Marilyn Monroe's signature style: 20 looks that made her a fashion icon

Marilyn Monroe, who died at age 36 on August 5, 1962, was a style icon in the making as she publicized one of her earliest films, 1948's 'Ladies of the Chorus'. She may have been dressed a bit more conservatively, but she already showed the pin-up appeal that would eventually become known worldwide. Photo: Getty Images

Wearing a classic striped top and flat sandals in this candid, Marilyn gives today's #OOTD Instagrammers something to aspire to. Photo: Getty Images

A crop top, sandals and high-waisted shorts for a 1953 photo shoot on the California coast. Photo: Apic/Getty Images

The bombshell struck a pin-up pose in a high-waisted and strapless bikini in the early 1950s. Photo: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

Marilyn was a true golden girl in this metallic halter gown for a portrait session in 1953. Photo: Getty Images

Who needs a bikini to show sex appeal? She regularly wore one-piece bathing suits that highlighted her curves to perfection. Photo: Getty Images

Marilyn on the set of her final film, 1961's The Misfits, wearing the famed cherry print dress designed by Jean Louis. Photo: Getty Images

Always as stylish as she was sexy, Marilyn even played a 20th Century Fox Studio baseball game in heels. Photo: Getty Images

When on one of her many a publicity tours, as seen here in 1957, charming Marilyn knew just what to wear to get the press' attention. Photo: Getty Images

Sure, Kate Middleton loves skirt suits – but Marilyn rocked them too! Here she is in a powder blue ensemble and strappy heels, a costume from her film Niagra. Photo: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

Stiletto pumps and a trench casually thrown over the shoulders – the beauty often rocked the nonchalant and timeless combo, to glamorous effect every time. Photo: Getty Images

Never afraid to wear lingerie on screen, the rising star wore a silk robe for the drama 'Dont Bother To Knock' in 1952. Photo: Getty Images

The buxom blonde dazzled U.S. military troops in a sparkly dress to sign autographs during the Korean War. Photo: Getty Images

The megastar posed for this portrait on the set of 1950s classic How to Marry a Millionaire. Photo: Frank Worth, Courtesy of Capital Art/Getty Images

Creating an image that would be copied by scores of stars that came after her, Marilyn slipped into a hot pink gown for her role in "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes", the film that made the song "Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend" a hit. Photo: Getty Images

But it was the white halter that the megastar wore in the 1955 classic 'The Seven Year Itch' that would become one of the most famous dresses of all time. Photo: Getty Images

Playing the role of demure wife, Marilyn chose a simple black suit with white mink trim for her surprise wedding in 1954 to Yankee baseball player Joe DiMaggio. Photo: Getty Images

She wasn't so demure when she hit the town with husband Joe in figure-hugging dresses and fur stoles. Photo: Getty Images

Cool sunglasses + a pencil skirt = timeless glam. Photo: Getty Images

More than 50 years after her passing, Marilyn still inspires fashionistas and stars alike, and her iconic allure will no doubt last another 50 and beyond. Photo: Getty Images