Clothes have the power to transform, whether in real life or on the silver screen. Many of Hollywood's most famous actresses are forever linked to some of their costumes, whether daring and provocative or simply chic and stylish. Images of actresses wearing these costumes often crop up as posters or in other Hollywood-related merchandise and artwork, which further cements each costume's iconic place in movie history.


Vivian Leigh as Scarlet flashes her famous temper while wearing the drapes dress.

Vivian Leigh's Scarlet O'Hara famously worn a dress made of drapes in "Gone With the Wind" (1939) in order to impress Clark Gable's Rhett Butler. The green velvet dress featured the drapes' tassels and tie-backs as decoration. The red velvet robe with a scoop neckline and black belt worn by Leigh in another scene from the film is almost as famous as the drape dress, as the dress's sultry color prompts Gable's Rhett to sweep Scarlet off her feet and carry her to the couple's bedroom for a night of passion. (The fact that Scarlet is taken to bed screaming and awakes singing is another thing entirely.)


The iconic shot of Marilyn from "The Seven Year Itch."

Marilyn Monroe is the sexiest neighbor ever in "The Seven Year Itch" (1955), which features one of the most famous scenes in movie history. Monroe's character, referred to only as "The Girl" is out with neighbor friend Richard Sherman (Tom Ewell) in a white halter dress and sandal heels. She stands over a subway grate to feel the hot blast of air, which causes her dress to ride up. The dress was created by William Travilla, who began working with Monroe during the filming of "Don't Bother to Knock" (1952), and dressed the icon in six other films. The dress's bodice featured a plunging neckline with the waistband under the breasts. The skirt is pleated and the halter portion exposes the arms and back. Monroe's husband at the time, Joe DiMaggio, disliked the dress, though it remains the star's most famous costume. Images of Monroe wearing the dress are frequently seen on posters and other "retro" merchandise, though the dress itself now belongs to Debbie Reynolds' private Hollywood memorabilia collection at the Hollywood Motion Picture Museum.


Elizabeth Taylor reclines in "Cat On A Hot Tin Roof."

Elizabeth Taylor smouldered in 1958's "Cat On a Hot Tin Roof," proving that outwear isn't necessary to create an iconic film look. Her white slip hugs her curves and looks stunning against her black hair, red lips, and gorgeous violet eyes. No wonder Taylor's Maggie finally gets her husband Brick (Paul Newman) to really 'see' her, though with her many appearances in slip dresses, it's hard to believe it took him so long.


Audrey Hepburn having breakfast in "Tiffany's."

Audrey Hepburn didn't invent the little black dress, she just made it look amazing. Her turn as call girl Holly Golightly in "Breakfast At Tiffany's" (1961) was outfitted by Hubert de Givenchy, the Paris designer who worked with Hepburn on many of her most famous films. The long, basic black dress, black gloves, five rows of jeweled necklaces, large dark sunglasses, and mini tiara Hepburn wears in the opening scene of the film is one of the most famous fashion moments in film history, and cemented Hepburn's place among the Hollywood elite. Her slim, waifish figure made her the "anti-Marilyn," though ironically "Breakfast At Tiffany's" author Truman Capote had originally wanted Monroe to play his heroine. Often referred to as "the definitive little black dress," the outfit is worn by Hepburn in the film's opening sequence only, though she wears shorter versions of the dress throughout the movie.


Faye Dunaway in "Bonnie and Clyde."

Faye Dunaway become a fashion icon after starring in "Bonnie And Clyde" (1967) with Warren Beatty. Dunaway commented in a 1995 interview with Allure magazine that while on a European press tour for the film, she began to notice young women copying Bonnie's style. Cable-knit sweaters, mid-length skirts, patterned silk scarves, and of course the iconic beret was called the "look du jour" of late 1969 by Women's Wear Daily publisher John Fairchild. The look was sexy yet left something to the imagination, and Fairchild called 1970 the "year of the midi" in the September 14 issue of Time magazine. The skirt's length failed to capture the love of American women, but Dunaway's place as a style icon was unquestionable.


Liza Minnelli as Sally Bowles.

Liza Minelli's androgynous yet provocative look as Sally Bowles in "Cabaret" (1972) became a fashion sensation. The black vest (sans blouse), black shorts, black top hat, black stockings, and black boots paired with Minelli's pale, pale skin and fire engine-red lipstick were an instant classic. Director Bob Fosse hired German costumer and production designer Charlotte Flemming to create costume looks that matched those worn in clubs in Germany's pre-Hitler Berlin. Flemming's creations showed off the "divine decadence" of the time period, and helped Minelli escape the huge shadow cast by her Hollywood legend of a mother, Judy Garland, and make her a star in her own right.


Diane Keaton and Woody Allen in "Annie Hall."

The androgynous look again made an iconic film appearance in 1977's "Annie Hall," Woody Allen's relationship fable about him and Diane Keaton, who played Annie. Her khaki chinos, man's shirt, tie, and vest still looked feminine thanks to Keaton's long hair and beautiful face. Though costume designer Ruth Morley won an Oscar for her work on the film, the famous menswear outfit synonymous with the film was supposedly Keaton's own clothing. Like Marlene Dietrich before her, who frequently stepped out in men's suits, Keaton could pull off the androgynous look thanks to her stunning beauty and effortless femininity.


Olivia Newton John kills it as the vamped up Sandy in "Grease."

Olivia Newton John went from squeaky clean good girl to the sexpot of John Travolta's dreams in "Grease" (1978), which certainly ranks as an iconic moment in movie musical history. John's Sandy gets a makeover consisting of skin-tight black Lycra pants, low-cut black top, jeweled buckle belt, and red Candies heels. Her blonde hair goes from straight to curly and voluminous, with makeup including dark eyeliner, dark eyeshadow, red lipstick, and dangling cigarette. The scene remains a highlight of John's film career.


Nicole Kidman teases in "Moulin Rouge."

More recent provocative/iconic film costumes include Nicole Kidman's bustier that she wears in her first scene in "Moulin Rouge" (2001). Kidman's doomed dancer/prostitute Satine descends from the Moulin Rouge club's rafters on a swing wearing a glittering silver/white bustier with a bow tie bodice, top hat, fishnets, and heels. Production and costume designer Catherine Martin, also the wife of "Moulin Rouge" director Baz Luhrmann, made the film which is set in 1900s Paris, a visual feast with its rich, vibrantly colored costumes.

Which iconic film costume is your favorite?