Marilyn Monroe was the epitome of glamour during her time, captivating audiences on and off screen with her charm, beauty, and style. She was a trendsetter known for her pinup aesthetic, plunging silhouettes, lots of red and white, and the popular halterneck dresses of the era (one famous white one, in particular).
She's always been my fashion icon, so when I heard about the GUESS Marilyn Monroe collection, I had to get my hands on it immediately. I first saw it IRL at the brand's recent launch event hosted at the iconic Beverly Hills Hotel's Bungalow 1, the suite Monroe used to stay in. The pieces in this collection expertly represent Monroe's era of fashion: gingham prints, cropped cigarette pants, form-fitting tops, and of course, halter dresses. And the collection wouldn't be complete without a reiteration of the Marilyn 3-zip jeans, which were first introduced in 1981 as an ode to Monroe. To channel my inner Marilyn, I styled three of my favorite looks for summer.
At Bungalow 1, GUESS provided a fully immersive experience with glamorous touches, including red roses, bowls of cherries, a DIY charm bar, and a make-your-own lip gloss station. My favorite part was opening the closet to find it filled with the new collection and other summer accessories.
When you imagine Marilyn Monroe, you likely picture her in the white dress she wore in one of her most well-known films. This polka-dot iteration of that halterneck dress did, in fact, make me feel like a movie star, especially with the addition of cat-eye sunglasses. It caught my eye at the event, and I knew I had to have it for summer days in the city. The fit is incredible, and the ruffled side slit allows for some pretty movement in the wind (although I won't be standing on any subway grates).
I love the ease of a matching set, so this red gingham outfit was an instant pick. The button-up wrap top has a nice shape, and knotting the tie in the front creates an interesting focal point. I styled it with white heels and a red basket bag for a matchy-matchy vibe.
More gingham, please! I never thought I would be one to try the capri trend, but leave it to this collection to convince me. The cute bustier-style top completes an easy weekend look I'll wear all summer.
