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Marilyn Monroe's Marital Milestones: A Sartorial Retrospective
8 Nov
Summary
- Marilyn Monroe had three weddings, each with a distinct bridal look
- Her first dress was borrowed, later gifted to her niece
- She wore a chic suit with a fur collar for her second wedding
- Her third dress was an understated satin and chiffon design
In the years leading up to 2025-11-08T12:16:07+00:00, the world-famous actress Marilyn Monroe had three distinct wedding outfits, each reflecting her personal style at the time.
For her first marriage to police officer James Dougherty in 1942, the 16-year-old Monroe wore a borrowed white "ballerina-length dress" that was later passed down to her niece Mona Rae Miracle. Miracle revealed in September 2022 that she had worn the dress on her first date when she was 14 years old.
Monroe's second wedding, to baseball player Joe DiMaggio in 1954, saw her opt for a non-traditional bridal look - a dark brown, two-piece serge suit with a stylish mink collar. She had purchased the ensemble from a department store, and even wore it to a royal meet-and-greet two months before the nuptials.
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Finally, for her third marriage to playwright Arthur Miller in 1956, Monroe chose a beige satin and chiffon dress with a scoop neckline and short sleeves, designed by John Moore. This gown was worn for the couple's Jewish ceremony, while she had donned a sweater and skirt for their earlier courthouse wedding.
Through these three very different bridal looks, Marilyn Monroe showcased her evolving personal style and her willingness to defy traditional wedding attire expectations.
