These film frocks are the tops.

The 25 most memorable dresses in romantic comedy history

These film frocks are the tops.

By Dana Schwartz,

Dana Schwartz

Dana Schwartz is a former correspondent at **. She left EW in 2019.

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James Mercadante,

and Kevin Jacobsen

June 17, 2026 12:26 p.m. ET

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Kate Hudson as Andie Anderson in 'How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days'; Marilyn Monroe as the Girl in 'The Seven Year Itch'; Julia Roberts as Vivian Ward in 'Pretty Woman'. Credit:

Can a romantic comedy starring a woman truly be great without a signature dress? Technically, yes (of course), but a visually striking makeover or an elegant gown can go a long way toward cementing a movie's legacy.

For a dress to really pop, we usually see some sort of growth in our leading lady, from unfashionable to chic. In other instances, our protagonist is a true fashionista whose one ensemble in particular is simply to die for.

While we love a cheesy moment that shows how well a lead actress can exude glamour, we also love those instances where a dress’ memorability stems from the situation in which a character finds themselves.

Below, we're looking at 25 of the most memorable dresses in rom-com history, from stunning transformations to hilarious reveals.

How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003)

Kate Hudson as Andie Anderson and Matthew McConaughey as Benjamin Barry in 'How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days'. Everett Collection

How-to girl Andie (Kate Hudson) might know how to lose a guy, but she also knows how to keep one: a drop-dead-gorgeous, slinky yellow dress.

Anyone but You (2023)

Sydney Sweeney as Beatrice 'Bea' Messina in 'Anyone but You'.

Brook Rushton/Sony Pictures

We can't blame Ben (Glen Powell) for falling head over heels! Beatrice's (Sydney Sweeney) pale blue silk gown — reminiscent of Andie's yellow slip in *How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days* — goes through a lot: a boat wedding, a plunge overboard, and a helicopter rescue. The rest is still unwritten.

The Devil Wears Prada (2006)

Anne Hathaway as Andy Sachs in 'The Devil Wears Prada'. Barry Wetcher/20th Century Fox/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock

It's more than worth missing your boyfriend's birthday party if you get an excuse to wear that perfect black gown.

The Seven Year Itch (1955)

Marilyn Monroe as the Girl and Tom Ewell as Richard Sherman in 'The Seven Year Itch'.

The word "iconic" gets thrown around far too often these days, but in the case of Marilyn Monroe's white halter dress in *The Seven Year Itch*, it is the textbook definition of the word.**

27 Dresses (2008)

Katherine Heigl as Jane Nichols in '27 Dresses'. Everett Collection

The most memorable of the 27? This pale yellow *Gone With the Wind** *(1939)* *nightmare, bonnet and all.

Last Holiday (2006)

Queen Latifah as Georgia Byrd in 'The Last Holiday'. Stephen Vaughan/Paramount

Queen Latifah lives up to her name and looks every bit a royal in the custom gown her character has made when she thinks she only has weeks left to live.

Funny Face (1957)

Audrey Hepburn as Jo Stockton in 'Funny Face'.

Audrey Hepburn's collaboration with Givenchy was legendary in the fashion world, with this strapless red gown exemplifying how the pair were a match made in heaven.

Crazy Rich Asians (2018)

Constance Wu as Rachel Chu in 'Crazy Rich Asians'.

Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures

Rachel Chu (Constance Wu) earned the respect — or at least head turns — from her boyfriend's (Henry Golding) family when she wore this fabulous blue tulle dress at a boujee Singapore wedding. And as if it couldn't get any more iconic, the dress is now part of the collection at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History.

What a Girl Wants (2003)

Amanda Bynes as Daphne Reynolds (center) in 'What a Girl Wants'. Everett Collection

Peak 2000s teen girl feels: seeing Amanda Bynes at the top of the stairs in the dress she designed by altering the hideous one she was given.

She’s All That (1999)

Rachael Leigh Cook as Laney Boggs in 'She's All That'.

How could we possibly leave out Laney's (Rachael Leigh Cook) little red dress in one of the most classic makeover reveals in rom-com history?

The Decoy Bride (2011)

Kelly Macdonald as Katie Nic Aodh in 'The Decoy Bride'. Everett Collection

*The Decoy Bride *is a cheesy Netflix hidden gem, with gorgeous Scottish countryside and dresses to swoon over.

Ever After (1998)

Drew Barrymore as Danielle de Barbarac in 'Ever After'. 20th Century-Fox/Photofest

How could you not get chills when Danielle (Drew Barrymore) shows up to the ball? Da Vinci (Patrick Godfrey) was her fairy godfather!

A Cinderella Story (2004)

Hilary Duff as Sam Montgomery in 'A Cinderella Story'. Everett Collection

Another Cinderella story, another perfect entrance.

Sixteen Candles (1984)

Molly Ringwald as Sam Baker in 'Sixteen Candles'.

Universal Pictures

In one of the most instantly recognizable shots in cinema, Sam (Molly Ringwald) wears her iconic lilac bridesmaid dress and floral headpiece as she sits across from her crush (Michael Schoeffling) and the birthday cake he brought for her. No surprise Ariana Grande recreated this moment in her 2024 music video for "We Can't Be Friends (Wait for Your Love)."

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Enchanted (2007)

Amy Adams as Giselle in 'Enchanted'. Everett Collection

Giselle's fluffy white gown may have been memorable, but Amy Adams owns the color purple during the movie's climax.

Clueless (1995)

Justin Walker as Christian Stovitz and Alicia Silverstone as Cher Horowitz in 'Clueless'. Everett Collection

**Cher (****Alicia Silverstone****): **"It's a dress!"

**Mel Horowitz (****Dan Hedaya****):** "Says who?"

**Cher:** "Calvin Klein!"

Thank goodness that, unlike her Alaïa, this white dress doesn't end up against the street.

Pretty Woman (1990)

Julia Roberts as Vivian Ward in 'Pretty Woman'. Everett Collection

Just missing a diamond necklace worth more than most annual incomes.

Legally Blonde (2001)

Reese Witherspoon as Elle Woods in 'Legally Blonde'.

Elle Woods (Reese Witherspoon) won a homicide trial and taught everyone the "first cardinal rule of perm maintenance" — all while slaying a pink belted pencil dress.

Bridesmaids (2011)

Maya Rudolph as Lillian Donovan in 'Bridesmaids'. Universal Pictures

This isn't the dress that Lillian (Maya Rudolph) ended up wearing to her wedding. Probably for the best.

Never Been Kissed (1999)

Drew Barrymore as Josie Geller in 'Never Been Kissed'. Everett Collection

Poor Josie Grossie — not even Drew Barrymore can pull off shiny pink.

10 Things I Hate About You (1999)

Larisa Oleynik as Bianca Stratford in '10 Things I Hate About You'. Everett Collection

Imagine having the guts to wear separates to your prom! Separates! Bianca (Larisa Oleynik) is iconic.

13 Going on 30 (2004)

Jennifer Garner as Jenna Rink in '13 Going on 30'. Everett Collection

Admit it: You wanted to learn the dance to Michael Jackson's "Thriller" after this scene.

To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You (2018)

Lana Condor as Lara Jean Covey in 'To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You'.

Lara Jean (Lana Condor) gets her fairy-tale moment, exchanging "I love yous" with Peter Kavinsky (Noah Centineo) while twirling in a turquoise '50s-style tulle gown...in the snow!

Girls Trip (2017)

Jada Pinkett Smith as Lisa Miller Cooper in 'Girls Trip'. Universal Pictures

**Lisa (****Jada Pinkett Smith****):** "This dress is a mosquito net."

**Ryan (****Regina Hall****): **"Then maybe you'll catch something in it."

Maid in Manhattan (2002)

Jennifer Lopez as Marisa Ventura in 'Maid in Manhattan'.

Jennifer Lopez's big transformation in *Maid in Manhattan* was accentuated by this pale pink peach Bob Mackie dress, which her character wore at the high society dinner.**

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- Romantic Comedy

Original Article on Source

Source: “EW Romantic”