Marilyn Monroe Outfits That Were Full Of Hidden Meaning

Marilyn Monroe became known for playing the ditzy blonde in movies like "The Seven Year Itch" and  "How to Marry a Millionaire," but her silver screen persona and iconic fashion were nothing if not intentional. "She led the way for creating moments to get splashed on the front pages," fashion expert Caroline Young told Time. "She was probably one of the first to use dress as a tool for that kind of attention and to be quite clever about it." So, in addition to remaining recognizable today, plenty of the star's iconic ensembles are rife with unexpected backstories and hidden meanings.

Monroe, born Norma Jeane Mortenson, rose to fame in the 1950s as a Hollywood starlet and sex symbol. While only in the spotlight for a relatively short time, she had a major impact on pop culture through her glamorous style and dazzling performances. The LA native contrasted fellow stars like the perpetually chic Audrey Hepburn with her boundary-pushing fashion and curvy (for the time) silhouette. 

Monroe's cultural impact continues to be felt decades after her 1962 death, with style staples such as a curly platinum bob or red lip and beauty mark being instantly recognizable. Plenty of stars continue to take direct inspiration from her, with Madonna channeling the icon in her "Material Girl" music video, and Kim Kardashian controversially donning one of Monroe's original dresses for the 2022 Met Gala. With all this in mind, the little-known context behind these Marilyn Monroe outfits makes them all the more iconic.

Marilyn Monroe's first-ever wedding dress points to her humble origins. After a tumultuous childhood, the LA native married officer James Dougherty in 1942 at just 16-years-old. "[Monroe] wore a pure white, long silken dress, with a short veil," Dougherty wrote in "To Norma Jeane with Love." "It was a borrowed dress, but that didn't matter to either of us" (per People).

Monroe looked majorly different as a young, brunette bride, with her gown contrasting the glamour she would later become known for. In addition to landing among the celebs who are unrecognizable with their natural hair color, the outfit made for a meaningful look back at the star's evolution.

Bikinis were relatively new in the early days of Marilyn Monroe's career, debuting in Paris in 1946. While "The Seven Year Itch" star wore plenty of swimsuits during her modeling days, the Hays Code shaped what actors could wear on the big screen. For a sunbathing scene in "Love Nest," she wore a polka-dotted two-piece by costume designer Renié. 

Though the ensemble was far from risqué by modern standards, director Joseph M. Newman reportedly closed the set after the ensemble generated a crowd of gawking studio employees. In this way, the swimsuit served as a callback to Monroe's modeling roots and a reflection of the actor's sex symbol status.

In 1952, Marilyn Monroe departed from her usual glam to pose in a potato sack. The star's film studio, Twentieth-Century Fox, commissioned Gene Kornmann to take the unlikely snapshots, pairing ribbon-tied heels and sparkly jewelry with the burlap garment. While the photos proved that Monroe could rock literally anything, they're said to be the studio's response to negative press surrounding the star's wardrobe.

Columnists Sheilah Graham and Edith Gwynn wrote scathing reviews of a dress that Monroe wore to the Photoplay Awards in February 1952, deeming her 'cheap and vulgar' (per Los Angeles Mirror). Thus, Monroe's unexpected potato sack ensemble was a much-needed clapback.

Marilyn Monroe was photographed by Earl Theisen in her Twentieth-Century Fox dressing room in 1952, showing off a much more minimalist style. The actor wore a sleeveless turtleneck, dark capris, and a pair of strappy kitten heels, and the low-key image majorly contrasted the bold colors and glittering jewels of her big-screen looks, hinting at the differences between the real Monroe and her public persona. 

The icon actually favored pared-back looks for her personal life, even undergoing a chic style makeover in 1954. Ultimately, this off-duty look pointed to how she utilized fashion to curate her public image.

Marilyn Monroe's strapless pink gown that she wore in the 1953 film "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes" has lived on as one of her most iconic ensembles, but it was originally slated to look majorly different. William Travilla first designed a very risque, jewel-dripping number that was inspired by the character's showgirl profession. 

However, Monroe made headlines in 1952 when a nude photo she took in 1949 was published in a calendar, leading Twentieth Century Fox to do damage control. Travilla was tasked with creating a new design in only a few days, creating a silky ensemble that struck a balance between modesty and glamour.

Marilyn Monroe caused quite the stir when she wore a golden sunburst gown to the Photoplay Awards in 1953, wearing a figure-hugging garment and revealing, V-shaped neckline. The number was actually designed by William Travilla for "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes," but is only seen briefly from behind during a dance scene with Charles Coburn, as it was deemed too inappropriate.

Though the gown was slightly altered for the public appearance, Monroe's choice to wear the revealing number signified how she pushed the boundaries of her era. She even posed for a series of color portraits in the pleated piece, which show the gown in its tantalizing, golden glory.

Marilyn Monroe wore one of her most suggestive looks in the 1959 film "Some Like It Hot," with costume designer Orry-Kelly designing the beaded illusion dress that left little to the imagination. The piece gave moviegoers a lot to look at as Monroe performed "I Want to Be Loved By You," but it also housed a few secrets.

Even though the actor was pregnant during filming, and would later miscarry, reviews from the era only raved about her fine figure. The dress also included a heart cut-out on the rear that wasn't filmed for the movie. It's believed to be a private joke between Monroe and Kelly.

In May 1962, Marilyn Monroe performed a breathy rendition of "Happy Birthday" at John F. Kennedy's 45th birthday celebration. Alongside her sensual performance, the actor stole the spotlight in her sheer gown. The Jean Louise number featured rhinestones against nude fabric, giving the impression of sparkles against bare skin. 

While the scandalous ensemble made major headlines, it also paralleled the star's dreams of being naked in the spotlight. "My impulse to appear naked and my dreams about it had no shame or sin in them," she wrote, per "Marilyn in Fashion" by Christopher Nickens. "I wanted them to see me naked because I was ashamed of my clothes."