Remarkable examples of flawless fashion have allowed so many of the world’s most famous ladies to turn heads and make moments that are long talked about. It is often through the women’s dresses that they wear when gracing the red carpet or shooting a scene for the big or small screen that helps to get them noticed, but which are the most iconic moments?

Here, we take a look at a selection of the most iconic and inspiring designer dresses. Not only that, we also provide tips on how you can replicate the look with dresses that can be bought on the high-street today…

Marilyn Monroe

So many generations will remember Marilyn Monroe for her off-screen endeavours, her beauty and her talent. However, which of the pop culture icon’s renowned outfits beats them all to be the most iconic? For most of us, seeing Monroe playfully pushing down the skirt of her white cocktail dress in the film, The Seven Year Itch, is an enduring image that sums up the actress’ spirit and appeal. The backless, sleeveless dress, designed by William Travilla, featured a below-the-knee skirt and halter-like bodice with a plunging neck — risqué for the 1950s. Striking the perfect balance between elegance and seductiveness, this outfit is still inspiring designers today and even sold at auction in 2011 for $4.6 million!

You must select a high-street dress with a ‘vintage party’ vibe if you’re going to embody the Monroe appeal with your fashion choices. This dress style has a distinctive time-honoured elegance to it, yet, it looks ideal for a fun girls’ night. Go for a pleated midi skirt or lace embellishment for a beautiful retro appeal, then update the look in the upper section. Monroe makes up for the modest skirt hemline by showing more shoulder and arms — do the same with a Bardot or plunge neckline and polish off your 1950s-inspired look with mid-heel sandals and a pretty, floral hair slide.

Cher

Cher showcased how to make an impact when appearing at the 1986 Academy Awards. The legend of music and film was asked to present the Best Supporting Actor award and made sure she wouldn’t be upstaged by the winner in a black, jewel-encrusted gown with matching plumed headpiece designed by Bob Mackie. Split into a hip-hugging skirt and criss-cross bralet, the outfit was captivatingly daring for an Oscars event and has gone down in film industry history as one of the most famous outfits ever.

Confidence will be very important if you’re going to get the essence of this amazing look just right. Show off your curves by pairing a black cami bralet with a long, side-split skirt or opt for a midriff cut-out maxi dress. Swap the plumed headwear for a diamante headband and add to the glamour with a pair of embellished, slingback heels. Cher wonderfully made her bold outfit perfect for the sophisticated Academy Awards by complementing her exposed midriff with a loose-fit jacket — get the same effect with a chiffon kimono.

Julia Roberts

There’s no doubting that Julia Roberts is one of film’s most celebrated women. After all, she has appeared in so many blockbuster movies and also has an Oscar win among her remarkable list of accomplishments. Obviously, the actress has donned many outfits during her on-screen time, but perhaps one of the most iconic costumes is the red, off-the-shoulder dress she wore with long, white evening gloves in Pretty Woman. Created by designer, Marilyn Vance-Straker, this scarlet column dress, featured a sweetheart neckline and sat elegantly off the shoulder to create a beautiful silhouette that looked innovative, yet timeless. So, how do you get the high-street version?

Feminine elegance is seen throughout this gown’s design. If you have a special occasion coming up, this style is ideal. Stick with the sweetheart neckline but opt for a shorter hemline or even an asymmetric skirt cut to tone down the formality. Pair with wrap-round heels and keep jewellery to a minimum — chokers look particularly good with this neckline and a simple, neutral-shade clutch will finalise the look perfectly. Wearing your hair up will help show off the outline of the dress, too.

Jennifer Lopez

By appearing at the 42^nd Grammy Awards in 2000 wearing a green, silk chiffon gown, Jennifer Lopez caught the eye of so many people in attendance and who were watching across the globe. Designed by Donatella Versace, this stunning dress featured a jungle print and a daring, plunging neckline that opened all the way to the singer’s navel — secured with a sparkling green brooch.  All over the world, people went wild for this innovative gown. According to former Google chairman, Eric Schmidt, it was the most popular search query ever and even led to the launch of Google Image Search! Described as a turning point in Versace’s career, emulating this flawless look is simple.

It doesn’t matter your body shape, you can showcase a beautiful, flowing silhouette in a silk chiffon dress. Select a style with a long-at-the-back hemline to show off your legs and recreate the daring-but-sophisticated appeal of the famous jungle dress — asymmetric cuts will also look good and make sure you choose a bold, eye-catching colour to stand out from the crowd. Tropical prints are popular this fashion season — although check and animal patterns also work well — while long-sleeves help create an elegant balance of exposed skin. Don’t feel you have to go as low at the front as J-Lo, though. Plunging necklines certainly inject a touch of glamour into an outfit, but you can get the same effect by going for a simple v-neck and enhancing your dress with statement jewellery and high heels to make sure you’re ready for a special evening.

Beyoncé

No matter if it’s when she’s working on new music or her fashion choices, Beyoncé never seems to be anything but one step ahead of the rest. We couldn’t get enough of the sheer, bejewelled dress that Beyoncé wore at the Met Gala in 2015. Designed by Givenchy, the fitted, backless gown was awash with strategically-placed multi-coloured crystals and before slowing elegantly around her heeled feet.

There’s only so many times that you’ll be able to wear a see-through, crystallised dress and pull off the look mind. However, there’s no reason that you can’t enhance your wardrobe with something similarly extravagant. Concentrate on the embellishment of your gown to emulate the Beyoncé look — styles such as a diamante bodycon or metallic maxi dress will offer a similar, stand-out look that’s perfect for a night out. Instead of sheer or see-through, why not opt for a nude gown that you can pair with complementary bag and heels?

Britney Spears

When Britney Spears appeared at the 2001 American Music Awards in a denim dress, the singer captured so much attention for all the right reasons. Back when Britney and Justin were possibly the most famous celebrity couple, the singer’s every fashion movement was scrutinised — and this is perhaps her most iconic. Styled and shaped like a ball gown, Spears’ sleeveless, floor-length dress featured a fitted bodice, metallic belt and even short train to give the impression of jeans-inspired formality. If you love denim or just like alternative takes on standard outfits, try getting the high-street version of this.

Choosing a pinafore or shirt-style dress in light-blue denim will be the perfect way to go if you’re hoping to tone down the formal part of this well-remembered look. Be sure to also use a waist belt to nip you in for a flawless figure outline. Get the ‘dressed up’ look on your next night out by selecting a fitted, mini style that you can pair with stilettos and accessories, or go for a black-denim, shift dress with thin straps for an alternative blend of low-maintenance denim and high-fashion style.

Meghan Markle

When Prince Harry married Meghan Markle earlier this year, 18 million people watched the wedding all across the UK. Many were tuning in to catch the first glimpse of the bride’s wedding gown. But in fact, Markle’s second outfit choice also got people talking. For the evening, the new bride opted for a silk crepe, sleeveless, high-neck gown designed by Stella McCartney that fell flawlessly over her petite frame — and it’s a style that many of us would love to have sitting in our own wardrobes.

Choose a halter-neck, sleeveless look and you’ll be able to elegantly show off your shoulders. This style works best when the skirt of your dress is midi or even maxi, to get the ideal level of skin exposure. Of course, you don’t have to stick to white. Purple is a big colour this fashion season and slipping on a pair of simple, mid-heels and only a few pieces of jewellery — perhaps droplet earrings and a small selection of matching rings — will let you harness the chic, understated vibe of this style. If you have a more casual event, go for a shorter skirt or one with a high/low frill hem.

Kids designer clothing is something we might all think is a great idea when we are pregnant and dreaming of what sort of parent we would like to be. I was pretty clueless about the realities of parenting when I became pregnant for the first time. As the youngest child by quite a few years in the family, I was not used to being around babies and younger children. So I probably imagined my children in designer clothes surrounded by only wooden toys, never watching telly or eating sweets. Parenting for real proved so challenging for me that I turned to blogging!

Reality check

Designer clothing is not necessarily the best choice for everyday wear if it comes with an expensive price tag too. Children will do messy play and babies do throw up. Food and drink spillages lead to stains which can be troublesome to remove.

Money matters

The  lovely thing now is that you can get designer clothing at more affordable prices if you shop in a savvy way.  Both men and women from all social backgrounds wear designer labels from time to time. Sales discounts can be huge and if you charity shop in certain areas you can pick up designer bargains at amazing prices.

Good reasons to go down the designer clothing route include the quality of the material and the sewing. I can remember my Mum pointing out how hems were that much bigger in designer clothing back in the day. She introduced me to designer labels at a very early age and was a huge fan of designer outlets.

Kids designer clothes

Some parents will think kids designer clothes are a good idea and some won’t. Greater affordability makes me more likely to buy designer clothing especially as the quality does tend to be better. As children get older, messes do tend to decrease so I am more likely to get them designer clothes now than when they were tiny. Special occasions are a good time to get kids designer clothing adding to making an event particularly special. I remember when my children were tiny wishing that good boys; clothes for parties were as available as they were for girls. Choices are better these days.

Do you buy kids designer clothing? Is that for everyday use or just for special occasions?

Denim has stood the test of time. Although dress codes for offices are becoming more informal, it’s still nice to feel professional and dress appropriately when heading to your job. This is why wearing denim for your nine-to-five can be tricky particularly when so many of us associate it with hobbies and holidays  So, how should it be done? Trilogy Stores, premium denim retailers, provide us with some top tips from the experts:

Styling the jeans

If you’re new to wearing denim for work, or your office isn’t super relaxed, you can play it safe with black denim. In fact, I think this my favourite colour when it comes to denim. My brother bought me my first Levis years ago and they were black and I loved them. If you wear black denim with a patterned shirt tucked in, black high-waisted jeans can create a more fitted look than black work pants. The high-waist element of the jean can elongate your legs — perfect when matched with your favourite pair of heeled courts. Buy a pair of black jeans with a playful hem to add an edge to your outfit that’s still smart. I love the embellishments that now are available for jeans so you can express your individuality.

Culottes are very in this season, and there’s no reason why you can’t bring the trend to the desk. Views vary on culottes but I have always liked them as the combine the benefits of skirts and trousers in a really clever way. Black or indigo jean culottes paired with a smart blouse, oversized jacket, and peep-toe flats is one outfit that would look summery yet work-appropriate. Ladies, wear flats if you are more comfy in them and remember that they are often a safer option. Tuck your blouse in to neaten up your outfit and add heels when heading out for after-office drinks if you like them.

Similarly, cropped leg jeans are suitable for the warmer months and pair well with loafers and a cami-blouse combination.  They are not my choice as I don’t think they suit me. If you feel like adding a pop of colour to your look, but don’t want to go too loud, opt for a pastel palette. Lilac or sky-blue denim can complement a smart shirt well — ideal for keeping it bright and cool when the sun is shining too.

Classic blue skinny jeans don’t have to look casual either. With a sleeveless white shirt tucked in and a checked blazer, you can create a fashionable ensemble that’s anything but boring. Slip on your point-toe pumps and begin your commute. Princess Diana used to look superb in jeans and a blazer/

Don’t forget about white jeans either — often thought of as ‘holiday jeans’, they can be styled so that they’re suitable for work too. Worn with a printed blouse and silk shirt, white denim can be work-appropriate — choose a pair with a slim-leg to create a smart, summer look. Do think about your day and circumstances though as white jeans can look grubby very quickly.

Styling a skirt

Pencil skirts and a shirt is a classic style worn by women in the office. It’s one way to feel feminine without revealing too much and can look uber stylish as part of a power suit. Why not trade in your black midi garment for a denim skirt?

Dark-wash denim skirts look smart and on-trend this season. Avoid distressed denim and light-washes as these can appear more beachwear than workwear, and steer clear of any pieces that sit far above the knee. Instead, a pencil-style skirt in navy or black denim worn with a ruffle shirt is a go-to outfit. Pair with a fitted jacket to replicate the power-suit, or with a floaty blazer for a less formal look. For added embellishments, choose one with subtle press studs down the centre and leave the bottom stud undone to create a leg split. Alternatively, an A-line denim skirt can be a smart look, paired with a long-sleeved crew-neck and heeled ankle boots. My mum was a huge fan of denim skirts and wore them to work on occasion.

Don’t be afraid to experiment with different colours either. Similar to when wearing denim jeans, pastel coloured fitted skirts are a fun go-to for the warmer months — tuck in a chiffon blouse and wear with heeled sandals or pointed ankle boots. Or, if you’re feeling more daring, opt for a bold red or green denim skirt and wear with a classic black V-neck to tone it down. Co-ordinate your outfit with a complementing coloured cross-over or tote bag.

As we can see, there are a range of ways to style denim for the office. Make sure that this dress-code is accepted in your office before you start wearing jeans to work, and if it is, there’s no need to hold back! From stylish indigo culottes to studded pencil skirts, bringing denim to the office can keep you fashionable and well-dressed. Don’t forget to accessorise appropriately too, cross-body bags are a good way to inject some colour into your outfit and a tailored blazer is a perfect staple piece to formalise your wardrobe.

Wear your denim with pride and you might inspire your colleagues to do the same.