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Was Marilyn Monroe really a size 10?

I read/heard somewhere that Marilyn Monroe was a size 10, but I wonder if it was just an urban legend.

Evidence:
Yes, she was curvaceous, but she was also really short (between 5'2" and 5'5", depending on the source). She would be swimming in a size 10.

Today's women's size 10 is NOT the same as 1952's size 10 (the year of her death). Sizes have changed dramatically since then (Hint: they keep getting smaller. Of course.).

Other sources claim she was a British size 16 (a US size 12), a US size 16, or a number of other sizes. Not to mention reports of her measurements varied widely, too, even from around the same year.

Obviously she was sexy, and size is only a number. Women who rock a size 10 can be as sexy as a size 2. I was just wondering if anyone out there with more expertise in Marilyn Monroe/fashion history can help me out. Googling this has gotten me nowhere. Non-internet sources more appreciated (has anyone read her biography?). Thanks!

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5 Answers

  • Avatar_default
    Reputation: 108

    The size thing is pretty hard to pin down, since as you mentioned sizing has changed quite a bit over time and varies dramatically by country, designer, manufacturer, etc.

    According to measurements from Marilyn Monroe's dressmaker:
    Height: 5 feet, 5½ inches
    Weight: 118-140 pounds
    Bust: 35-37 inches
    Waist: 22-23 inches
    Hips: 35-36 inches
    Bra size: 36D

    (published several places. I found it at:
    http://jezebel.com/5299793/for-the-last-time-what-size-was-marilyn-monroe#ixzz0vBl0a4zJ)

    Which would mean she would probably buy a modern ready-to-wear size 4-6 and would need to have it tailored significantly to nip in at the waist.

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  • Avatar_default
    Reputation: 1

    she was 5 foot 5.5, and her weight varied dramatically (when she died she was 118 lbs, so if you look at her last photo shoot, that should give you a baseline for comparison). like everybody's saying, sizing has changed a lot (and is inconsistent f. brand to brand) so i don't think the size thing means anything. also, even at the start of her career she was considered a little chubby, but sexy (according to Emmeline Snively, her first modeling agent)(though honestly, I can't see why. i'm an ex-anorectic, crazy, hypercritical bitch about body fat, and I think she was HOT, always.)

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  • Bauhaus_small
    Reputation: 634

    She had what would be considered today a rather large derriere (check it out in Some like It Hot or The Prince and the Showgirl). She needed a size 12, but with today's vanity sizing, that's probably a size 8 or 10 today. It all changed after Twiggy, of course, but before then, fashionable women (Audrey Hepburn notwithstanding) could have curves - in short, knockers and an ass...not an enormous ass, but definitely some meat back there. Even high fashion models like Suzy Parker, while thin, was a little voluptuous.

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  • Hawaii_3_luau_whales_ioa_014_small
    Reputation: 1723

    Sorry, but you need to find a good biography of Marilyn, quick!

    Marilyn was found in the nude in 1962, not 1952.

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  • Avatar_default
    Reputation: -7

    Yes - I've read it estimated higher, but she was at least a 10. I read a book by one of her photographers that discussed this size issue.(Can't think of who... sorry). But, sizes were different back then. Size 6 was a string bean like Audrey Hepburn maybe or Katherin Hepburn who was in between the other two? Marilyn was indeed larger than women are allowed to be today, but she was gorgeously full figured. All of the pinups were back then. I'd bet Selma Hyack (sp) is similar though not as big (not allowed to be). Katy Perry is full figured too although a little leaner than Marilyn, and I've heard people call her FAT!! She looks perfect and is obviously toned. Insane.

    Side note for comparison. Personally, I've gone from a six 6 to a 2-4 and haven't changed weight or size one iota. I'm a string been pretty. I even got stressed-out one time and lost some weight and hit a 0. A ZERO! That's insanity - I'm 5'8" tall with broad shoulders so even if I am skinny, I would never, EVER be a zero in Marilyn's day.

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