Guide To The Most Iconic Celebrity Dresses: How To Get The Looks Yourself On The High Street

The worlds of fashion and celebrity have always been closely intertwined - it’s fair to say that there have been some incredible celebrity fashion moments over the last few decades. From the big screen to the red carpet, female stars all over the world have made themselves known with a selection of unforgettable women’s dresses— but which are the most iconic?

From Monroe to Markle, we’ve chosen the most renowned and inspiring dresses ever to hit the headlines – and showed you how to recreate these iconic looks yourself on the high street.

Marilyn Monroe

Revered for her talent, unique sense of style and scandalous endeavours (both on and off-screen), this pop culture icon remains a firm favourite in fashion even today – but which of her outfits is the most iconic of all? For many of us, Monroe’s white cocktail dress in The Seven Year Itch is an image that completely encapsulates the actress’ appeal and spirit. The sleeveless and backless number, designed by William Travilla, featured a plunging neckline, halter bodice and below the knee skirt-risqué for its time. This elegant, slightly racy outfit still inspires fashion designers today and was even sold at auction in 2011 for $4.6 million!

When opting for a high-street dress that captures the Marilyn effect, go for a vintage vibe. A vintage vibe dress will have a distinct elegance to it and look ideal for a fun night out with the girls. Pleated midi skirts or lace embellishments give off a lovely retro feel. Marilyn makes up for her modest hemline by showing off her arms and shoulders – copy this with a plunging bardot neckline and finish off with some mid-heel sandals and a floral 50’s style hair slide.

Beyoncé

Queen B is always a step ahead when it comes to her art and her sense of style is exactly the same. We were wowed by the sheer, jewelled dress that she wore to the 2015 Met Gala. This fitted, backless Givenchy gown was set off perfectly with carefully placed multi-coloured gems which dispersed gradually until stopping at her heeled feet.

Although somewhat few occasions call for a crystallised, see through gown, there’s no reason you can’t give your wardrobe a glamourous boost with something almost as extravagant. Focus on the embellishments of the dress to emulate Beyoncé’s look – styles such as a metallic maxi dress or diamante bodycon will stand out in a similar way – creating an eye-catching look that’s perfect for a night out on the town. Rather than opting for see-through or sheer material, why not go for a nude coloured gown that you can pair with some matching heels and a clutch bag?

Jennifer Lopez

The fashion world was brought to a standstill at the 42^nd Grammy Awards in 2000, when Jlo wore that green, silk chiffon gown. This beautiful dress, designed by Donatella Versace, featured a jungle print pattern and daring plunge neckline which opened all the way down to the singer’s navel – secured with a green sparkling brooch. Fashionistas all over the world went crazy for this daring, innovative dress. According to former Google chairman, Eric Schmidt, it was the most popular search query ever and even led to the launch of Google Image Search! Noted by many as a turning point in Versace’s career, copying this iconic look is easy.

Silk chiffon dresses create a flowing silhouette that looks flattering on all body shapes and sizes. Choose a style with a long hemline at the back to show off your legs. Selecting an asymmetric cut will also recreate the daring appeal of the original – and make sure you pick out a bold colour to really stand out from the crowd. Tropical prints are extremely popular this season – although animal patterns will work just as well. Long sleeves will help give this look a touch of class and elegance by balancing out the amount of skin exposed. Don’t feel as though you have to go as low at the front as J-Lo, though. While a plunge neckline will certainly add a touch of glamour to an outfit, you can get the same effect with a simple v-neck by enhancing your dress with key pieces of statement jewellery and a pair of high heels.

Meghan Markle

Meghan Markle’s wedding to Prince Harry was watched by 18 million viewers in the UK alone, with many tuning in to catch that elusive first look at the bride’s wedding dress. But in fact, it was Meghan’s second outfit choice that really got people talking. The new bride chose a sleeveless, silk crepe, high-neck gown designed by Stella McCartney that draped effortlessly over her small frame – and it’s a style that many of us would love to have in our own wardrobes.

The sleeveless, halter-neck style allows you to show off your shoulders and works well when paired with a midi or maxi dress, to show off just the right amount of skin. You don’t have to stick with white, of course. Purple is a very popular colour this fashion season and combining it with a pair of elegant mid-heels and just a few pieces of jewellery – perhaps some sparkling rings and matching droplet earrings – will let you emulate the understated, chic vibe of this outfit. If you’re attending a more casual get together, go for a shorter skirt or one with a frilled high/low hemline.

Britney Spears

We’ve never forgotten the 2001 American Music Awards for Britney’s amazing denim dress. Back when Britney and Justin were the most famous celebrity couple, her every fashion moment was looked at – and this is one of the most iconic of them all. Styles like a ball gown, Britney’s floor length, sleeveless dress featured a metallic detailed belt and a fitted bodice. If denim is your thing or you just love alternative takes on celeb outfits, why not try out the high street version.

You can tone down the formality of this look by choosing a shirt-style dress or pinafore in light blue denim. A waist belt will pull you in for a curvaceous figure outline. Get the look on your next big night out by opting for a fitted, mini style that can be paired with a good pair of stiletto heels, or go for a shift dress in black denim with thinner straps to achieve a blend of high fashion denim style and low-maintenance.

Cher

Never being one to shy away from the spotlight, Cher certainly didn’t disappoint when she stepped out at the 1986 Academy Awards. The singing legend was asked to present the award for Best Supporting Actor and made sure all eyes would be on her with a jewel encrusted black gown, complete with matching feathered headpiece by designer Bob Mackie.

Featuring a criss-cross detail bralette and a figure hugging skirt, the outfit was shockingly daring for the Oscars and has gone down in history as one of the most famous celebrity outfits ever.

Confidence is needed to really embrace the essence of this stunning look. Showcase your figure by pairing a long, side-split skirt with a lace bralette, or go for a cut-out midriff maxi dress. You can forgo the feathered headwear, swapping it for a diamante headband and up the glamour stakes by adding a pair of embellished singback heels.

Cher made her daring outfit work perfectly for the sophisticated Academy Awards by pairing her exposed midriff with a loose fitting jacket – you can get the same effect with a chiffon kimono.