Horowitz in the mirror many times, we've also found versions of each of these dresses that you can barely tell apart from the original. You're so welcome.
Celluloid has the ability to crystallise a fashion moment so it makes sense that Hollywood would call on the biggest fashion names of each era, like Givenchy in the early Sixties, Carolina Herrera in Y2K and Thierry Mugler in the 90s, to get involved. Although sometimes the most impactful creations come straight from the costume department, like the green satin gown Kiera Knightley wore in Atonement, and which is regularly voted as one of the most iconic movie dresses ever. Or from the stars themselves... Diana Ross reportedly designed one of her ultra-impactful gowns from her leading role in Mahogany.
Whether you want to channel Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's (there's a modern McQueen gown for that) or Julia Roberts watching the polo in brown and white polka dots (we found a total ringer at ASOS) scroll through our edit of the most iconic movie dresses - and the versions you can buy right now that will make everyone do a double take.
Read more from Glamour UK Fashion Director at large Alex Fullerton here or follow her on Instagram @alexandrafullerton
ShutterstockThe Movie: Pretty Woman
Thanks to the fashion world's obsession with Nineties style, Vivian Ward's polka dot dress has been refashioned dozens of times in recent seasons. Julia Robert's character chooses a demure silhouette and sweet print for her first trip to the polo and we remain obsessed.
The Dress: ASOS
ShutterstockThe Movie: Crazy Rich Asians
As Rachel Chu, Constance Wu wore this Marchesa gown to a wedding in the 2018 film. Giving us Cinderella flashbacks, the pale blue shade is a dreamy choice. The dress originally appeared on the catwalk in 2016 with sleeves, which costume designer Mary E. Vogt removed to make Wu's character look more 'vulnerable' in this key scene.
The Dress: ASOS
ShutterstockThe Movie: Atonement
Costume designer Jacqueline Durran earned an Oscar nomination for her work on Atonement, where Keira Knightley's aristocratic character, Cecilia Tallis, is bewitching in sinuous emerald green satin. The specific shade of green was chosen by director Joe Wright to symbolise jealousy between two sisters. The dress is regularly voted for as the most iconic movie dress of all time.
The Dress: Galvan
ParamountThe Movie: How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
Andie Anderson, played by Kate Hudson, showed up to a jewellery gala in a primrose yellow silk gown which was designed by Carolina Herrera - in collaboration with the movie's costume team. This year Kate admitted she had "no idea" where the dress was now. We wish it was in our wardrobe, thanks!
ShutterstockThe Movie: Indecent Proposal
Probably the most wanted dress of 1993, if not the whole of the Nineties, Demi Moore's character wore this stunning floor length gown with spliced velvet and chiffon details and looked flames. The cut-outs are just as on-trend as they were on the Thierry Mugler original as they are today.
The Dress: Le Kasha
Getty ImagesThe Movie: Clueless
Mr Horowitz: "What the hell is that?"
Cher: "A dress."
Mr Horowitz: "Says who?"
Cher: "Calvin Klein."
The Dress: Reformation
ShutterstockThe Movie: Breakfast at Tiffany's
Holly Golightly, played by Audrey Hepburn, was the epitome of uptown chic in her long, black column dress, black gloves and jewels. (We'll ignore the cigarette.) The concept of the LBD was credited to Coco Chanel in the 1920s but it was Hubert de Givenchy who designed Hepburn's version in the film and made it a modern icon. One of the three versions of the dress from the film sold at auction in 2006 for over €607,000. Iconic indeed.
The Dress: Alexander McQueen
ShutterstockThe Movie: The Wizard Of Oz
Dorothy's ruby slippers get a lot of attention when it comes to movie costumes, but the dress Judy Garland wore - a blue and white gingham pinny-style - proves that while gingham is the pattern of summer 2021, it's also been totally on-trend since 1939. Wear this year's version over a zoom-worthy white blouse.
ShutterstockThe Movie: Mahogany
Diana Ross is divine as struggling fashion student Tracy Chambers, who also works in a department store where a case of mistaken identity sees her catapulted into a modelling career. This statement-making dress, embellished with a sequinned dragon, was apparently designed by Ross herself, along with costume designer Susan Gertsman.
The Dress: Isabel Sanchis
ShutterstockThe Movie: 13 Going On 30
The striped Versace frock Jennifer Garner wore as Jenna Rink is not for sale, but earlier this summer TikTok unearthed an absolute dupe of the dress for way less.. If you're planning on leading a line dance or just going Out Out doing 'normal' dancing, it's an iconic option.
The Dress: Amazon
