Forget the Story: These Hollywood Movies Are Remembered for Their Iconic Dresses

When you think of a memorable film, you’re probably recalling how you felt watching a really good scene or the telling of a fantastic story. But cinema being the visual medium it is, films are often remembered for the beautifully shot scenes and often also for the stunning costumes.

Quite often, these dresses had a heavy influence on fashion in their respective times. They were trendsetters of the best kind and defined the look of their eras. While the films may be memorable to some, you can undoubtedly say that the unforgettable fashion is the real star of these movies.

This list is a compilation of 30 films that have stood out for having featured iconic dresses that have outlasted the story of which they were part – they’ve basically become bigger than the respective movies themselves. Let’s take a look back at some of the most stunning of them all:

By Alexandra Stock

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1 of 30

Kate Winslet
As Rose DeWitt Bukater in Titanic

2 of 30

Julia Roberts
As Julianne Potter in My Best Friend's Wedding

3 of 30

Jennifer Lopez
As Marisa Ventura in Maid in Manhattan

4 of 30

Marilyn Monroe
As Lorelei Lee in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes

5 of 30

Kate Hudson
As Andie Anderson in How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days

6 of 30

Angelina Jolie
As Jane Smith in Mr & Mrs Smith

7 of 30

Jennifer Grey
As Frances "Baby" Houseman in Dirty Dancing

8 of 30

Zhang Ziyi
As Mei in House of Flying Daggers

9 of 30

Goldie Hawn
As Helen Sharp in Death Becomes Her

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Vivien Leigh
As Scarlett O'Hara in the 1939 classic Gone With The Wind

11 of 30

Grace Kelly
As Tracy Samantha Lord in High Society

12 of 30

Jennifer Hudson, Beyoncé and Anika Noni Rose
As Effie White, Deena Jones and Lorrell Robinson in Dreamgirls

13 of 30

Audrey Hepburn
As Holly Golightly in Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961). That little black dress with the white pearls and long gloves cemented the actress’s place as a fashion icon (plus it's a look that has really stood the test of time).

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Nicole Kidman
As Satine in Moulin Rouge!

15 of 30

Frieda Pinto
As Latika in Slumdog Millionaire

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Meryl Streep
As Miranda Priestly in The Devil Wears Prada

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Julia Roberts
As Vivian Ward in Pretty Woman

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Reese Witherspoon
As Elle Woods in Legally Blonde

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Marilyn Monroe
As “The Girl” in The Seven Year Itch. The quintessential Marilyn Monroe look.

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Keira Knightley
As Cecilia Tallis in Atonement. This green dress was handmade by the costume designer and it is constantly voted one of the best Hollywood dresses of all time.

21 of 30

Emma Watson
As Belle in Beauty and the Beast

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Rachel McAdams
As Allison Hamilton in The Notebook

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Isla Fisher
As Rebecca Bloomwood in Confessions of a Shopaholic

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Liv Tyler
As Arwen in The Lord of The Rings: The Two Towers

25 of 30

Claire Danes
As Juliet Capulet in Romeo and Juliet

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Kirsten Dunst
As Marie Antoinette in Marie Antoinette. This visually stunning film cost millions to produce with extravagant sets and costumes that were inspired by desserts. The film was awarded the Academy Award for Best Costume Design.