Freddie Leiba’s Top 22 Movie Dresses

The LA Times Magazine has rounded up the 22 most iconic dresses in movie history … according to self-professed fashion pundit Freddie Leiba, anyway. There are, of course, the stalwarts that have deservedly made every such list time and time again: the Jean Harlow Dinner at Eight, Audrey Hepburn’s Sabrina and Breakfast at Tiffany’s, both of Marilyn’s prettiest pinks (Niagara and Gentlemen Prefer Blondes) and, everyone’s favorite prom dress, Liz’s From Here to Eternity. From the modern end of the cinematic spectrum, there is Sharon Stone’s essential Basic Instinct number (a resounding hell yeah) and Demi Moore’s strappy black Indecent Proposal (a resounding hell no … come on, we’re talking of all time, here!)

There are, however, some curiously glaring omissions: No Grace Kelly? No Scarlett O’Hara?

Freddie Lieba, are you sure you’re gay?

Have a gander and have your say:

(Or, for a more cheeky and, in our opinion, much more fun look at celluloid costumery, check out the Self-Styled Siren’s ten great moment in costume design.)

harlow — Leiba loves Harlow’s supremely sexy white dress from DINNER AT EIGHT (1933) … but for some reason chose this publicity photo for RED HEADED WOMAN (1932).

dietrich — Marlene Dietrich as Shanghai Lily in Josef von Sternberg’s dizzyling decadent SHANGHAI EXPRESS (1932)

Ginger Rogers in a publicity pose for LADY IN THE DARK (1944), wearing what was, at that time, the most expensive film costume ever designed … courtesy of Edith Head.

Says Lieba: “You had the best of everything in BREAKFAST AT TIFFANYS(1961)—Audrey Hepburn, Givenchy, New York City, Tiffany’s in the ’60s, a score by Henry Mancini...and this one look. Monumental.”

monroe — Marilyn Monroe all pretty in pink in GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES (1953).

Elizabeth Taylor as Maggie the Cat in CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF (1958) Says Leiba: “It had an extraordinary cut just perfect for Elizabeth Taylor’s figure … nothing distracts from the purity of the dress.”

One thought on “Freddie Leiba’s Top 22 Movie Dresses”

Travel back in time and check out Kay Francis in Early Warners Brothers films ( before Betty Davis was crowned queen). Kay and her clothes are sensational.