"Pretty Woman" Is 35! Celebrate the Rom-Com with a Ranking of All Julia Roberts' Iconic Outfits in the Film
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03/23/2025 09:30 AM
'Pretty Woman,' which premiered 35 years ago, swept audiences off their feet with unexpected romance and memorable fashion moments
© Buena Vista/courtesy Everett Collection
Julia Roberts in 'Pretty Woman' (1990).Since its premiere 35 years ago, on March 23, 1990, Pretty Woman has earned its place in cinematic history, partly thanks to its enduring rags-to-riches love story and iconic wardrobe.
The Golden Globe-nominated film — directed by the late Garry Marshall — follows sex worker Vivian Ward (Julia Roberts, in an Oscar-nominated performance) and wealthy entrepreneur Edward Lewis (Richard Gere). After a chance encounter on Hollywood Boulevard when Edward stops to ask for directions, the corporate raider hires the street-smart Vivian to spend the night with him at his hotel, which ultimately turns into a week.
Along the journey, Vivian evolves not only in her way of thinking but also in her fashion, including when viewers first meet her in a midriff-baring, one-piece tank dress to the final scene of her sporting a classic black blazer and white T-shirt.
In 2024, five-time PEOPLE's Most Beautiful Woman recipient Roberts told British Vogue about her collaboration with the film's costume designer, Marilyn Vance.
"I remember her to be very caring about how I felt in the clothes," Roberts recalled. "I'm not really comfortable wearing such bare things, and she was very mindful and respectful of that."
Though not every ensemble made us swoon, Roberts' looks in the rom-com captured viewers' hearts and transcended time and trends. Here's the ultimate ranking of every memorable (plus that one big mistake!) outfit the actress wore in Pretty Woman.
The Red Dress
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Richard Gere as Edward Lewis and Julia Roberts as Vivian Ward in the jewelry box scene from 'Pretty Woman'Who could forget the sweeping, off-the-shoulder red gown that Vivian wears in Pretty Woman?The stunning dress — complete with ruching detail on the bodice and a sweetheart V-neck — takes Vivian from a duckling to a swan, leaving everyone (including Edward) in awe while on a date at the opera to watch a performance of Verdi's La Traviata.
Paired with long white gloves and a ruby and diamond necklace, Marshall had a different idea for the gown's color than the version that made it into the film.
"Garry wanted black. Black is hot. Black is sexy," Vance said. "But I knew that the gown could not be black. I drove Julia to the polo field in the [red version] because I had to show [Garry and the producers]. She loved it."
The Iconic One-Piece
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Julia Roberts as Vivian Ward in scenes from 'Pretty Woman'The one-piece that left little to the imagination has become synonymous with the film and, therefore, ranks high on the list. Though a bit risqué, it seemingly met Roberts' condition when she signed onto the project.
"I won't be naked," she told Marshall upon meeting for the first time.
The lack of undress certainly paid off, with Roberts' newsboy cap, red coat and thigh-high boots marking a signature style moment in the movie. (Even her niece Emma Roberts used it as inspiration for a Halloween costume in 2012, complete with the blonde wig!)
"The funny thing about this dress is, I think it was about $20," Roberts told British Vogue. "It was, I think, black and white, and the costume designer changed it up to make it a little bit different."
She added, "The boots were really uncomfortable."
The One-Piece Without the Wig
Sans blonde wig, and with the jacket tied around her waist, the outfit somehow looks cool enough to earn itself its own spot in the ranking.
"I thought I had a big butt, and that's why I wore that jacket like that in the movie," Roberts told British Vogue.
The Polo Match Look
Someone give this stylish polka dot dress (and its matching wide-brim hat) its own award.
Like the beautiful red ball gown, Vance also created this sophisticated number worn during the polo match scene. The chocolate brown and white look was paired with nude pumps and gloves.
In 2019, Roberts gave a subtle nod to her Pretty Woman character when she attended a polo match in Pacific Palisades, Calif., wearing a black-and-white polka dot jumpsuit by Michael Kors with pleated detailing and a white belt cinching her waist.
The "Big Mistake, Huge" Look
Thought this white, puff-sleeve dress, paired with white gloves and a black straw hat, wouldn't make the list? Let's just say it would've been a "big mistake! Big! Huge!" to exclude her Rodeo Drive shopping revenge look.
Fans will recall Vivian looking for a cocktail dress at a boutique on the famed luxury fashion street. However, she's met by a rude saleswoman (Dey Young) who tells her, "I don't think we have anything for you. You're obviously in the wrong place."
Ultimately, Vivian gets even on the judgmental salesclerks when she shows back up to the store in this midi-length, button-down dress while carrying an armful of shopping bags.
"I never knew that this movie would be as big as it was, or that this scene would be so iconic," Young told Today in February 2021. "I really think the reason is that it's a moment a lot of people can relate to it."
Young added, "Those two scenes really encompass the underdog getting shut down, but then in the end she is able to come back and win. It exemplifies that whole kind of phenomenon that you can't judge a book by its cover. You've really got to look deeper into what's going on. So I think there's a little lesson in it as well."
This Classic Combo
At the end of the film, Vivian wears a plain white tee, black blazer and belted mom jeans. Her hair is tied back with a black silk scrunchie. This classic combo works in any setting and for any occasion — even for an impromptu fairy-tale rescue on the fire escape — which is why it's one of our favorites.
The Little Black Dress
After being turned away while shopping, Vivian gets her first Cinderella moment of the film, wearing an off-the-shoulder LBD with lace appliqué that sits above her collarbone and black gloves. Though the business dinner doesn't go as planned, in part due to a rogue escargot — those "slippery little suckers" — Vivian rocked this elegant cocktail dress (and her table etiquette).
The Crisp Button-Down Look
Still shaken (and fidgety) from her not-so-pleasant shopping experience on Rodeo Drive, Vivian and Edward head back to the boutique-dotted destination together. This time, however, Vivian covers her one-piece mini with Edward's white dress shirt layered on top and ditches the vinyl thigh-high boots for sleek black pumps.
While walking down the palm tree-lined street, she gets the same stares as when she was wearing the cutout tank dress on its own, but we genuinely have to wonder why. A plain white button-down has rarely looked so cute. The transitional look showcases a casual and chic style before Vivian's shopping spree using Edward's credit card.
The Fancy Robe
While overlooking the city on the balcony of Edward's posh penthouse suite at the Beverly Wilshire hotel (the scenes were actually filmed at the now-defunct Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles),Vivianrecounts her childhood fantasy as a damsel in distress waiting to be saved from a tower by a handsome knight.
During the pivotal moment, Vivian's black silk robe with floral print — atypical of the standard white, terry-lined hotel bath robes — looks equally decadent and comfortable. Fit for a princess, of course.
The Off-the-Shoulder Date Night Dress
Classic but bold, this is one of Vivian's looks that we don't get to see for long on-screen — save for two quick shots while she is on a date with Edward — but this purple number still makes a splash.
The "Blink-and-You'll-Miss-It" Black Dress
We see this dress briefly during Vivian's shopping montage and will always wonder why this flirty number wasn't a winner — especially with those black ballet flats!
(Check out her iconic red gown on the mannequin, though.)
Related: Why We Need Romantic Comedies More Than Ever at This Moment
The Pinstripe Dress with Sheer Sleeves
There's a lot going on here: white pantyhose, oversized pinstripes, sheer sleeves. It looks like something you would wear if you were going to a Goodfellas-themed birthday. Of course, Roberts manages to pull it off while snagging a fancy tie for Edward in the process.
The Sunglasses for a Lazy Day
We see the pinstripe dress again when she convinces the uptight and overworked Edward to take a day off and relax in the park. Her round sunglasses complete the look, in our opinion.
The Embellished Sweater
Sure, a rough-around-the-edges Vivian is tasked with becoming more refined and polished midway through the film, but nobody said she had to do so wearing matronly outfits. Thankfully, this long-sleeved sweater and mustard-colored pleated pants didn't make the cut. Modesty aside, it made Vivian smile while trying the garments on.
The Salmon Short-Suit
Yes, Roberts can pull off anything. However, this matching Bermuda short and blazer set she wears in Pretty Woman is less stylish than the other outfits. (Her hair looks great, though!) Fortunately, Roberts has pulled off the matching shorts-suit ensemble since the film's release, including on the red carpet during her 2022 promo run for the political thriller series Gaslit.
