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    Fashion Deja Vu--Marilyn Monroe Edition

    Nowadays, two big stars wearing the same outfit is a major fashion faux pas, but back in Hollywood's heyday it was common practice to recycle clothes so the studios could save a few bucks. While many of Marilyn's dresses and costumes are considered to be style icons, she often wasn't the first (or the last!) to wear them. By Marijane Gray for Immortal Marilyn

    Marilyn's Sister, Berniece Baker Miracle

    Ann Miller

    Daun Kennedy

    Shelley Winters

    Grace Kelly

    Ann Miller

    Hazel Brooks

    Ann Sheridan

    Marie McDonald

    Unknown Chorus Girl

    Valentina Cortese

    Ava Gardner

    Jean Peters

    Jane Russell

    Gene Tierney

    Gene Tierney

    Julie Newmar

    Hildegard Knef

    Hildegard Knef

    Rhonda Fleming

    Nina Vale

    Sheree North

    Barbara Nichols

    Mitzi Gaynor

    Mamie van Doren

    Sheree North

    Sheree North- Double Take

    Mitzi Gaynor

    Gypsy Rose Lee

    Sheree North

    Abby Lincoln

    Ginger Rogers

    Jayne Mansfield

    Corinne Calvet

    Jayne Mansfield

    Barbara Nichols

    Hazel Brooks

    Roxanne Arlen

    Jayne Mansfield

    Jane Kean

    Mitzi Gaynor

    Betty Grable

    Leslie Caron

    Susan Hayward

    May Britt

    Madonna

    Ladies' Home Journal Model

    Mamie van Doren

    Barbara Nichols

    Doris Day

    THAT Gold Dress

    Marilyn Vs. Marilyn

    Unlike her on-screen roles of Lorelei, Pola, and Sugar, Marilyn Monroe was extremely non-materialistic. She knew how to glam it up for public events, but more often than not it was in a borrowed gown from the wardrobe department. Her everyday clothes were simple, comfortable, and classic.

    In modern times a celebrity would be eviscerated in the tabloids for wearing the same thing multiple times, let alone to premieres and other big events, but Marilyn did just that frequently. Maybe it was her upbringing during the Depression that made her appreciate getting some use out of her clothing, maybe it's just that such things didn't matter to her. Either way, she looked stunning whether she wore an outfit twice or ten times.

    White Satin Travilla Gown

    Black Sequinned Norman Norell Gown

    Black John Moore dress-Marilyn's favorite.

    The Checked Pants

    Marilyn had no qualms about wearing the same thing over and over again, but nothing in her wardrobe comes close to how many times she wore her favorite black and white checked pants. She was photographed in them over a fifteen year period, from 1945 to 1960. She had multiple pairs in varying lengths and wore them to photo shoots, while relaxing, and in between scenes on film sets.

    One pair was sold at auction June 4, 2005 for $2,600

    Another sold June 27, 2009 for $26,000

    A pair is part of the Ted Stampfer collection.

    To learn more about Marilyn Monroe and her life, please visit http://www.immortalmarilyn.com/

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    Special thanks to Marilyn in Fashion by Christopher Nickens and George Zeno