47 Vintage Pictures of Our Favorite Icons Dressed in Denim

Back in the ’40s, jeans were seen more as utility wear—suitable for house or yard work—rather than a fashion statement. That explains why Elizabeth Taylor paired her bootcut jeans with a flannel button-down to wash her dog.

Jane Russell was one of the most well-known pinup stars during the ’40s and ’50s, but in this 1949, the actress showed off a whole new look. She swapped out her swimsuit for a pair of high-waisted jeans and brown cowboy boots.

Debbie Reynolds upheld her reputation as America’s sweetheart, while she played a game of baseball in 1950. The actress paired her cuffed jeans with a collared tank top and a hair bow.

Doris Day kept her outfit casual when she posed for a portrait at Warner Brothers Studio in 1951. Leaning against a bale of hay, the actress wore a pair of dark denim pants and a high collared button-down.

Marilyn Monroe paired her high-waisted dark wash jeans with a wide belt buckle and a white camisole, while she filmed a scene with Robert Mitchum in 1954.

Joan Collins strikes a pose as she admires her pet parrot in 1955. The actress makes a fashion statement wearing high-waisted jeans with a popped collared shirt and large hoop earrings.

At the age of 19, Jane Fonda poses on top of a lounge chair in a garden, while wearing a stylish monochromatic outfit. The actress casually rolled the sleeves up to her elbows on her denim shirt and paired it with printed pants.

Before Grace Kelly became the Princess of Monaco in 1956, she was Hollywood royalty. Looking as regal as ever, the actress struck a pose during a photoshoot wearing a paisley shirt, dark rolled up jeans, and ballet flats.

French actress Brigitte Bardot was known for her casual style. Here, the fashion icon is seen wearing what’s known as a Canadian tuxedo, a.k.a. pairing a denim shirt with a pair of jeans.

While performing with her co-star Keith Andes in the Broadway musical Wildcat, Lucille Ball wears a linen button-down shirt with high-waisted jeans. As far as accessories go, the actress wore her belt abnormally low around her legs.

As a young ingénue—and still a few years away from her Oscar-winning performance in Cactus Flower—Goldie Hawn embraces summer style in a ruffle tank top, a pair of white jeans, and flip flops.

While guest-starring on an episode of The Man from U.N.C.L.E. Sharon Tate films a scene with David McCallum wearing a white button-down and dark jeans. Soon after, the emerging actress landed her first feature film role in Eye of the Devil.

British model Jean Shrimpton gives the camera a stare as she sits cross-legged on a stool. For the photoshoot, the model wore a simple striped T-shirt and baggy jeans.

Katharine Ross looks polished and laid back in white jeans and a navy T-shirt in 1965. Although Ross was primarily on TV around this time, by 1967 she was one of film’s leading ladies, starring in projects like The Graduate and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.

Tina Turner wears a paired of faded flared jeans and a velour sweatshirt for a studio session at Gold Star Studios in Los Angeles, California in 1966.

Bianca Jagger’s take on festival style is everything. Here, she dons cuffed jeans with a peacoat, cape, and heeled boots for the Bardney Pop Festival in May 1972, as one does.

Jane Birkin poses for photos at the beach in 1973. The French actress wore a pair of relaxed jeans with a loose ruffled top and a pair of heels.

By the ’70s, jean skirts became a wardrobe staple for young women⁠—and American model Lauren Hutton was no exception. Here, Hutton looks effortlessly chic in a brimmed hat, a simple white tee, and a belted denim skirt.

Diana Ross parties in New York City in a casual look, consisting of high-waisted jeans and a tank top. The singer had recently branched out into acting around this time.

Olivia Newton-John sports a pair of bootcut jeans with a fuzzy sweater and turtleneck, while posing for her first album cover. The actress, who rose to fame as an actress in Grease, released her first pop single, “Follow Me,” in 1975.

Farrah Fawcett was one of the most influential icons of the ’70s—from her feathery hair to her best-selling poster. Here, the actress poses for a portrait in a peasant top, dark indigo jeans, and, of course, her iconic hairstyle.

British fashion icon, Twiggy, pairs a graphic T-shirt with flared jeans, as she strolls through London’s Hampstead Heath with her boyfriend, Michael Witney.

Spanish singer Charo opted for a coordinated denim look for her performance on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson in 1976. The singer paired wide leg denim with a matching bikini top.

Madonna strikes a pose during a studio photoshoot. Looking simple and chic, the singer wore a black cutout shirt, straight leg jeans, and high heeled boots.

A few years before her debut in Grease 2, Michelle Pfeiffer appeared on the TV show B.A.D. Cats. While filming, the actress wore denim hot pants and a midriff-barring button-down.