Marilyn Monroe the Prince and the Showgirl – All her Glitzy Outfits
This post may contain affiliate links
All about the Marilyn Monroe dress, Marilyn Monroe aesthetic, fashion, and costumes in the Prince and the Showgirl.
This post is all about Marilyn Monroe fashion in the Prince and the Showgirl
Marilyn Monroe The Prince and the Showgirl 1957 is a romantic comedy with fabulous vintage fashion.
Marilyn Monroe plays the beautiful showgirl Elsie who captures the attention of the visiting European Regent King, who is in England for a royal coronation.
However the arrogant Regent King gets more than he bargained for.
The blonde bombshell not only discovers a secret coup underway, but also captures his heart.
Given the movie is set in 1911, the vintage fashion outfits are a rare blending of 1950s style with 1900’s fashion that is shown off to full advantage on Marilyn Monroe’s legendary curves.
Although Marilyn Monroe wasn’t nominated for an Academy Award in America for this film, yet she won the equivalent awards in France and Italy for her performance.
What did Marilyn Monroe wear in The Prince and the Showgirl 1957?
In The Prince and the Showgirl, Marilyn Monroe’s vintage wardrobe ranges from retro petticoats and corsets to showgirl outfits, and a stunning mermaid style evening gown.
Marilyn Monroe’s fashion accessories include long opera gloves, a dramatic day hat, glittery jewelry, gorgeous fur stoles, and an entire collection of royal seals.
Given this film is set in 1911, Marilyn Monroe has long blonde hair, which falls to her waist.
She typically styles her hair with curls and an updo, instead of her signature short hairstyle.
With the exception of her stage makeup look, Marilyn Monroe’s makeup style in the film is typically pink lips and subtly darkened eyelashes.
This is a more natural make-up style, than her typical dramatic dark eyes and red lips.
Who designed the clothes for the Prince and the Showgirl 1957?
The talented British costume designer, Beatrice Dawson, designed the costumes and wardrobe, including the white mermaid gown that Marilyn Monroe wears in the Prince and the Showgirl.
Marilyn Monroe Dress in the Prince and the Showgirl – Her Vintage Style Outfit: Tan Dress Costume
The Regent King is visiting England for the British royal coronation.
That evening he attends the theater, and goes backstage to meet the cast.
Marliyn Monroe’s character, Elsie, waits in trepidation, as the royal Regent King makes his way down the line, afraid she’ll have to speak to him.
When he finally steps in front of her, she bows and her shoulder strap snaps!
Flustered, she clutches the broken strap to keep her bodice up.
Marilyn Monroe is wearing a tan fitted dress with a dazzling criss-cross bodice that is embroidered with sequined flowers.
Her dress has statement buttons down the side and is paired with long matching gloves.
She is also wearing an extravagant period hat with flowers, twigs (yes, you heard that right!) and fur.
Her earrings are simple drop pearls.
Notice her dramatic showtime makeup with the bright rouge on her cheeks and blue eyeshadow.
This is not your typical Marilyn Monroe makeup style!
Need more fabulous Old Hollywood fashion inspo?
Marilyn Monroe Niagara – Her Sizzling 1950s Fashion
Marilyn Monroe Style Dress in the Prince and the Showgirl – Her Vintage Fashion: Corset Negligee
Later, while changing in her dressing room, Marilyn Monroe’s character, Elsie, receives a letter.
It is an invitation to spend the evening with the Regent King at the embassy.
Marilyn Monroe is wearing a vintage corset style negligee with a contrasting white bodice.
In this candid behind the scenes shot, Marilyn Monroe has her long hair down (with rather obvious hair extensions!) and she is wearing very natural make-up, without her typical black lined eyes and red lips.
Need more fabulous Marilyn Monroe style inspiration?
Marilyn Monroe Fashion in There’s No Business Like Show Business
Marilyn Monroe Dress in the Prince and the Showgirl – Her Vintage Style Outfit: Petticoats
Later that evening, Marilyn Monroe’s character changes her outfit multiple times, giving us a look at her petticoat.
Notice the frills on the bodice and lacy ruffles hemming her petticoat.
We also adore her vintage white gartered hoes with the bow detailing and her silver vintage shoes.
A British foreign aid official arrives and starts to lecture her on proper etiquette for addressing the Regent King.
This includes not speaking, unless spoken to.
Need more Old Hollywood style inspiration?
Marilyn Monroe Some Like it Hot Dress Outfits – 8 Spectacular Vintage Style Outfits
Marilyn Monroe Style Dress in the Prince and the Showgirl – Her Vintage Fashion: White Evening Dress
Marilyn Monroe’s character finally decides on a white mermaid ball gown.
This is made of crème silk, and has sheer organza sleeves, and a plunging sweetheart neckline.
It is decorated with seed pearls, and glittering rhinestones and beads.
The dress graces the floor with a voluminous and seductive ivory satin mermaid tail hem.
Notice the alluring criss-cross pattern on the bodice and how the sleeves are sheer.
Marilyn Monroe looks absolutely beautiful.
This vintage style dress is timeless and would turn just as many heads today on the red carpet!
Before stepping outside, she pulls on a bright purple frilly shawl with pink embroidered flowers.
(This piece of clothing hints at an earlier Edwardian time period and likely reminds you of drapes from your Great Grandma’s house. Haha.)
Of course, being Marilyn Monroe, she totally pulls off this vintage frill piece with elegant aplomb!
Fun fact!
Marilyn Monroe and her love interest on screen, Sir Laurence Olivier, did not get along on set.
He would get angry and frustrated at her for forgetting lines and arriving late.
He really set off her temper one day when he told her to “just be sexy”.
Well, she sure got even, by delivering one of her best acting performances ever!
Marilyn Monroe Style Dress in the Prince and the Showgirl – Her Vintage Fashion: “Sheet Pajamas”
The next morning Marilyn Monroe’s character rolls out of bed and wanders into the other room wrapped in a frilly sheet.
It’s rare that you see Marilyn Monroe with so little make-up on and long hair extensions.
Does the color remind you of another famous hot pink dress that Marilyn Monroe wore?!
Notice the embroidered roses and royal arms on the bright barbie pink sheet….
Talk about slightly cringe vintage style.
Later the Regent King’s son, the Prince, comes in and asks her to dial a number for the ambassador.
He then speaks swiftly in German.
After he hangs up, Marilyn Monroe’s character translates what he said.
He’s planning a coup and will overthrow his father and take over the country.
The Prince is terrified that she will tell his father.
But she doesn’t care about this secret, as she says that there are always revolutions in that country.
Marilyn Monroe Dress in the Prince and the Showgirl – Her Vintage Style Outfit: White Evening Dress & Trenchcoat
Marilyn Monroe requests a cover-up before going outside.
They find one from the housemaid.
Marilyn Monroe pulls on a tan trench coat over her evening gown.
The resulting outfit is an interesting mix of vintage evening elegance with casual classic.
Do you think it works?
Need more gorgeous, and unexpected, vintage style inspiration?
Marilyn Monroe Gentlemen Prefer Blondes Outfits – All her Gorgeous Glam Dresses
Marilyn Monroe Style Dress in the Prince and the Showgirl – Her Vintage Fashion: Evening Gown + Fur Wrap
The queen decides that Marilyn Monroe will be her lady in waiting at the coronation.
The queen adds a glittering diamond choker and extravagant diamond necklace to Marilyn’s outfit, plus a fur wrapper trimmed with feathers and white gloves.
A fancy clip-in veil and a royal seal are the finishing touches.
Notice how the simple addition of jewelry, gloves, and the glam wrap completely changes the look.
Fun fact!
There were three to four copies of this dress in various sizes since her weight was fluctuating so much during the filming of the Prince and the Showgirl.
This was because she was fighting a number of illnesses that caused drastic water retention.
Sadly, since she her dream was to be a mother, she also suffered a miscarriage during the filming. (She was married to the playwright Arthur Miller at the time).
Marilyn Monroe Dress in the Prince and the Showgirl – Her Vintage Style Outfit: White Evening Dress + Tiara
Later that evening the young prince invites Marilyn Monroe’s character to the embassy ball, after he realizes that she is keeping his secret.
(His plan to overthrow his father and take his throne).
Of course for the grand occasion, her mermaid evening gown needs additional fashion accessories!
For the ball, Marilyn Monroe is wearing her stunning white mermaid gown, with a glittering diamond choker, statement necklace, diamond earrings and diamond bracelets on top of her gloves.
She also is wearing a dramatic purple sash with an important royal seal, as well as glittering royal tiara.
As if she didn’t before, now she looks even more like a true fairytale princess!
She also whisks out a matching white lace fan.
As the Regent King takes her out on the floor for a dance, she proceeds to negotiate on his son’s behalf for his asks (a motorcycle and democratic election) to bring peace to Europe.
Over the course of the evening the Regent King starts to fall for Marilyn Monroe’s character, and she definitely has fallen for him.
He reluctantly agrees to make peace with his son, as he prepares to depart back to his country.
The next morning, he sadly kisses her goodbye, and tells her that in eighteen months he plans to abdicate the throne to his son, and he will be free to do as he chooses.
She eagerly gushes that her showgirl contract ends then, so she will be free too.
This post was all about the Marilyn Monroe dress, fashion, and costumes in the Prince and the Showgirl.
What are your thoughts on the Marilyn Monroe dress, fashion, and costumes in the Prince and the Showgirl?
Given her glam vintage wardrobe, which looks are your favorite?
Other posts you might like:
- How to Dress Like the 50s with Jeans
- All 5 Iconic Audrey Hepburn Wedding Dress Styles – from Her Personal Life and Movies
- 15 Sexy Marilyn Monroe Bikini Outfits | Your Sizzling Retro Swimwear Guide
- 33 Bombshell Marilyn Monroe Sweater Outfits from the 1940s – 1960s
- Marilyn Monroe How to Marry a Millionaire – Your Guide to 1950s Glam
You’ll Also Love
