Julia Roberts as Vivian Ward in hotel scene.Photo:Buena Vista / Courtesy Everett Collection
Buena Vista / Courtesy Everett Collection
FromKate Winslet’sblack-and-red beaded numberin 1997’sTitanictoKate Hudson’syellow Carolina Herrera satin gownin 2003’sHow to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, many actresses have graced the silver scene in memorable dresses. However, none have quite cast a spell like the sweeping, off-the-shoulder red gownJulia Robertswore in the 1990 moviePretty Woman.
When Roberts first signed onto the project, she famously declared, “I won’t be naked” — and the lack of undress certainly paid off. As one of Hollywood’s grand makeover tales,Pretty Womanunveils the dramatic transformation of Vivian Ward, who uses Edward’s credit card to go from uncouth to chic, swapping her one-piece for elegant gowns and sophisticated blazers and spawning the iconic shopping revenge scene.
In 2024, RobertstoldBritish Vogueabout 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.”
Whether strutting down Hollywood Boulevard or Rodeo Drive, here’s the ultimate ranking of every fabulous (plus, that onebig mistake!) outfit Roberts' character, Vivian, donned inPretty Woman.
01of 15
The Red Dress
Richard Gere as Edward Lewis and Julia Roberts as Vivian Ward in jewelry box scene.Touchstone/Kobal/Shutterstock
Touchstone/Kobal/Shutterstock
Could you imagine if the dress had been black, asdirector Marshall originally suggested.
02of 15Her Iconic One-PieceJulia Roberts as Vivian Ward in scenes from ‘Pretty Woman’.TouchstoneThe one-piece that left little to the imagination has become synonymous with the film and, therefore, ranks high on the list. Roberts' newsboy cap, red coat and thigh-high boots get less recognition but are just as iconic. (Even her nieceEmma Robertsused it as inspirationfor a Halloween costume!)“The funny thing about this dress is, I think it was about $20,” Roberts toldBritish 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.”
02of 15
Her Iconic One-Piece
Julia Roberts as Vivian Ward in scenes from ‘Pretty Woman’.Touchstone
Touchstone
The one-piece that left little to the imagination has become synonymous with the film and, therefore, ranks high on the list. Roberts' newsboy cap, red coat and thigh-high boots get less recognition but are just as iconic. (Even her nieceEmma Robertsused it as inspirationfor a Halloween costume!)
“The funny thing about this dress is, I think it was about $20,” Roberts toldBritish 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.”
03of 15Her One-Piece Without the WigJulia Roberts as Vivian Ward, rocking her red hair while shopping.Touchstone/Kobal/ShutterstockSans blonde wig 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 revealed toBritish Vogue.
03of 15
Her One-Piece Without the Wig
Julia Roberts as Vivian Ward, rocking her red hair while shopping.Touchstone/Kobal/Shutterstock
Sans blonde wig 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 revealed toBritish Vogue.
04of 15Her Polo Match LookRichard Gere as Edward Lewis and Julia Roberts as Vivian Ward in polo match scene.Touchstone/Kobal/ShutterstockSomeone give this stylish polka-dot dress (and its matching hat) its own award.
04of 15
Her Polo Match Look
Richard Gere as Edward Lewis and Julia Roberts as Vivian Ward in polo match scene.Touchstone/Kobal/Shutterstock
Someone give this stylish polka-dot dress (and its matching hat) its own award.
05of 15The ‘Big Mistake, Huge’ LookJulia Roberts as Vivian Ward during shopping scene on Rodeo Drive.Buena Vista PicturesThought this white, puff-sleeve dress, paired with white gloves and black hat, wouldn’t make the list? Let’s just say it would’ve been a “big mistake! Big! Huge!” to exclude her Rodeo Drive revenge look.
05of 15
The ‘Big Mistake, Huge’ Look
Julia Roberts as Vivian Ward during shopping scene on Rodeo Drive.Buena Vista Pictures
Thought this white, puff-sleeve dress, paired with white gloves and black hat, wouldn’t make the list? Let’s just say it would’ve been a “big mistake! Big! Huge!” to exclude her Rodeo Drive revenge look.
06of 15This Classic ComboJulia Roberts as Vivian Ward and Laura San Giacomo as Kit De Luca.Buena Vista PicturesAt the end of the film, Vivian wears a plain white tee, black blazer and belted mom jeans, and her hair in a black silk scrunchie. You can catch women recreating this classic combo to this day — why is why it’s one of our favorite outfits.
06of 15
This Classic Combo
Julia Roberts as Vivian Ward and Laura San Giacomo as Kit De Luca.Buena Vista Pictures
At the end of the film, Vivian wears a plain white tee, black blazer and belted mom jeans, and her hair in a black silk scrunchie. You can catch women recreating this classic combo to this day — why is why it’s one of our favorite outfits.
07of 15The Little Black DressJulia Roberts as Vivian Ward during dinner scene.Touchstone/Kobal/ShutterstockAfter 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. Though the business dinner doesn’t go as planned, in part due to those “slippery little suckers,” Vivian rocked this cocktail dress (and her table etiquette).
07of 15
The Little Black Dress
Julia Roberts as Vivian Ward during dinner scene.Touchstone/Kobal/Shutterstock
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. Though the business dinner doesn’t go as planned, in part due to those “slippery little suckers,” Vivian rocked this cocktail dress (and her table etiquette).
08of 15The Button-Down LookRichard Gere as Edward Lewis and Julia Roberts as Vivian Ward in shopping scene.Buena Vista/GettyWhen Vivian walks down Rodeo Drive with Edward in this outfit, she gets the same stares as when she was wearing the one-piece on its own, but we genuinely have to wonder why? A plain white button-down has rarely looked so cute.
08of 15
The Button-Down Look
Richard Gere as Edward Lewis and Julia Roberts as Vivian Ward in shopping scene.Buena Vista/Getty
When Vivian walks down Rodeo Drive with Edward in this outfit, she gets the same stares as when she was wearing the one-piece on its own, but we genuinely have to wonder why? A plain white button-down has rarely looked so cute.
09of 15This Fancy RobeJulia Roberts as Vivian Ward in balcony scene.Buena Vista PicturesThis floral hotel robe is one that we would absolutely be swiping from the room.
09of 15
This Fancy Robe
Julia Roberts as Vivian Ward in balcony scene.Buena Vista Pictures
This floral hotel robe is one that we would absolutely be swiping from the room.
10of 15This Off-the-Shoulder Date Night DressJulia Roberts as Vivian Ward in date scene.Snap/ShutterstockClassic but colorful, 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.
10of 15
This Off-the-Shoulder Date Night Dress
Julia Roberts as Vivian Ward in date scene.Snap/Shutterstock
Classic but colorful, 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.
11of 15The “Blink-and-You’ll-Miss-It” Black DressJulia Roberts as Vivian Ward in shopping montage.Buena Vista PicturesWe see this dress very 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 famous red gown on the mannequin, though.)
11of 15
The “Blink-and-You’ll-Miss-It” Black Dress
Julia Roberts as Vivian Ward in shopping montage.Buena Vista Pictures
We see this dress very 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 famous red gown on the mannequin, though.)
12of 15The Pinstripe Dress with Sheer SleevesJulia Roberts as Vivian Ward in shopping montage.Buena Vista PicturesThere’s a lot going on here: white pantyhose, oversized pinstripes, sheer sleeves. It looks like something you would wear if you were going to aGoodfellas-themed birthday. Of course, Roberts manages to pull it off while snagging a fancy tie for Edward in the process.
12of 15
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 aGoodfellas-themed birthday. Of course, Roberts manages to pull it off while snagging a fancy tie for Edward in the process.
13of 15The Sunglasses for a Lazy DayJulia Roberts as Vivian Ward and Richard Gere as Edward Lewis in park scene.Buena Vista PicturesWe see the pinstripe dress again when she convinces the uptight and overworked Edward to take a day off and relax in the park. Her sunglasses complete the look, in our opinion.
13of 15
The Sunglasses for a Lazy Day
Julia Roberts as Vivian Ward and Richard Gere as Edward Lewis in park scene.Buena Vista Pictures
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 sunglasses complete the look, in our opinion.
14of 15This Sweater Your Grandma Would Give You for ChristmasJulia Roberts as Vivian Ward in shopping montage.Buena Vista PicturesSure, Vivian is supposed to learn to be “ladylike,” but nobody said that she had to age five decades in order to do so!Fun fact: Roberts was just 21 years old when she filmed this movie.
14of 15
This Sweater Your Grandma Would Give You for Christmas
Sure, Vivian is supposed to learn to be “ladylike,” but nobody said that she had to age five decades in order to do so!
Fun fact: Roberts was just 21 years old when she filmed this movie.
15of 15The Salmon Short-SuitJulia Roberts as Vivian Ward in hotel scene.Buena Vista PicturesYes, Roberts can pull off anything. However, this matching Bermuda short and blazer set is unfortunate compared to the other outfits. Her hair looks great, though!
15of 15
The Salmon Short-Suit
Julia Roberts as Vivian Ward in hotel scene.Buena Vista Pictures
Yes, Roberts can pull off anything. However, this matching Bermuda short and blazer set is unfortunate compared to the other outfits. Her hair looks great, though!
source: people.com
