10 Best On-Screen Looks

Universal Pictures/Courtesy Neal Peters Collection

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Father of the Bride, 1950

Everett Collection

InStyle's fashion director, Hal Rubenstein--who knew Elizabeth Taylor personally--weighs in on the actress' most iconic film looks.

"This is a rare glimpse of Taylor looking refreshingly young and unworldly. Covered in lace, this bears an uncanny resemblance to Grace Kelly's wedding gown--which designer Helen Rose also created."

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A Place in the Sun, 1951

Paramount/Courtesy Neal Peters Collection

"Taylor is at her most irresistible here: seductive and innocent all at once. This dress was the blueprint for every prom dress in the '50s."

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Giant, 1955

Everett Collection

"If every woman on the ranch looks this sexy, no one would leave the farm."

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Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, 1958

MGM/Courtesy Neal Peters Collection

"This is the perfect white cocktail dress. Variations on it were made for decades—and sold out every time."

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Suddenly Last Summer, 1959

Everett Collection

"This is one of the sexiest swimsuits on-screen—and it’s a one-piece. That says something about Taylor's allure."

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Butterfield 8, 1960

Everett Collection

"Taylor is one of the few that can look glam in her underwear—that sexy, ‘so over it’ look is perfection."

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The V.I.P.s, 1963

Everett Collection

"Pierre Cardin, who was uncredited for this look, created the beginning of the jet-set look: sleek, modern glamour."

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Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, 1966

Everett Collection

"Taylor's complete conviction and willingness to be transformed shows her commitment to her craft. Although she was the most beautiful actress in Hollywood, she was also one of the best actresses."

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The Taming of the Shrew, 1967

Everett Collection

"This is the most glamorous wench that's ever been. Her look fit the Renaissance bravado perfectly."

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Boom!, 1968

Universal Pictures/Courtesy Neal Peters Collection

"Italian fashion label Tiziani created the costumes for this film. Little known fact: Karl Lagerfeld was the label's chief designer at the time. The clothes were extravagant, ridiculous-and completely amazing."

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10 Best On-Screen Looks

1 of 10

Father of the Bride, 1950

1 of 10

2 of 10

A Place in the Sun, 1951

2 of 10

3 of 10

Giant, 1955

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4 of 10

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, 1958

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5 of 10

Suddenly Last Summer, 1959

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6 of 10

Butterfield 8, 1960

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The V.I.P.s, 1963

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Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, 1966

8 of 10

9 of 10

The Taming of the Shrew, 1967

9 of 10

10 of 10

Boom!, 1968

10 of 10

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10 Best On-Screen Looks

1 of 10

Father of the Bride, 1950

1 of 10

2 of 10

A Place in the Sun, 1951

2 of 10

3 of 10

Giant, 1955

3 of 10

4 of 10

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, 1958

4 of 10

5 of 10

Suddenly Last Summer, 1959

5 of 10

6 of 10

Butterfield 8, 1960

6 of 10

7 of 10

The V.I.P.s, 1963

7 of 10

8 of 10

Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, 1966

8 of 10

9 of 10

The Taming of the Shrew, 1967

9 of 10

10 of 10

Boom!, 1968

10 of 10

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