When Marilyn Monroe dressed to kill

'I like to be really dressed up or really undressed. I don't bother with anything in between,' said the tantalising Hollywood legend Marilyn Monroe once. 

With her inimitable oomph and perfect hourglass figure, the blonde bombshell created many a golden moments on big screen with her iconic wardrobe.

Here's a look at some of the unforgettable costumes of America's celebrated beauty, who passed away 50 years ago, on August 5.

The Seven Year Itch

The sight of her white halter neck dress responding to an unexpected burst of flirtatious breeze cause quite a million jaws to drop in succession. The image is most synonymous with the actress.

If Audrey Hepburn had Givenchy, fashion designer William Travill did the trick for Monroe.

The sexy star wore an array of dazzling gowns in Gentleman Prefer Blondes; especially memorable is pretty-in-pink number during the 'Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friends' gig, which was later paid tribute to by Madonna in the Material Girl video.

How?

Trust Monroe to answer the query in style with her pick of dishy bodysuits and lame gowns. So very spiffy. No wonder there's an extensive range of Barbie Dolls modeled after her movie fashion line.

French fashion designer Gerard Darel (with a clientele that includes Angelina Jolie and Jennifer Garner) fancied her cable knit jumper from the foot-tapping ditty, My Heart Belongs to Daddy SO MUCH, he bought it for an undisclosed price at one of Christies exquisite auctions.

Long before Angelina Jolie and Jennifer Aniston practiced the art of flaunting their perfectly-toned stems in long-slit gowns, Monroe showed some generous leg in flamboyant shades of green and red in the 1954 Western, River of No Return.

As an aside, she detested working on this project co-starring Robert Mitchum.

Pink is definitely Marilyn Monroe's colour. Look how well she works this cut out dress.

Want to know what makes her Hollywood's original sex symbol? Here's Monroe's version of The Little Mermaid, scales pattern, fish stockings et al.