Sexy Dresses in the Movies

The sexiest movie dresses of all time. Who wore them and when. Here is a list of famous actresses who have worn the sexiest dresses.

Greta Garbo in *Mata Hari* (1931)

Greta Garbo becomes the epitome of sensuality when she appears in a very form-fitting, low-cut outfit that reveals certain parts of her body. Gilbert Adrian was responsible for the oriental-inspired design of the costumes, featuring gold inlays and exquisite accessories; Adrian drew inspiration from the oriental creations of French designer Paul Poiret.

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Vivien Leigh in *Gone with the Wind* (1939)

Designed by Walter Plunkett, the red dress with a sweetheart neckline that highlighted the delicate yet alluring elegance of the legendary Scarlett O’Hara earned her an Oscar nomination.

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Rita Hayworth in *Gilda* (1946)

Designer Jean Louis created the costumes that gave Rita Hayworth her “femme fatale” image. It was the postwar period, and the spectacular costumes throughout the film reflected the need to leave that cruel era behind.In the film’s iconic black satin dress—with bare shoulders and a wide side slit—paired with long gloves, Gilda sings in the famous scene, improvising a mini-striptease that sparked intense passion and became the most memorable striptease in film history.

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Grace Kelly in *To Catch a Thief* (1955)

English director Alfred Hitchcock’s fascination with blonde actresses is well known. Grace Kelly starred in three of Hitchcock’s films: “Strange Trouble,” “Rear Window,” and his final film with her, “To Catch a Thief.” Grace became the director’s muse and friend during the filming of these movies. While filming *To Catch a Thief* in Monaco, the actress met Prince Rainier, and they began a discreet romance that culminated in marriage.

In *Catch a Thief*, Grace Kelly wears a fabulous, flowing dress reminiscent of a Greek goddess, in shades of ice blue with a draped bodice, delicate straps, and a blue scarf designed by Edith Head. This dress was iconic and widely imitated for its elegance and beauty.

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Marilyn Monroe in *The Temptation Lives Above* (1955)

The legendary white dress that Marilyn Monroe made famous in *The Seven Year Itch* was auctioned by Profiles in History, fetching a record $3.2 million; it has been called the most famous dress in film history. This flowing, sexy white dress with a plunging neckline and fitted waist—which Marilyn wore with fierce sensuality—is part of Debbie Reynolds’ private collection.

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Anita Eckberg in *La Dolce Vita* (1960)

One of the most sensual and memorable dresses in history is the one worn by Anita Eckberg in *La Dolce Vita*. It won an Academy Award for Best Costume Design. A form-fitting gown with a plunging neckline and a long, full train is remembered for the famous scene in which Anita jumps into the Trevi Fountain, leaving Marcello Mastroianni flustered and completely mesmerized.

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Audrey Hepburn in *Breakfast at Tiffany’s* (1961)

The black dress Audrey Hepburn wore in *Breakfast at Tiffany’s*. A black satin dress, with a straight neckline and a cutout back by Givenchy, which the actress wore with long gloves, a multi-strand pearl necklace, and large dark sunglasses—and which, thanks to its simplicity and elegance, has transcended the world of cinema to become more than just a simple dress. Even in its day, it was revolutionary, as it presented a woman with a much more understated and streamlined silhouette than that of the Hollywood actresses of the time. But even today, it is the dress and its accessories that make it truly captivating because of the image of confidence and femininity it projects. As an interesting fact, it was auctioned at Christie’s in 2006 for 700,500 euros!

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Kelly Lebrock in *The Woman in Red* (1984)

This dress caused quite a stir and has been imitated many times. The red dress worn by the iconic Kelly LeBrock catapulted her into the most erotic fantasies of 1980s audiences, in the scene where she sensually lifts her dress under the astonished gaze of “Theodore” (Gene Wilder). Some say it’s the modern version of Marilyn Monroe’s iconic white dress.

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Nicole Kidman in *Moulin Rouge* (2001)

The spectacular corsets Nicole Kidman wore in “Moulin Rouge”—black, red, sequined, embroidered, and more… But one stood out above all others: the dazzling corset she wore while singing “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend” perched on a swing, mesmerizing the audience with her neckline embellishments and hair straight out of *The Thousand and One Nights*. It’s no wonder it won the Oscar for Best Costume Design. Baz Luhrmann gave us a beautiful and bittersweet love story in one of his most spectacular films.

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Keira Knightley in *Atonement* (2007)

This garment, designed by Jacqueline Duran for the film, sparked a lot of excitement, and at the time, many bloggers and scholars wrote extensively about its beauty; replicas were even sold online.

The dress doesn’t quite match the fashion of the era that inspired the film (the 1930s), which is perhaps why it’s so appealing in the 21st century; its vintage inspiration aligns closely with today’s rules of seduction. The silk satin—specially dyed by a specialist in London, whose striking emerald green color is the result of combining three shades—simultaneously softens and enhances Keira Knightley’s figure.

It was recognized as one of the most important dresses in the history of cinema for its hypnotic sensuality, which lent a sense of great elegance to the semi-nudity of a stunningly beautiful back.