The most iconic polka dot dresses in cinema

A star print of the 1950s, the polka dot remains a wardrobe essential today. With its retro vibe, it is the charming asset of an elegant, feminine look, perfect for sunny days. The print is popular in cinema too. Here are the most legendary polka dot dresses spotted on the silver screen, from Julia Roberts's pretty brown look in Pretty Woman to Marilyn Monroe's white dress in  The Seven Year Itch…

Joan Crawford in “Mildred Pierce” (1945)

In this “film noir” by Michael Curtiz, Joan Crawford plays a brave mother who puts her life on hold to take care of her daughter. Recently separated from her husband, she opens her own restaurant, which she spends all her time running. One day, she meets a man who promises her a dreamy life. She marries him, although she has no feelings for him, hoping to secure a stable future for her daughter. Her incredible performance won Joan Crawford the Oscar for Best Actress. Among her many flamboyant outfits, retracing the social rise of the character, we remember her beige dress with chocolate brown polka dots. The dress was auctioned in 2013 by Bonhams, with an estimated price between 12 000 and 17 000 euros.

Marilyn Monroe in “The Seven Year Itch” (1955)

A summer in New York. To escape from the heat, people spend a few days in the countryside. This is the case of the wife and son of Richard Sherman, who stayed in the city to take care of his publishing house. Although he is tempted by the young women he meets, he promises himself not to give him. Until the day he meets his upstairs neighbour, a beautiful blond woman on whom he projects all his fantasies, putting his marriage on the line. As “the girl”, Marilyn Monroe used her natural charm in one of the most iconic scenes of the 7th art: the one where she is standing on a subway grate with her white dress flying up. Another iconic dress: the polka dot dress she wears when she first appears in the film. Wearing a white dress with blue polka dots, designed by the 20th Century Fox, designer, Travilla, all eyes were on her. 

Sophia Loren in “That Kind of Woman” (1959)

Another icon, another polka dot dress. In That Kind of Woman by Sidney Lumet, Sophia Loren plays a kept woman who falls in love with a soldier on the train to New York, during the Second World War. In New York, she spends a perfect day with this charming soldier, who will soon leave for war. Wearing a beautiful polka dot dress, Kay lives a few hours of happiness before rejoining her old “benefactor."

Julia Roberts in “Pretty Woman” (1990)

In 1990, Pretty Woman was released. This unique love story, heavily criticized at first,between a prostitute and a rich businessman, seduced an entire generation. It made Julia Roberts the most popular actress in Hollywood. Among Vivian's cult looks, we remember her outrageous crop top dress she wears at the beginning of the film, the sumptuous red dress she wears to the opera,  and the elegant chocolate brown dress with white polka dots she wears to play polo. Transformed, the call girl played a society woman for a few hours, and opted for a chic, timeless look. With matching white hat and gloves and a leather belt, we would wear this dress today to any garden party.

Laura Dern in “Sailor and Lula” (1990)

At the end of the cult film by David Lynch, Lula Fortune (Laura Dern) became a mother and was waiting for the return of her lover (Nicolas Cage), just out of prison. As he leaves to protect her, she watches him walk away… until he comes back, jumping on car roofs and singing Love Me Tender by Elvis Presley. A cult scene. To go with her character's flamboyance, Laura Dern chose a sexy outfit: bright red lipstick, red heels, and a black and white polka dot dress. A deliciously retro look we still love.

Also on Vogue.fr :
Why everyone will be wearing polka dots this season
Valentino's polka dot espadrilles

Translated by Maria Atallah