These Marilyn Monroe Costume Ideas Will Make You Win Every Party You Attend
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Thinking of dressing as everyone’s favorite Hollywood bombshell this Halloween? First step: Find a platinum blonde wig and master your best bedroom eyes. Thanks to her signature hair and makeup (and, yup, those pinup proportions!), Marilyn Monroe is one of the most recognizable starlets in pop culture history, and it's no surprise that her look makes for a super easy and glamorous Halloween costume.
Some of Monroe’s most iconic looks come from her films Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and The Seven Year Itch — not to mention her infamous “Happy Birthday, Mr. President” outfit that’s spawned a recent renaissance thanks to Miss Kim K — but we love her classic off-duty style as well that’s more subdued but still every bit as iconic.
Whether you opt for a dramatic ensemble or a more low-key vibe, we have your complete Marilyn Monroe costume guide here. Read on below for some can’t-go-wrong looks to recreate this Halloween. Pro tip: Grab your favorite eyeliner and start practicing your winged cat eye now.
The ‘Niagara’ Wiggle Dress Look
Marilyn’s iconic red dress from the movie Niagara is the perfect way to channel her famous curves. This vintage-inspired wiggle dress, a popular silhouette in the ’50s and ’60s (and, as the name suggests, encourages a daintier walk due to its slimmer bias), will have you feeling like a total Old Hollywood screen siren. We also found a Halloween costume version as an additional option.
➥ Shop the dress, heels, and earrings.
The Gold ‘Gentlemen Prefer Blondes’ Look
Have your eye on the costume contest? There’s no competition with this gilded ensemble that’s based on another scene from Gentleman Prefer Blondes. Add a white faux-fur stole to your Marilyn Monroe costume to keep warm on a cool October night.
➥ Shop the dress, earrings, eyeshadow, and lipstick.
The Iconic ‘The Seven Year Itch’ White Dress Look
Few things are more legendary than this Hollywood moment. Go the classic route by donning Marilyn Monroe’s signature white dress. Any dress with a fit-and-flare silhouette will do, as long as you accessorize with oversized lashes, blonde curls, and a beauty mark. We also found a costume version of the look for those who want a no-brainer.
➥ Shop the dress, heels, earrings, and lashes.
More: Flapper Costumes That’ll Take You Back to the Jazz Age
The ‘Gentlemen Prefer Blondes’ Pencil Dress With Stole
You’ll look nearly identical to the starlet in this vintage-inspired dress that looks just like Monroe’s in Gentleman Prefer Blondes. Plus, it’s a dress you still can wear when the Halloween parties are over.
➥ Shop the dress, wrap, and heels.
The Retro Pinup swimsuit Look
Channel Marilyn’s early modeling days with this retro-inspired swimsuit. It looks just like the one in the photo, and you’ll still get more coverage than the typical hot Halloween-store buy.
Bonus: You can wear this adorable swimsuit to the pool in the summer, too!
➥ Shop the swim top, swim bottoms, heels, and lipstick.
The ‘Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend’ Pink Look
Even those who haven’t seen the movie will recognize this iconic dance number. Show that diamonds really are a girl’s best friend with this bright pink costume that’s loaded up with sparkle. We suggest renting a dress as a cost-friendly alternative. (Floor-length gowns are available, too.)
➥ Rent the dress (or shop a similar one), and shop the necklace and earrings, bracelet, and gloves.
The Off-Duty Cropped Pant Outfit
Keep things low-key and introspective with Marilyn’s well-documented off-duty look that uses items you likely already own. Just pair platinum locks with winged eyeliner, a black turtleneck, and white capri or cigarette pants. Add some coral nail polish to this Marilyn Monroe costume to get you matching all the way down to the mani.
➥ Shop the turtleneck top, white bottoms, and nail polish.
The Dress with Scarf from ‘Gentlemen Prefer Blondes’
Here’s another way to dress as Marilyn’s Lorelei Lee character from Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. While her memorable dress from the film was tangerine, there will be no mistaking this ready-to-go Marilyn Monroe costume version. It even comes with a matching scarf, so you’ll just need some sparkly accessories and a glossy red pout.
➥ Shop the dress, heels, and earrings.
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