SOME OF THE MOST ICONIC & PRETTY CINEMATIC DRESSES

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When it comes to memorable cinematic moments, iconic quotes or sassy protagonists may often be the things that stay with us, but what about those iconic and stunning dresses that sometimes are a character unto their own? As tonight is one of Hollywood’s glitziest nights, aka The Oscars, today we’re curating a list that spotlight some of cinema’s most lovely dresses from equally iconic films, or maybe one or two that are underrated.

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SOME OF THE MOST ICONIC & PRETTY CINEMATIC DRESSES. How many of these do you recognize? #PrincessDiaries #TheDevilWearsPrada2 #MovieCostumes #TheForsytes #MovieDresses #CinematicDresses #MovieFashion #CinematicFashion Share on X

I don’t view things with the eye of a seamstress or someone who understands what makes a gown drape well or fit someone “like a glove” as the saying goes, but sometimes it’s okay to view things only as an observer who can offer just a subjective perspective. Plus, just because we may not understand the “why” of something doesn’t mean we cannot make the conclusion

From spunky redheads to women who become actual queens, let’s remember some of those iconic gowns and of course, the ladies who wear them too!

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ICONIC CINEMATIC DRESSES

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ANASTASIA from ANASTASIA, 1997

Adding this title to the list of titles may be strange, but even as an animated feature, Anastasia looks gorgeous in her deep blue opera gown (that has gorgeous albeit animated sparkles!) and those long white gloves. The look is completed with a simple updo, and she looks gorgeous in a dress I wish I could pull off.

Stream, at publication, the Anastasia film with Disney+; or digitally purchase on places like Prime Video

THE BARONESS from THE SOUND of MUSIC

Eleanor Parker is dripping in elegance playing the Baroness in the classic 1965 flick. She may play a possible foil to the romance between the Captain and Maria, but she’s actually a good person as we come to realize, and she gets to wear fabulous gowns while being so.

She never looks more elegant though than in the ball scene when she wears a golden silhouette hugging gown that is accented with beautiful tulle-like features and long evening gloves.

Stream, at publication, The Sound of Music with Disney+; or digitally purchase on places like Prime Video

CINDERELLA from CINDERELLA

Whether it’s the animated film or the 2015 live-action feature, I think it’s safe to say that Cinderella’s ballgown is one of the most iconic ever. The dress gets life and movement and stuns as worn by Lily James in the live-action film. The off the shoulder tulle neckline feature is sprinkled with delicate butterflies, and the soft blue and purple hued coloring is just so beautiful.

Everything about this look sparkles, as it should. Whether it’s the glittery hair or the glittered diamond gown, it glows, and anyone who is a fairy tale fan knows this is the genre with life. I think some may (based on the Internet) may find this gown “basic” or not really worth mentioning, but I think you also have to take nostalgia into account when you see this gown, and based off the 1950s animated feature that did inspire this remake, I think the designer, Sandy Powell, knocks this look out of the park.

The wedding gown Lily James wears is also a stunner, but I don’t think I loved it as much as I thought I would. Still, I love the cream and simple lines, and respect and appreciate the details that went into the florals. Adding that touch of color feels very Cinderella coded.

Stream, at publication, the Cinderella film with Disney+; or digitally purchase on places like Prime Video

LADY MARY CRAWLEY from DOWNTON ABBEY

How to feature just one character and furthermore one gown from a show like Downton Abbey? I would say that it’s really quite impossible. Especially given the material which is six TV show seasons and then three feature films.

Played by Michelle Dockery, I am sure that her wedding gown or perhaps her red gown in the last film is more memorable, but I’m throwing things all the way back to the first TV show season and choosing an unconventional ensemble. The dress I am talking about is Mary’s riding ensemble. Yes, it’s black and yes, it’s not the “normal” choice, but Dockery makes it look elegant and refined and the filming of the gown is also gorgeous.

This said, so many of the ladies look beautiful in this. Elizabeth McGovern wears a cream ensemble that is to die for! Then we have Maggie Smith’s matriarch to Lady Sybil (Jessica Brown Findlay) and her risqué blue pant ensemble, there is much to praise about these costumes.

Stream, at publication, with Masterpiece PBS (on Prime Video) or with the PBS app; or digitally purchase on places like Prime Video

DANIELLE from EVER AFTER

The gorgeous gown Drew Barrymore’s Danielle wears to the prince’s ball is a stunner. The wings and her braided hairstyle, and those realistic glass slippers, well everything is beautiful and dare I say, our hearts break just a little when the dress, which we learn is from Danielle’s mother, seems to be a victim of soaking rain.

Still, until then, Danielle looks gorgeous in the off-the-shoulder golden number, which has lacy details and a lovely pearl sleeve feature. She does indeed look every inch “belle of the ball” in this!

Stream, at publication, the Ever After film with Disney+; or digitally purchase on places like Prime Video

ELIZA DOOLITTLE from MY FAIR LADY

If I had to say, I would say that these cinematic gowns, designed by Cecil Beaton (though he reportedly did find the pearl ball gown at an antique store), like Eliza’s elaborate race day or ball gown ensembles are the dresses one would logically count as most iconic. And this is probably fair. However, it’s Eliza’s far simpler and feminine pink number she wears in the end that I consider gorgeously iconic.

The color and delicate design, like the rosette, is all so pretty. Of course, she also has a hat that couldn’t match more precisely. Audrey Hepburn wears these creations all so elegantly, too.

Digitally purchase this film on places like Prime Video

FRANCES FORSYTE from THE FORSYTES

Putting this gown on the list may be presumptuous since I haven’t seen the upcoming PBS drama The Forsytes, but can we all admit that Tuppence Middleton looks gorgeous and just all around elegant in this pale-yellow ensemble? I also think by the way this one looks, all the praise and hype it can get is worth it because she does look so gorgeous.

You can catch the broadcast debut of this one Sunday March 22 on PBS (check your local listings for the times of this Masterpiece on PBS debut) or you can stream the show beginning March 22 on the PBS app or with the PBS Masterpiece channel through Prime Video.

SAMANTHA MCKENZIE from FIRST DAUGHTER

Sam wears some stunners in this sweet 2004 story about the president’s daughter. Katie Holmes is the portrayer and while all of her gowns are lovely, I think the purple number is the one that stands out because of its bold coloring, its corset bodice and those elegant gloves! She also just looks regal and gorgeous in the ensemble, too.

Stream, at publication, the First Daughter film with Prime Video; or digitally purchase on places like Prime Video

PRINCESS MIA from THE PRINCESS DIARIES

Is there a cinematic list such as this that could be complete without this iconic dress? I’d say not. To be honest, I don’t know that the white A-line tulle dress is my most favored in our collection, but it IS iconic on its own and deserves a mention.

It serves as a kind of confirmation of the choice Anne Hathaway’s Mia makes, and looks very princess appropriate while the gown, made elegant by its gold embroidery, is also very much still Mia even with its elevated elegance. Plus, what little girl didn’t love to spin and twirl in a pretty dress, something this gown makes us fondly think of!

Stream, at publication, The Princess Diaries film with Disney+; or digitally purchase on places like Prime Video

JOY MILLER from THE BEAUTICIAN and the BEAST

I rewatched this title not long ago and was reminded how elegant the gown our heroine, Joy Miller wears to is. I love the tulle skirt peeking out from under the elegant golden bodice topper. Everything else may be a little “too much” (in terms of accessories or hair) for this dress, but it goes with Fran Drescher’s character, which is actually what would later launch her famous TV character Fran Fine in The Nanny.

Stream, at publication, The Beautician and the Beast with Pluto TV; or digitally purchase on places like Prime Video

PAIGE MORGAN from THE PRINCE and ME

I do love Paige’s dress in this 2004 romance. The coloring is pretty, and I think it’s cool that the film shows the dress “in progress” so that we get the idea of how it all comes together. I also think it’s lots of fun, though to many it’s probably insignificant, that the poster shows us the gown without fully showing it.

I think this plays against type since movies often like to do a “grand” reveal of the gown or have the lovely stereotype staircase moment.

Stream, at publication, The Prince and Me with Paramount+ or Pluto TV; or digitally purchase on places like Prime Video

MIRANDA PRIESTLEY from THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA 2

This is a preemptive addition, but I mean, come on! How can one see this poster art and not believe that Meryl Streep (icon) as Miranda Priestley (icon) wouldn’t also wear an iconic dress in her comeback tour? I mean, there is no doubt she won’t own this look.

The red, the fabric, the draping, the drama, all of this looks beautiful and luxurious too.

See this film May 1 only in theaters!

EMILY FOX SETON from THE MAKING of a LADY

Back when I watched this film, I loved it. The mystery, the cast, the costumes (!!), but I have learned since then that it’s not well liked and viewers seem to loathe it. (Although I did also see it has a 6.7 user rating, so…) But all of this is beside the point.

Emily’s (whom Lydia Wilson plays) wedding gown is stunning. I love that it’s both classic and simple while also being elegant and full of beautiful detailing.

Stream, at publication, The Making of a Lady with Masterpiece PBS (on Prime Video); or digitally purchase this on places like Prime Video

SOME OF THE MOST ICONIC & PRETTY CINEMATIC DRESSES. #TheDevilWearsPrada2 #Movies #GoodMovies #TheBuccaneers Share on X

ANNE SHIRLEY from ANNE of GREEN GABLES

While the ‘puffed sleeves’ dress may technically be more iconic (and we do love that baby blue dress and its lacy details) in the cinematic dresses category, I think Anne’s white dress, which also has gorgeous, puffed sleeves, that she wears to recite her poem is the more beautiful gown.

Stream, at publication, Anne of Green Gables with Gazebo TV; or digitally purchase on Prime Video

NAN ST. GEORGE, THE DUCHESS of TINTAGEL from THE BUCCANEERS

This is one of those pivotal moments (which is in episode one of season two) for the newly wed Nan St. George (now with the title of Duchess) because she breaks rules that are never allowed, but her title gives her a kind of protective immunity. During a black and white ball, Nan takes the opportunity to shock everyone by wearing a bright red gown that boasts a long train. She does this not only as her first kind of “big act” as the wife of Theo, but also to deflect attention from the newspaper continuing to report scandalous gossip about her sister.

I really don’t believe that Apple TV’s The Buccaneers is authentic to its period costuming per se, but have to admit this scene, the attitude, the framing and the dress, well it is all pretty epic in a cinematic sense.

Stream, at publication, The Buccaneers seasons 1 – 2 on Apple TV

LADY TREMAINE from CINDERELLA

Is she going to be the only “evil” character on my list? Perhaps, but come on, one has to admit that Cate Blanchett’s version of the character from the 2015 adaptation does have some iconic gowns. Most especially true of her ballroom number in green.

The structured creation is a stunner and the ornate updo pairing is a winner, even if the stepmother is more than a little, well, evil. Add in a pair of gold gloves, some feathers and jewels and costume designer Sandy Powell doesn’t just win with Cinderella, she also wins with Blanchett’s stepmother!

Stream, at publication, the Cinderella film with Disney+; or digitally purchase on places like Prime Video

VIVIAN from PRETTY WOMAN

The red dress Vivian wears from the 1990 iconic film Pretty Woman is very much an iconic gown. I’m not sure how widely the dress is liked, but I think for this film and era, it is very memorable and iconic, plus it is also worn during the whole famous “tease” scene where Richard Gere’s hero snaps the necklace box.

I love Julia Roberts’ (who plays Vivian) updo and the extravagant ruching detail on the sleeves.

Stream, at publication, the Pretty Woman film with Hulu; or digitally purchase on places like Prime Video

Photos: Alamy | Mammoth Screen & MASTERPIECE | Apple TV | Feature Image: Disney | Paramount Pictures

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Your turn! Which cinematic dresses do you count as iconic? Which ones on this list do you think are prettiest or most memorable? How many have we woefully neglected? Share all of your thoughts down below? Let’s talk.  

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