Ranking The Top 6 Most Expensive Dresses Ever Worn by Celebrities.
Some dresses leave a lasting mark on fashion history, becoming more than just garments—they evolve into cultural icons. Whether it’s a red carpet appearance, a film scene, or a famous event, certain dresses transcend their designer origins to become symbols of influence, artistry, and even political statements.
These gowns can change the trajectory of a career, a designer’s fate, or a moment in time, all while remaining etched in the collective memory. From the classic elegance of Audrey Hepburn to Marilyn Monroe’s iconic dresses, here’s a look at the most expensive dresses worn by celebrities.
6. Judy Garland’s Dorothy Wizard Of Oz Dress
Price: $1.56 Million
Photo: MGM/Warner Bros
Judy Garland’s gingham dress from The Wizard of Oz holds immense cultural weight. The blue-and-white dress, designed by MGM’s Adrian, wasn’t just a costume—it became a symbol of cinematic history. Out of the ten dresses made for the film, the one worn by Garland in the famous yellow brick road scenes is the most iconic. The dress, which sold for $490,000 in 2012, later fetched $1.56 million in a 2015 auction, further solidifying its legacy. Another version of the dress, which surfaced decades later, caused legal battles but also became a high-value collector’s item.
5. Nicole Kidman’s 1997 Oscars Dress
Price: $2 Million
Photo: ABC Network
Nicole Kidman’s bold appearance at the 1997 Academy Awards in a chartreuse dress by John Galliano for Christian Dior remains one of the most memorable fashion moments in Oscars history. At a time when other attendees played it safe with muted tones, Kidman’s striking gown introduced the world to Galliano’s daring creativity and revolutionized red carpet fashion. The dress’s price tag? An astounding $2 million. Despite early mockery from the press, it reshaped how red carpet appearances were perceived, with designers and celebrities alike realizing the power of fashion statements over tradition.
4. Jennifer Lawrence’s 2013 Oscars Dress
Price: $4 Million
Photo: ABC Network/Oscars
Jennifer Lawrence’s $4 million petal-pink Dior gown from the 2013 Oscars is unforgettable—not just for its price, but for the serendipitous tumble that Lawrence took on her way to the stage. The strapless, voluminous gown became the focus of attention after Lawrence’s stumble and subsequent Oscar win. It wasn’t just the dress that caught the public’s eye, but the moment itself, making it one of the most memorable fashion moments in Academy Awards history. The gown solidified Lawrence’s place in the world of fashion, and Dior’s investment in her for the evening paid off in iconic style.
3. Audrey Hepburn’s My Fair Lady Ascot Dress
Price: $4.5 Million
Photo: CBS/Warner Bros.
Audrey Hepburn’s black-and-white Ascot dress from My Fair Lady set the bar for costume design in Hollywood. Designed by Cecil Beaton, the gown’s Edwardian cut and dramatic wide-brimmed hat became emblematic of Hepburn’s effortless grace. The dress, which played a significant role in the film’s win for Best Costume Design, was preserved for decades and eventually sold at auction for $4.5 million in 2011. Its iconic status in fashion and film history has only grown, with this one piece becoming a benchmark for elegance.
2. Marilyn Monroe's Seven-Year Itch Dress
Price: $4.6 Million
Photo: 20th Century Studios
The dress Marilyn Monroe wore in The Seven Year Itch is among the most iconic pieces of film memorabilia ever created. Its white pleated halter design, designed by William Travilla, became legendary when Monroe stood over a subway grate, and the breeze lifted the skirt—capturing a timeless image. The dress has since become a pop culture icon, often recreated in fashion and media. After being preserved by Debbie Reynolds for over four decades, it sold for $4.6 million at auction in 2011, cementing its status as one of the most expensive and recognized dresses of all time.
1. Marilyn Monroe’s ‘Happy Birthday, Mr. President’ Dress
Price: $4.8 Million
Photo: Cecil Stroughton/ White House Photographs
The most expensive dress in history is Marilyn Monroe’s nude-colored gown worn at President John F. Kennedy’s 1962 birthday celebration. Designed by Jean Louis and covered with over 2,500 hand-sewn rhinestones, this dress was sewn directly onto Monroe’s body for the event. Monroe’s sultry rendition of “Happy Birthday” to the President was a performance that has since become iconic, with the gown earning its place in both fashion and American history. In 2016, the dress was sold to Ripley’s Believe It or Not for $4.8 million, setting the record for the most expensive dress ever sold at auction.
Conclusion - Transcending Time
These dresses transcend the boundaries of fashion, becoming symbols of cultural significance, historical moments, and unmatched craftsmanship. From Marilyn Monroe’s unforgettable gowns to Nicole Kidman’s groundbreaking 1997 Oscars dress, each of these iconic pieces has left an indelible mark on both the fashion industry and the collective consciousness.
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Celebrities don’t just wear these dresses; they immortalize them, making them a part of their legacy. The staggering prices reflect not only the skill of their designers but also the profound cultural impact these garments have had over the years. Truly, these dresses will continue to inspire for generations to come.
