
There’s no better time than holiday party season to pull out your cocktail dresses. Sequins and sparkles are optional, but definitely encouraged. And, of course, there’s no better source of inspiration than the women of Old Hollywood.
The actresses of the film industry’s golden age ― to whom we turn for style advice regularly ― were masters of cocktail dressing. Whether wearing traditional frocks or even a plaid blazer (à la Audrey Hepburn), they looked oh-so-classy. They also appreciated a little sparkle and shine, which we can always get behind.
This holiday season, take some notes from these stylish women.
Marilyn Monroe

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The actress wears a black cocktail dress in a promo image for the 1950 movie "The Asphalt Jungle."
Lucille Ball

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Ball wears a sequined top in this undated photo.
Elizabeth Taylor

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The actress wears a black and white cocktail dress in Italy in 1953.
Audrey Hepburn

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The "Breakfast at Tiffany's" star wears a plaid blazer in 1950.
Lauren Bacall

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Bacall wears a silver dress in a promo image for Warner Bros. Studios, circa 1945.
Sophia Loren

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The Italian actress wears a red dress in this undated photo.
Joyce Compton

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Compton wears a floral dress in this undated photo.
Lauren Bacall

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The actress wears a bold red dress in this undated photo.
Dorothy Dandridge

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Dandridge wears a flowy jumpsuit in this 1956 photo.
Judy Garland

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Garland in a sparkly silver dress sometime in 1945.
Elizabeth Taylor

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Taylor wears a satin dress in a Holiday-themed publicity portrait circa the 1950s.
Audrey Hepburn

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Hepburn in a black cocktail dress, sometime in 1953.
Grace Kelly

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The actress-turned-royal wears a strapless green dress in this 1954 photo.
Gladys George

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The actress wears a sequined frock in this undated photo.
Gene Tierney

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The actress wears a beaded dress and pearls in this undated photo.
Joan Crawford

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Crawford poses in a sequin dress in 1935.
Rita Hayworth

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Hayworth wears a lace dress in this undated photo.
Natalie Wood

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Wood poses for a photo in 1955.
Esther Williams

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The actress wears a plaid skirt in this photo from the 1950s.
Rita Moreno

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The actress wears a wide-neck dress in this undated photo.
Ava Gardner

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Gardner wears a holiday-themed outfit in this 1960 photo.
Bette Davis

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Davis wears a dress with sequins in a photo from 1937.
Gene Tierney

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The actress wears a low-cut dress and statement necklace in this undated photo.