12 Cinematic Gowns That Leaves A Monumental Mark On Pop Culture

There are many things that make a movie cinematic history. The leading men and women, the captivating stories, the astonishing special effects. And of course, the props.
Think about it. James Bonds looks dashing in tuxes. Superman is not Superman without the S on his chest. And Indiana Jones is not himself without a whip.
Things are a bit tricky with the leading ladies. There are lots of memorable leading ladies in Hollywood history. Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, and Elizabeth Taylor are all top-billing actresses. And they have put on some of the most glorious, and expensive, gowns in their movies.
These gowns are so stunningly beautiful they deserve their own pages in the Hollywood cinematic history book. With high-quality material and meticulously-made details, these gowns and dresses are so famous they permanently leave a monumental mark on pop culture. So, check out these iconic movie dresses in movies.

#1 Aladdin (2019)

Source: © Aladdin / Walt Disney Pictures and co-producers

While the majority of the ladies of Agrabah wear Arabian-inspired clothing, Princess Jasmine's dresses are inspired by the more baroque style prevalent in South Asia. This was a homage to her mother, who was from the nearby kingdom of Shehrabad.
Designer Michael Wilkinson went around the Middle East, Africa, Turkey, and Pakistan in search of inspiration and real materials for the costumes for Disney's Aladdin live-action adaptation. As a result, Jasmine’s fuchsia and coral gown was made of silk, had paisley motifs, and was embellished with beads and embroidery.

#2 The Princess Switch (2018)

Source: © The Princess Switch / Netflix and co-prducers

Luminita Lungu's gorgeous and romantic evening gown is head-turning. Unlike the tight, short skirts, Luminita’s is rather simple and natural, but it still manages to look attractive and feminine.
The layers of white tulle on the skirt offer richness and substance to the outfit without adding too much weight. The embroidered flowers and the sweetheart neckline give the entire character a delicate air of femininity, although in a subtle way.

#3 Beauty and the Beast (2017)

Source: © Beauty and the Beast / Mandeville Films and co-producers

Disney Princess Belle’s signature look is her billowing yellow ballroom gown. But when we saw Emma Watson’s take on the legendary princess, we had to admit that the producer's decision was a little edgy.
In the live-action, Emma Watson dons a lovely white gown with painted flowers on the bodice and skirt, as well as some fabric flowers in the same tone. The elegant, nearly translucent sleeves of the dress are also embellished with flowers.

#4 Mirror, Mirror (2012)

Source: © Mirror Mirror / Relativity Media and co-producers

Lilly Collins made for the best on-screen Snow White in Mirror, Mirror. As a result, she wears some stunning and colorful outfits that charmed the audience. Under the flowery pattern skirt, there is a true corset and a wireframe to give the garment extra lift.
Eiko Ishioka created the outfit shown in our collection above. The embroidered work, puffed sleeves, skirt, and bodice transformed the garment into a piece of art that needed around 25-35 yards (or approximately 22-32 meters) of fabric to complete.

#5 Snow White and the Huntsman (2012)

Source: © Snow White and the Huntsman / Roth Films and co-producers

The clothes in Snow White and the Huntsman are stunning, but one design particularly drew moviegoers’ attention. The memorable gown was worn by Charlize Theron as the evil witch in Snow White and the Huntsman.
Colleen Atwood created this magnificent outfit. They were made with fabrics from all over the world and unusual ornaments like beetle shells to capture the metamorphosis she goes through during the story.

#6 The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005)

Source: © The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe / Walt Disney Pictures and co-producers

Beautiful gowns aren't only for princesses. The White Witch, portrayed by Tilda Swinton in the Chronicles of Narnia, is a witch with a dreamlike gown. The outfits she wears wonderfully portray how stone-cold she is, yet with a distinct blend of strength and mystique.
It was created by cinematic costume designer Isis Mussenden. All the textiles used to create this incredible sculpture were dyed in order to replicate the unusual hue of the ice. The dress's first layers were composed of velvet, the second felted wool and silk, and the third voluminous lace. This adds a touch of beauty and grandeur to the Witch image.

#7 The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement (2004)

Source: © The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement / Walt Disney Pictures and co-prducers

In The Princess Diaries 2, the lavish dress that Princess Amelia of Genovia wears during her carnation was one of kind. It’s long, in light tones, with ornate gold embroidery and two bows on the shoulders. These bows held a long cloak that is several meters long that trailed behind her, making her appear like a genuine princess.
There was no escaping the gorgeous gown worn by actress Anne Hathaway.But that is not the only lavish detail of the dress. Her jewelry is also genuine too. No props for the Queen!

#8 Titanic (1997)

Source: © Titanic / Twentieth Century Fox and co-producers

As you may recall, this is the magnificent gown that Kate Winslet wears from the moment she boarded the Titanic until it sinks. The so-called "sinking dress" was constructed of chiffon in cherry and black hues and embellished with rhinestones.
Making Deborah Lynn Scott's exquisite gown was quite a task. 24 duplicates had to be made using various materials. This was done so that the finished gown would appear immaculate, both wet and dry. Kate Winslet's famous dress had a final auction price of more than $300,000.

#9 To Catch a Thief (1955)

Source: © To Catch a Thief / Paramount Pictures

Designer Edith Head made this godly gown for Grace Kelly. It was made of chiffon in various hues of blue and conceals a corset with tiny straps behind its forms and delicate folds of cloth. In addition, the actress forwent wearing all accessories, keeping the look natural.
The dress’s color was distinct and vibrant, and far from common for evening wear in this era. However, this accentuates the actress's attractiveness at all times, while also highlighting her character’s coldness and distance.

#10 Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953)

Source: © Gentlemen Prefer Blondes / Twentieth Century Fox and co-poducers

"Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend" is one of the most iconic musical numbers ever! While Marilyn looks stunning as always, her pink dress was what most gentlemen remember her in when they remember the movie. The dress is a pink satin strapless floor-length gown with a daring split and a huge bow at the lower back.
Even though this dress is lovely, it was not the one Marilyn had planned to wear during the number. Travilla completed this masterpiece just two days before the filming of the scene began. It was then auctioned off with a starting offer of $150,000 to $250,000, however, the final amount is said to have been significantly more.

#11 Ziegfeld Girl (1941)

Source: © Ziegfeld Girl / Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) and co-producers

Adrian Adolph Greenburg, also known as Adrian, designed this particular dress. Between 1928 and 1941, he was the official costume designer for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. He was also responsible for the spectacular elements shown in The Wizard of Oz, such as Dorothy's iconic red shoes.
Hedy Lamarr's exquisite dream dress has just as much charm and flair as Dorothy's red heels. The dozens of stars cover the design of the cloth as well as the actress's accessories light up the scene. And her sleeves are several meters long, which creates a majestic starry waterfall.

#12 Gone with the Wind (1939)

Source: © Gone with the Wind / Selznick International Pictures and co producers

Vivien Leigh donned a variety of dresses throughout Gone with the Wind. They were all created by the influential Californian costume designer Walter Plunkett. While they're all lovely, the green garment during this scene is particularly head-turning.
Plunkett was an excellent tailor, meticulous in his work. To make the dress seems to have been made by an amateur, you can see and even feel how quickly everything was done. For extra details, the dress was even really placed in the sun for a time to make it seem weathered.