Marilyn Monroe Gentlemen Prefer Blondes Outfits – All her Gorgeous Glam Dresses
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Marilyn Monroe Gentlemen Prefer Blondes – all her 1950s fashion & costumes in the movie
This article is all about Marilyn Monroe Gentlemen Prefer Blondes Outfits and all her 1950s fashion in the movie
What did Marilyn Monroe wear in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes?
In the musical comedy Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, Marilyn Monroe’s dresses and costumes are dazzlingly glamorous, so be prepared for some of the glitziest 1950s wardrobe inspiration ever.
Marilyn Monroe’s outfits range from casual wear (one outfit), to tailored dresses, glitzy evening gowns, to (spoiler alert!) her final outfit, a romantic lace wedding dress.
For shoes, Marilyn Monroe wears a variety of 1950’s high heels and pumps.
In fact, she never wears a pair of flats, only high heels to further glam up her outfits.
Her beautiful shoes include classic low-heeled black pumps, and a collection of round-toed pumps in colors that coordinate with her outfits.
She also has a couple of glittering pumps, covered in rhinestones, that add even more sparkle to her evening outfits.
Marilyn Monroe’s fashion accessories include lots of diamonds, from statement diamond earrings, diamond bracelets, and diamond necklaces, ‘fake diamond’ garters (for her showgirl outfits), to a gold tiara!
For certain outfits, she also wears gloves, to add an extra touch of class.
It’s not wonder that dazzling fashion from the gorgeous Old Hollywood sex symbol, Marilyn Monroe, continues to inspire decades later.
What is Marilyn Monroe’s makeup in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes?
Marilyn Monroe’s makeup consists of her signature dramatic black eyeliner, eyelash extensions, lightly drawn eyebrows, with glossy red lips.
Who designed the costumes in the movie Gentlemen Prefer Blondes? And, who designed Marilyn Monroe’s pink dress?
William Travilla, affectionately dubbed “Billy” by Marilyn Monroe, is the talented costume designer, who designed the costumes and outfits for Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, including Marilyn Monroe’s famous pink dress.
He designed outfits for eight of her films, including her costumes in Don’t Bother to Knock, How to Marry a Millionaire, and her iconic white dress that blows up when she’s standing on a New York City Subway ventilation grate in the The Seven Year Itch.
Fun fact!
It’s rumored that Billy Travilla dated the beautiful Marilyn Monroe for a stint. And his love was no secret, nor was the fact that he adored dressing Marilyn.
“My clothes for Marilyn were an act of love. Because I adored her, I couldn’t help but do my best for her.” — William Travilla
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes 1953 Summary
Marilyn Monroe’s character Lorelei Lee, and her best friend Dorothy Shaw (Jane Russell) are two beautiful and glamorous showgirls.
They seem to have everything a girl could want, except the men they want.
After Marilyn Monroe’s character gets engaged to a geeky millionaire, she and her girlfriend board an intercontinental cruise for France.
However, the girls do not realize that Marilyn Monroe’s fiancé’s controlling father hired a private eye to trail them.
Marilyn Monroe Gentlemen Prefer Blondes Outfits #1 – Red Dress
Marilyn Monroe’s showgirl costume is deep red covered in shimmering sequins, accentuated with a deep v at the front and a corresponding high slit.
Her accessories include a sequined and feather headpiece, and a statement dazzling diamond accessories, including a glittering diamond broach.
The deep v at the front of Marilyn’s costume is actually tan fabric, so it does not reveal any cleavage.
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes opens in dazzling style with Marilyn Monroe and her best friend, dancing and singing the catchy and hilarious “A Little Girl from Little Rock.”
This iconic opening dance number pretty much sums up the sentiment of this Marilyn Monroe musical Rom Com: Although they grew up on the wrong side of the track, now they’re educated, they’re sharing advice–find a guy who’s a millionaire–as that’s all that matters.
In the front row of the audience, Marilyn Monroe’s enraptured boyfriend eagerly applauds.
As they walk backstage, Marilyn Monroe’s smitten millionaire boyfriend pulls her aside and proposes, eagerly asking if the engagement ring is the right size.
Marilyn Monroe’s character Lorelei replies: “Well, it can never be too big!”
“…I mean does it fit your finger,” he asks!
He says that he wants to travel to Europe and get married there together.
They are interrupted with a phone call from his father.
As he rushes off, her friend tells Marilyn Monroe’s character that the millionaire’s father will never approve of their marriage.
Marilyn Monroe Gentlemen Prefer Blondes Outfits #2 – Blue Dress With A Leopard Cape & Muff
Marilyn Monroe and her girlfriend board their ship for their intercontinental voyage.
The US male Olympic team, also sailing to France, watches and whistles in admiration as they approach.
Her millionaire fiancé hands her a letter of credit, telling her to put it in a safe place.
As the olympic athletes file into the girls’ room for a bon voyage party, Marilyn Monroe’s nerdy fiancé nervously tells her to be sure to avoid any possible hint of scandal, as his father is dead set against their marriage already.
Unbeknownst to Marilyn Monroe, her fiancé’s father has hired a private eye to trail her on the trip, fully intent to break up the couple.
For this scene, Marilyn Monroe pulls off her hat, leopard cape and muff. Her fitted navy dress is stunning, with criss-cross neck detailing, and a fitted waist that flares out in an a-line.
It’s the voluminous perfectly set blonde hair, exquisite make-up and signature red lips, flawless dress cut, and over-the-top statement jewels that make this look so Marilyn Monroe!
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Marilyn Monroe Gentlemen Prefer Blondes Outfits #3 – Purple Dress
The next day Marilyn Monroe’s character Lorelei is on the deck looking through the passenger lists for men traveling with their valets.
She reasons that they will be rich, and thus eligible bachelors for her best friend.
Marilyn Monroe’s character Lorelei tells her girlfriend that she needs to find a rich husband, so that she won’t have a loveless marriage.
Why? “Because if a girl is spending all of her time worrying about the money she doesn’t have… how is she going to have any time for being in love?”
Over drinks the girls meet a wealthy elderly diamond mine owner, whose wife shows off her diamond tiara.
Marilyn Monroe’s character is shocked that the tiara goes on your head, saying excitedly, “I just love finding new places to wear diamonds.”
The private eye overhears this conversation.
Marilyn Monroe’s purple sweater dress is cinched in at the waist with a purple belt, and is paired with black pumps, and statement dangling hoop gold earrings, gold cuffs worn high on the arm, and her engagement ring.
We love how classy and glam this Marilyn Monroe outfit is.
It’s the perfect chic and stylish look for a voyage to France.
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Marilyn Monroe Gentlemen Prefer Blondes Outfits #4 – Orange Dress
When Marilyn Monroe and her friend walk into the banquet hall for dinner, everyone stops and stares, and the live band starts messing up their parts!
Fun fact (behind the scenes style secret)!
The zip for Marilyn Monroe’s orange evening gown was actually in the front!
Marilyn’s 1950s figure hugging orange evening gown is paired with gold strappy heels.
Her accessories include her diamond jewelry and a glittering gold clutch.
We love this dazzling Marilyn Monroe’s evening gown look, and how she’s so daring with her choice of orange, which is rare for a blonde to wear.
The use of the sequins and beading on the dress, the sexy cut, and the statement glitter of the jewels takes this from elegant to over-the-top glam.
It’s no wonder this stunning dress has made history, known simply as the “Marilyn Monroe orange dress.”
Get more stunning Marilyn Monroe outfit inspiration:
Sizzling 1950s Marilyn Monroe Outfits in Don’t Bother to Knock
Marilyn Monroe Gentlemen Prefer Blondes Outfits #5 – Gold Dress
A couple of nights later, Marilyn Monroe’s character is dancing a seductive Latin-American ballroom dance, the Cha-Cha-Cha, with the old diamond mine owner.
A crowd of people watch in admiration.
The only glimpse we get of this outfit is from the back, as her friend is checking in on her through the porthole on the deck, wondering if she should break it up.
The form-fitting style beautifully accentuates Marilyn Monrooe’s famous hourglass curves.
Fun Fact!
Rumor has it that Travilla, the Costume Designer for Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, got in trouble for this outfit from the 1950s censors.
Why?
He designed the halter style top too low, and this is why the song and scene were cut so severely, and the audience only gets a glimpse of Marilyn Monroe from the back, while she does a few steps of her sexy shimmy dance!
However if you’re a big Marilyn Monroe fashion fan, you may still think you’ve seen this dress elsewhere… you’re right!
Marilyn Monroe loved this daring evening gold dress, and wanted to wear it to the 1953 Photoplay Awards, and for the appearance, she actually had to be sewn into it.
Her costume designer, Billy Travilla, did not approve, as he designed this special gown for a movie, not a public appearance!
(There’s also a certain sex appeal about this shimmering floor length gown that looks eerily similar to the glittering gown that Marilyn Monroe wore for her happy birthday Mr. President number.)
Marilyn Monroe Gentlemen Prefer Blondes Outfits #6 – Pants Outfit
As Marilyn Monroe’s friend, Dorothy, is walking on deck, she spots the Private Eye taking pictures through a porthole.
Suspicious, she sneaks up to see what he is so interested in.
She discovers that it’s Marilyn Monroe’s character, Lorelei, chatting with the elderly (and very married!) diamond mine owner.
Marilyn Monroe’s friend bursts into the room, and asks if they were doing anything that could possibly look incriminating.
They realize the private eye is spying on Marilyn Monroe’s character.
So they plan to steal the camera to get the film.
Marilyn Monroe’s outfit is a bright turquoise plunging v-neck blouse, paired with bright blue pants, and accentuated at the waist with a pop of color from a purple tie band belt.
Her gold and beaded and jewelry pieces are also in deep green and blue shades, echoing the stunning outfit colors.
We love the unusual pairing of the bright and daring color choices in this outfit, and how the jewelry echos them, taking the glam and statement look to the next level.
Need more inspiration on how to recreate the glam 1950s pants style?
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Marilyn Monroe Gentlemen Prefer Blondes Outfits #7 – Black Dress
Marilyn Monroe’s friend, Dorothy, takes the Private Eye out to dinner to distract him, so that Marilyn Monroe can search his cabin for the film.
Marilyn Monroe unsuccessfully searches the Private Eye’s cabin.
They realize he is carrying the film on him, so they invite him to their room for a nightcap.
Marilyn Monroe’s character Loreli laces him a strong drink.
Once he is quickly out of commission, they find film hidden in his pant pockets!
Marilyn Monroe’s black matador style dress is paired with a square shouldered crop blazer, and massive glittering diamond broach fastened at her neck.
Her other jewelry includes her glittering diamond collection of earrings, ring and bracelets.
1950s wiggle skirts (also known as pencil skirts) have a hem that is narrower than the hips so that the wearer walks in tiny steps, with her legs close together, causing one to “sway” or “wiggle” the hips.
This style beautifully shows the outline of the body and creates the classic hourglass silhouette.
Marilyn Monroe Gentlemen Prefer Blondes Outfits #8 – Sweater Dress
Marilyn Monroe’s character rushes to have the film developed.
Piggy, the elderly diamond mine owner, secretly gifts Marilyn Monroe the diamond tiara, which belongs to his wife.
She hides the diamond tiara for safekeeping.
For her fitted sweater dress, large gold earrings and statement gold cuffs are Marilyn Monroe’s accessories.
Marilyn Monroe’s “casual” outfit looks incredibly sexy and glam. We love how the exquisite dress cut and accessories take her cozy sweater dress to the next level.
Marilyn Monroe Gentlemen Prefer Blondes Outfits #9 – Travel Outfit
The ship docks in France, and Marilyn Monroe’s character Loreli and her best friend eagerly go sight seeing.
After a shopping spree, they arrive at their fancy hotel, only to discover that the wife of the diamond mine owner is accusing Marilyn Monroe of stealing her diamond tiara.
Their letter of credit and hotel reservations are canceled by the rich fiancé, and the Private Eye informs them that the gig is up.
Marilyn Monroe’s stunning vintage skirt suit is paired with a matching blue beret cap, white gloves, a black fur shawl, black pumps and statement black earrings.
Marilyn Monroe Gentlemen Prefer Blondes Outfits #10 – Showgirl Costume
The girls get jobs as showgirls in a swanky club in France.
When Marilyn Monroe’s fiancé visits, she gives him the cold shoulder, and he begs to talk to her, saying that he flew the entire Atlantic ocean for her!
Of course he has to stay and watch their hilarious musical number.
Paired with her stunning sleeveless sequined costume, she is also wearing fishnet hoes, and matching sequined costume hats.
Notice the sexy back seam in her fishnet stockings! So sexy!
Her glam shawl is bright yellow and sequin.
Marilyn Monroe Gentlemen Prefer Blondes Outfits #11 – White Robe
Marilyn Monroe’s character goes backstage to change.
Between numbers, Marilyn Monroe’s character changes into a white terry cloth robe with red ribbing that’s tied at the waist.
The red detailing and cut of her robe take this from a normal everyday lounge robe to the next level.
This is truly the most “casual” outfit that Marilyn Monroe wears in this entire movie, and boy does she pull it off!
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Marilyn Monroe Gentlemen Prefer Blondes Outfits #12 – Pink Strapless Dress (“Marilyn Monroe Pink Dress”)
Marilyn Monroe’s character quarrels with her ex-fiancé, and then leaves abruptly to on stage for her next number.
Her millionaire ex-fiancé grabs a seat to watch the show.
Marilyn Monroe wears a dazzling form-fitting strapless evening gown in a bright sugary pink peau d’ange silk fabric, lined with black silk and satin.
She pairs this with extra long pink opera gloves that are two-toned, mostly made of the same pink, with the palm section in a lighter shade of pink suede.
Notice her matching belt that further accentuates her hourglass figure.
Plus that big bow in pink totally works!
Her accessories include jeweled black shoes. She is covered in diamond jewelry, with multiple statement tiered pieces around her neck, long dangling earrings, and dazzling bracelets.
Why is this pink gown one of the most famous dresses of all time?
It has been the inspiration for copycats and parodies, from Madonna’s Material Girl number, to the iconic Barbie, to modern day celebrities, to countless Halloween costumes.
The charming details of this pink strapless dress, coupled with the absolutely over-the-top dazzling collection of diamond jewelry, set against the backdrop of the flashy French club setting, are all reasons why Marilyn Monroe’s “Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend” number are so iconic.
Plus, for Marilyn Monroe fans the pure frivolity of her dance number and her legendary performance continue to captivate, decades later.
Fashion Fun fact!
The iconic Marilyn Monroe pink dress wasn’t the original dress designed for the diamond scene!
The original designs Costume Designer Travilla envisioned were for a very expensive showgirl costume, made of black fish-net bodystocking, nude fabric, and embellished with diamonds. (above)
Why did it get cut?
Some scandalous calendar photographs surfaced of Marilyn Monroe that she posed for as a starving model.
(Well, the $50 she earned actually went towards buying a car).
Nonetheless, Travilla was given the directive to “cover Marilyn Monroe up”!
Marilyn Monroe Gentlemen Prefer Blondes Outfits #13 – Purple Dress
After a lot of drama and laughs involving the diamond tiara going missing, Marilyn Monroe ex-fiancé’s father shows up.
Marilyn Monroe’s character uses her hilarious charm to get his blessing.
“Don’t you know that a man being rich is like a girl being pretty? You wouldn’t marry a girl just because she’s pretty, but my goodness, doesn’t it help?” — Marilyn Monroe’s character Lorelei
Marilyn Monroe’s outfit is a tailored curve hugging deep purple dress.
This is paired with a matching bolero jacket with a high collar, black heels, and, of course, glittering diamond jewelry.
She is carrying black gloves, and her fur shawl.
We love how smart and seductive this engagement outfit is on Marilyn Monroe, as the future Mrs. Millionaire!
Get more Marilyn Monroe 1950s gown and fur style inspiration:
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Marilyn Monroe Gentlemen Prefer Blondes Outfits #14 – Wedding Dress
As the ship sails from France back to America, the Olympian team gathers onboard for a double-wedding.
Marilyn Monroe’s character marries her fiancé, and her friend marries the detective that spent the trip trailing them.
Marilyn Monroe’s romantic vintage wedding dress has a lace bodice, and a three-quarters length full circle skirt.
She pairs this with a white lace fascinator with a veil, and gray suede pumps.
Of course her jewelry includes diamonds and pearls!
We love how the delicate feminine lace of the bodice contrasts with the full ‘heavier’ look of the pleated chiffon skirt.
The result? An overall romantic and elegant style that’s timeless.
This post was all about the Marilyn Monroe Gentlemen Prefer Blondes Outfits and her 1950s fashion
What are your thoughts on the Marilyn Monroe’s costumes and fashion in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes?
Do you prefer her tailored dresses, or showgirl costumes?
Or for die hard Marilyn Monroe fans, perhaps your favorites are her glitzy evening gowns, like the iconic “Marilyn Monroe pink dress” with the huge butterfly bow?
What are your thoughts on Marilyn Monroe’s diamonds?
Fun fact!
Did you know that Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell were also good friends in real life, despite the tabloids?
This true friendship definitely comes through in the film, and is one of the many reasons it is so incredibly charming and sweet.
No diamonds can touch the joy of a girl’s best friend!
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