Kim Kardashian in vintage Bob Mackie/Jean-Louis
So, when the news broke that Kim might wear the dress that Marilyn Monroe famously wore to sing "Happy Birthday" to JFK, my literal reaction was, "THEEEEEE dress?" Like, I just assumed someone was re-making it. But no. This is the literal dress that Marilyn wore, on loan from the Ripley's Believe Or Not Museum, which owns it, which is not at all the entity that I thought owned it. I have many thoughts: a) If you're talking about An Anthology of American Fashion....this is VERY on theme. b) It's also technically somewhat gilded. c) I cannot believe she managed this. (She also told LaLa Anthony on the Vogue live stream that she had to lose 16 pounds in three weeks, which is ILL-ADVISED, FRIENDS!) This is a COUP. I would be SO STRESSED, wearing this dress around and I assume she changed immediately. (She said she was accompanied by a preservationist and that she would not be eating in it, nor wearing body makeup of any kind; Kim is being careful here.) She also couldn't really walk in it, presumably because she had to wear very tall shoes for the hem to work. d) I sincerely think she looks amazing. She looks really, really good in this dress.
Kim Kardashian in vintage Bob Mackie/Jean-Louis
And I appreciate that she's wearing the period-appropriate pointy bra with it. Before last night, I somehow didn't know that this dress was at least partially designed by the great Bob Mackie, when he was a very young designer working for Jean Louis, the label officially credited with the dress, and who finished it, according to my readings.
Kim Kardashian in vintage Bob Mackie/Jean-Louis
You can see the required shoes here, and she really did need Pete's help to navigate those stairs.
Kim Kardashian in vintage Bob Mackie/Jean-Louis and Pete Davidson
Speaking of Pete, he also looks nice. Marilyn was allegedly sewn into this dress, so I wonder how Kim got into it. Of course, Marilyn had to get out of it, so presumably that created a way back in. Anyway, I just think this was very well done; it's glamorous, it's VERY American, and it's sincerely interesting. It's also nice to see someone wearing vintage to this thing, honestly. Kim has spent a lot of years trotting around in increasingly bizarre Balenciagas or Balmains -- wouldn't it be fascinating if she turns into a collector of fashion history?
Kris Jenner in Oscar de la Renta
Kris deciding to go in something inspired by Jackie Kennedy on a night when Kim is dressed as Marilyn is perhaps too psychologically weird for me to delve into terribly deeply and therefore I'll just say that I think this is good on her, objectively, and also I can imagine it on J.Lo.
Khloe Kardashian in Moschino
This was made in ten days, apparently -- prompting various people to wonder if Khloe only got a last minute invite for her first ever trip to the Met Gala -- and I feel like it suffers a little for actually being so similar to Kim's. I don't love the sheer aspect, but she looks pretty great overall.
Khloe Kardashian in Moschino
I would have argued to lose this....armpit ruffle? But I actually think it's the thing that keeps it from being TOO much like Kim.
Kendall Jenner in Prada
I actually sort of like this, too? It's like Gilded Age Widow on the bottom, modern goth on the top. (Or perhaps a salute to that awful McQueen gown GOOP wore to the Oscars that once, just better.)
Kendall Jenner in Prada
The sweep of the skirt is great.
Kendall Jenner in Prada
I even think she looks really good without eyebrows? It's not often you can say that.
Travis Barker and Kourtney Kardashian in Thom Browne
...this is weird but I also think it really works. She's wearing the deconstructed version of his look. (Intentionally, that's not just my interpretation.)
Travis Barker and Kourtney Kardashian in Thom Browne
You can see the details better here. Her waistband is cummerbunds; her skirt is like the inside of a man's blazer. I think it's creative and cool.
Travis Barker and Kourtney Kardashian in Thom Browne
OBLIGATORY.
Kylie Jenner in Off-White
I wish this were better on her, but I just don't know if I think she has the modelly elan to pull it off; I also saw a lot of tweets that were like WHAT IS KYLIE TELLING US IN A WEDDING GOWN and then Kim showed up in Marilyn's dress and everyone was like, "eh, who cares?"
Kylie Jenner in Off-White
Like, RIHANNA could pull this off. Can Kylie?