Sunday, March 23 marks 35 years since Pretty Woman’s Vivian Ward (Julia Roberts) uttered those now-famous words to a Rodeo Drive shop girl after she refused to let her try on a “very expensive” dress based on her $20 streetwalker outfit and the streetwalker salary that she assumed she’d be buying it with: “You work on commission, right? Big mistake. Huge. I have to go shopping now!”
Indeed, director Garry Marshall‘s 1990 rom-com, celebrated for the fairy-tale love story, delivered unforgettable style moments. Featuring one of Hollywood’s most grand cinematic movie makeovers, Pretty Woman sees Vivian, with Edward Lewis’ (Richard Gere) credit card, go from uncouth to chic in a transformation spawning that iconic shopping revenge scene.
In honor of the milestone anniversary, we rounded up five lesser-known facts that may surprise you about Pretty Woman and some of the film’s most scene-stealing costumes.
1. The Iconic Pretty Woman Dress Only Cost $20
The barely-there dress — designed by U.K. brand Hunza G — was a budget-friendly $20 black-and-white item that, according to Roberts, was transformed by the costume department “to make it a little bit different,” as she told British Vogue during a 2024 interview. The actress also noted the less glamorous reality of the “really uncomfortable” boots. (In the movie, Edward even makes a similar painfully true statement that a safety pin is holding the boots’ zipper up. Ouch!)
2. The Jacket Was Worn to Cover Roberts’ “Big Butt”
Vivian’s first self-styled attempt failed to convince the aforementioned salesperson, but in reality, Roberts attributed the jacket to helping her overcome her self-consciousness. “I thought I had a big butt, and that’s why I wore that jacket like that in the movie,” she told the publication.
3. The Look Inspired Emma Roberts’ Halloween Costume
The daring cutout dress warrants widespread recognition. However, Vivian’s entire look — complete with a newsboy cap, red coat and thigh-high boots — has also continued to permeate popular culture. In 2012, the ‘fit even inspired Roberts’ niece Emma Roberts‘ Halloween costume.
4. The Red Gown Was Originally Supposed to Be Black
That ruby-red ball gown that launched a thousand sighs transformed Vivian’s opera debut into a legendary moment that left Edward utterly speechless. It’s hard to even fathom director Marshall’s original, and ultimately rejected, vision of a black version — not to mention the likely change of the ruby-and-diamond necklace that stuns Vivian in the movie.
5. The Barely-There Clothing Made Roberts Uncomfortable
When Roberts first signed on to the project, she declared, “I won’t be naked” — and the lack of undress paid off. “I remember [costume designer Marilyn Vance] to be very caring about how I felt in the clothes,” Roberts also revealed. “I’m not really comfortable wearing such bare things, and she was very mindful and respectful of that.”
Hence, that’s the reason why Vivian swaps her one-piece for polka-dot sundresses and more to fit a Beverly Hills-worthy wardrobe makeover.
