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Since its premiere 35 years in the past, on March 23, 1990, Fairly Lady has earned its place in cinematic historical past, partly because of its enduring rags-to-riches love story and iconic wardrobe.
The Golden Globe-nominated movie — directed by the late Garry Marshall — follows intercourse employee Vivian Ward (Julia Roberts, in an Oscar-nominated efficiency) and rich entrepreneur Edward Lewis (Richard Gere). After an opportunity encounter on Hollywood Boulevard when Edward stops to ask for instructions, the company raider hires the street-smart Vivian to spend the night time with him at his lodge, which finally turns into per week.
Alongside the journey, Vivian evolves not solely in her mind-set but in addition in her trend, together with when viewers first meet her in a midriff-baring, one-piece tank costume to the ultimate scene of her sporting a basic black blazer and white T-shirt.
In 2024, five-time PEOPLE’s Most Stunning Lady recipient Roberts instructed British Vogue about her collaboration with the movie’s costume designer, Marilyn Vance.
“I keep in mind her to be very caring about how I felt within the garments,” Roberts recalled. “I am probably not snug sporting such naked issues, and she or he was very conscious and respectful of that.”
Although not each ensemble made us swoon, Roberts’ seems within the rom-com captured viewers’ hearts and transcended time and tendencies. Here is the last word rating of each memorable (plus that one massive mistake!) outfit the actress wore in Fairly Lady.
The Crimson Gown
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Who might overlook the sweeping, off-the-shoulder pink robe that Vivian wears in Fairly Lady? The beautiful costume — full with ruching element on the bodice and a sweetheart V-neck — takes Vivian from a duckling to a swan, leaving everybody (together with Edward) in awe whereas on a date on the opera to look at a efficiency of Verdi’s La Traviata.
Paired with lengthy white gloves and a ruby and diamond necklace, Marshall had a distinct thought for the robe’s colour than the model that made it into the movie.
“Garry needed black. Black is scorching. Black is attractive,” Vance mentioned. “However I knew that the robe couldn’t be black. I drove Julia to the polo subject within the [red version] as a result of I needed to present [Garry and the producers]. She beloved it.”
The Iconic One-Piece
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The one-piece that left little to the creativeness has grow to be synonymous with the movie and, due to this fact, ranks excessive on the record. Although a bit risqué, it seemingly met Roberts’ situation when she signed onto the challenge.
“I will not be bare,” she instructed Marshall upon assembly for the primary time.
The shortage of undress definitely paid off, with Roberts’ newsboy cap, pink coat and thigh-high boots marking a signature model second within the film. (Even her niece Emma Roberts used it as inspiration for a Halloween costume in 2012, full with the blonde wig!)
“The humorous factor about this costume is, I feel it was about $20,” Roberts instructed British Vogue. “It was, I feel, black and white, and the costume designer modified it as much as make it somewhat bit totally different.”
She added, “The boots had been actually uncomfortable.”
The One-Piece With out the Wig
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Sans blonde wig, and with the jacket tied round her waist, the outfit one way or the other seems cool sufficient to earn itself its personal spot within the rating.
“I assumed I had an enormous butt, and that is why I wore that jacket like that within the film,” Roberts instructed British Vogue.
The Polo Match Look
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Somebody give this trendy polka dot costume (and its matching wide-brim hat) its personal award.
Like the gorgeous pink ball robe, Vance additionally created this subtle quantity worn in the course of the polo match scene. The chocolate brown and white look was paired with nude pumps and gloves.
In 2019, Roberts gave a refined nod to her Fairly Lady character when she attended a polo match in Pacific Palisades, Calif., sporting a black-and-white polka dot jumpsuit by Michael Kors with pleated detailing and a white belt cinching her waist.
The “Huge Mistake, Big” Look
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Thought this white, puff-sleeve costume, paired with white gloves and a black straw hat, would not make the record? Let’s simply say it might’ve been a “massive mistake! Huge! Big!” to exclude her Rodeo Drive procuring revenge look.
Followers will recall Vivian in search of a cocktail costume at a boutique on the famed luxurious trend road. Nonetheless, she’s met by a impolite saleswoman (Dey Younger) who tells her, “I don’t assume we’ve something for you. You’re clearly within the incorrect place.”
Finally, Vivian will get even on the judgmental salesclerks when she exhibits again as much as the shop on this midi-length, button-down costume whereas carrying an armful of procuring baggage.
“I by no means knew that this film could be as massive because it was, or that this scene could be so iconic,” Younger instructed Right this moment in February 2021. “I actually assume the reason being that it’s a second lots of people can relate to it.”
Younger added, “These two scenes actually embody the underdog getting shut down, however then in the long run she is ready to come again and win. It exemplifies that complete sort of phenomenon which you can’t choose a ebook by its cowl. You’ve got actually obtained to look deeper into what is going on on. So I feel there’s somewhat lesson in it as properly.”
This Traditional Combo
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On the finish of the movie, Vivian wears a plain white tee, black blazer and belted mother denims. Her hair is tied again with a black silk scrunchie. This basic combo works in any setting and for any event — even for an impromptu fairy-tale rescue on the fireplace escape — which is why it is one in all our favorites.
The Little Black Gown
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After being turned away whereas procuring, Vivian will get her first Cinderella second of the movie, sporting an off-the-shoulder LBD with lace appliqué that sits above her collarbone and black gloves. Although the enterprise dinner does not go as deliberate, partly resulting from a rogue escargot — these “slippery little suckers” — Vivian rocked this elegant cocktail costume (and her desk etiquette).
The Crisp Button-Down Look
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Nonetheless shaken (and fidgety) from her not-so-pleasant procuring expertise on Rodeo Drive, Vivian and Edward head again to the boutique-dotted vacation spot collectively. This time, nonetheless, Vivian covers her one-piece mini with Edward’s white costume shirt layered on prime and ditches the vinyl thigh-high boots for glossy black pumps.
Whereas strolling down the palm tree-lined road, she will get the identical stares as when she was sporting the cutout tank costume by itself, however we genuinely must surprise why. A plain white button-down has hardly ever regarded so cute. The transitional look showcases an off-the-cuff and stylish model earlier than Vivian’s procuring spree utilizing Edward’s bank card.
The Fancy Gown
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Whereas overlooking town on the balcony of Edward’s posh penthouse suite on the Beverly Wilshire lodge (the scenes had been truly filmed on the now-defunct Ambassador Resort in Los Angeles), Vivian recounts her childhood fantasy as a damsel in misery ready to be saved from a tower by a good-looking knight.
Through the pivotal second, Vivian’s black silk gown with floral print — atypical of the usual white, terry-lined lodge tub robes — seems equally decadent and cozy. Match for a princess, after all.
The Off-the-Shoulder Date Night time Gown
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Traditional however daring, that is one in all Vivian’s seems that we do not get to see for lengthy on-screen — save for 2 fast pictures whereas she is on a date with Edward — however this purple quantity nonetheless makes a splash.
The “Blink-and-You may-Miss-It” Black Gown
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We see this costume briefly throughout Vivian’s procuring montage and can all the time surprise why this flirty quantity wasn’t a winner — particularly with these black ballet flats!
(Try her iconic pink robe on the model, although.)
The Pinstripe Gown with Sheer Sleeves
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There’s so much occurring right here: white pantyhose, outsized pinstripes, sheer sleeves. It seems like one thing you’d put on if you happen to had been going to a Goodfellas-themed birthday. After all, Roberts manages to drag it off whereas snagging a flowery tie for Edward within the course of.
The Sun shades for a Lazy Day
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We see the pinstripe costume once more when she convinces the uptight and overworked Edward to take a day without work and calm down within the park. Her spherical sun shades full the look, in our opinion.
The Embellished Sweater
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Certain, a rough-around-the-edges Vivian is tasked with changing into extra refined and polished halfway via the movie, however no one mentioned she had to take action sporting matronly outfits. Fortunately, this long-sleeved sweater and mustard-colored pleated pants did not make the minimize. Modesty apart, it made Vivian smile whereas attempting the clothes on.
The Salmon Brief-Go well with
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Sure, Roberts can pull off something. Nonetheless, this matching Bermuda brief and blazer set she wears in Fairly Lady is much less trendy than the opposite outfits. (Her hair seems nice, although!) Happily, Roberts has pulled off the matching shorts-suit ensemble for the reason that movie’s launch, together with on the pink carpet throughout her 2022 promo run for the political thriller collection Gaslit.

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