In compiling this list I was very sorry to see so few modern women that can really be classified as elegant. This has been a very difficult list to compile as there are so many women who deserve to be on it – so please be sure to tell us who you think should be in the top 10 (or even 15). If the response is overwhelming I may increase the list.
10. Eva Gabor 1919 – 1995
Eva Gabor is the elegant daughter in the family (unlike Zsazsa who hit a policeman). Eva was the first of her family to emigrate to the United States from Hungary. She is best known for her role in Green Acres, the comedy about a wealthy couple who move from the glamour of the big city to a farm.
9. Lauren Bacall 1924
Lauren Bacall is included here not just because of her style and appearance – she is also one of the finest examples of a woman who is strong without being manly or overbearing. She exudes the perfect balance of class and strength. Known for her husky voice and sultry looks, she became a fashion model and role model for women in the late 1940s.
8. Lucy Liu 1968
Lucy Liu was a tough pick – mostly because some of her publicity photos may be deemed to be anything but elegant, however, when fully clothed, Lucy Liu is always stylishly presented and carries herself with grace. She is also one of the most beautiful actresses in Hollywood today. Liu is also an artist in several media, and has had three gallery shows showcasing her collage, paintings, and photography.
7. Elizabeth Taylor 1932
Despite many personal problems throughout her life, Elizabeth Taylor has always managed to appear elegant on screen. She is one of the true bright lights of the American movie industry. The American Film Institute named Taylor seventh among the Greatest Female Stars of All Time.
6. Ava Gardner 1922 – 1990
Ava worked in the salt mines of the movie industry; in melodramas, historical romances and safari movies, in crime films and westerns: movies that film critics affect to despise. In the mid and late 1950s, Ava became a byword in beauty, a yardstick by which other actresses were judged. As middle-age caught up with Ava, she moved from Spain and settled in London where she lived in Ennismore Gardens, a very prestigious address, until her death in January 1990, shortly after her sixty-eighth birthday.
5. Ingrid Bergman 1915 – 1982
For her contributions to the motion picture industry, Ingrid Bergman has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6759 Hollywood Blvd. She continues to be a cultural icon — not only for her role in Casablanca, but for her career as a whole and for her innocent, natural beauty. In addition, she is considered by many to be one of the foremost actresses of the 20th century.
4. Cate Blanchett 1969
Cate Blanchett is an Academy Award- and Golden Globe Award-winning Australian actress. She has also won various awards, most notably including two SAGs and two BAFTAs, making her one of a few actors who won all four major motion picture acting awards.
3. Grace Kelly 1929 – 1982
Not only was Grace Kelly one of the most beautiful and talented Actresses of her time, she also became a Princess.
2. Catherine Deneuve 1943
Catherine Deneuve is the epitome of “French Chic” – even today she remains as beautiful and elegant as always.
1. Audrey Hepburn 1929 – 1993
By the mid 1950s, Hepburn was not only one of the biggest motion picture stars in Hollywood, but also a major fashion icon. Her gamine and elfin appearance and widely recognized sense of chic were both admired and imitated. In 1955, she was awarded the Golden Globe – World Film Favorite – Female. Outside of her Hollywood fame, she was a great humanitarian.
make it 20!
Where’s Scarlett Johannsen, one of the elegant beauties of our time?
I never particularly liked Hepburn; something about her acting tended to get on my nerves. Too sweet, too pretty, too fragile, although Tiffany’s is an exception, a more multilayered performance with areas of both toughness and vulnerability. But in Roman Holiday I rather disliked her. Bacall, Taylor, Blanchett are my personal favorites, acting-wise. I disagree with the suggestion of Knightley, as I find she, whether she intends it or not, comes off extremely snobby and her range and spunk always seem low. Yes, I judge performances on spunk. I also write long comments in the middle of the nights. Who are you to judge? Kate Winslet deserves a nod, as she is a brilliant actress and very beautiful, but Cate Blanchett overall has more of that regal elegance this list is going for. Nicole Kidman, too, but still Cate Blanchett is more appropriate.
Veronica Lake and Sophia Loren-the epitome of elegance. Why is everybody hating on Lucy Liu? I find her to be very classy and elegant outside of her movies. Especially when you compare her with the other “Angels” (Cam Diaz and Drew Barrymore).
Cate Blanchett is exquisite ! She’s gourgeous and fabulous actress. The best. The Queen of Red Carpet !
you should have included Catherine Zeta-Jones instead of Lucy Liu
What about Kate winslet???????!!!
Garbo! Garbo! Garbo!
thank you jfrater … i was going down the list getting scared that audrey hepburn wouldnt be on the list! she’s my favourite actress i love breakfast at tiffany’s … thank you again, we dont get many elegant women in movies anymore but im happy to see that you have some ‘modern’ people. i wouldn’t of had lucy liu (all though i thing she’s great) i wouldve put proberbly reese witherspoon or kate winslet
i think u should include nicole kidman in the list…for no 1, i just agree, audrey hepburn is the most elegant woman..indeed
Nicole Kidman should be in the list.
Now this is a list! Thank You!
Rosario Dawson (personal favorite)
umm
Diane Kruger, Brigette Bardot.
I love all the suggestions given here, and need to add my own. Jane Seymore. A stunningly beautiful, graceful and elegant actress.
I would also suggest Aishwaria Rai and Michelle Yeoh to round out the non-Caucasian element.
lucy liu should be at number 1
lucy lui beautiful???she’s horrid looking
what about kate winslet?
and.
“133.
brigitte bardot wasa not elegant, she was considered prude and cheap.. at least in france.
Rene Russo…especially in the Thomas Crowne Affair? Julianne Moore? Kristen Scott Thomas?
Please, Marilyn Monroe was not a bimbo- to say that shows how little you know of her. She was the first actor (nevermind actress) to set up her own production company – a thing unheard of before her, and had director/screen writer/producer approval before anyone else ever had, and she fought for it and got it.
Did any other actress/actor before her manage that? No. That takes brains, and she had ‘em by the bucket load. She read Rilke like most people read Cecelia Ahern.
Sorry, but just had to defend that one. hahaa
I think Kate Winslet, Natalie Portman and Maggie Gyllenhaal should have been considered. Lucy Liu? What a random pick!
I like Liv Tyler, Nicole Kidman, Faith Hill, Catherine Zeta Jones, Anne Hathaway (though debateably elegant, just a thought) Madeleine Stowe, Scarlett Johansen, Gabrielle Union, Zoe Saldana, Jodhi May, Keira Knightley, and Kate Winslet. just some ideas
My favorite is Cate Blanchett. Of course I am a huge fan of Lord of The Rings…
Scarlett Johanssen, Rose McGowan (in her 50's style attire), Emma Watson and Keira Knightley could be included.
Catherine Zeta Jones and Jennifer Connelly have been mentioned and would be great selections to have added. Vanessa Williams is always elegant and beautiful. Someone else mentioned Gene Tierney. Great selection. Though beautiful, Catherine Deneuve, imho, not elegant.
Great list. As a Black woman of class, I was very disappointed though that there were no black women on your list. How on earth did Phylicia Rashad not make the list?
Amazing never even anyone mentioned michelle pfeiffer ?
And sophia loren belongs for sure top 3
I utterly, utterly disagree with Lauren Bacall. Sure, she may LOOK elegant, but this is hardly the behaviour of a class act, is it?
Lauren Bacall once called up Shelley Winters whose husband, Tony Franciosa she was having an affair with, and said, “I’ve been waiting for Tony for an hour. Where the hell is he?” “Lauren,” Shelley replied, “you’re complaining to me because my husband is late for a date with you?” “Well, dear,” Lauren said, “if your husband doesn’t respect your marriage, why should I?”
This is really interesting to see how MOST of the men on here seem to are in the know of what elegance is. Yet I bet not a single one of you tells your wife, girl friend or significant other (if you have one that is) that she is pretty or elegant or something of that nature. No wonder women have low self esteem its because of you (all males that discourages personal beauty) cretins.
you kno what i will agree with most of it but der stil is room 4 improvement n its out der…..
As for modern elegant women – Scarlett Johanson?
How about Natalie Portman?
What about Lena Horne and Carole Lombard? And…I know I'm gonna get a lot of resistance on this…Angelina Jolie? She has some issues, but most of the women on the list do or did…oh, and if it had it my way, I'd also add Tallulah Bankhead. I like the voluptuous fleshpots and pretty gamine girls of the 50's, but I guess for me elegant equals the seductive androgyny of the 30's and the tough, lipsticked sirens of the 40's.
I am well into my eighties so my memory spans a good age, but I feel that the English actress Dinah Sheridan, born 1920, should grace your interesting list.
Seriously, Jacqueline Onassis didn't make the list?
I was thinking Marion Cotillard?
uhhhm…Greta Garbo?
And you couldn’t even give 1 token black woman? Smdh…lucy liu?? Over Lena Horne, Dorothy Dandridge, and that’s just 2…do you even know about these people…google them! Really the author of this list is not to blame its the notion that black women can’t be elegent we are neck rolling, loud ass snapcases! That is so far from the accurate representation of black women in general. This is the list that would turn me off from this site in general…too bad I’m addicted to Listverse
You’ve left out Kate Hepburn
get lost u bloody americans.m so *****y n hot.i can make whole america on fire.hehe
sarah u so *****y n hot omg cm into m arms.nud in m bd.m alrdy cming.cm cm na baby
In my opinion, one glaring omission is Catherine Zeta Jones. I think you would be better served leaving out Cate Blanchett. Catherine is a classic beauty
Marlene Dietrich should so be on this list!!!! And even though you’ve never heard of this one unless you watch True Blood or Durham County, Michelle Forbes should also be here!!
How in Christ’s name can you put Lucy f*****g Lui in a category with all these classic beauties?has listverse lost it?
i think Dame Julie Andrews should also be in the top 10.
So, can you do another list of elegant women in the movies that contain a few more ethnicities. I think Dianne Carroll when I think about elegant Black actresses. would love to hear your opinion.
Where’s Setsuko Hara in this list?
I think I would have chosen Myrna Loy over Audrey Hepburn. To me, Audrey Hepburn was more chic than elegant. Otherise, I love this list.
dear jfrater,
I am a big fan of your website, and this must not be a very easy list because of personal choice. But to forget to include Nathalie Wood and put Lucy liu instead…
I am finding many omissions from this list. But you’re right, they’re so many other Elegant Actresses. To name a few : Rita Hayworth, Kim Novak, Paulette Goddard, Raquel Welch, Yvette Mimieux, Veronica Lake……Yes, I agree. The list can go well beyond the 10 that are mentioned here.
Audrey Hepburn
The standard by which all others should be judged.
100% lady!
Emma Watson! Beautiful young starlet that grew up in front of the camera, and instead of going on a downward spiral like so many young actresses; hit the books at Brown, models for Burberry, and became the new face of Lancôme. You never see the papz catching distasteful or degrading shots of her. She is always the elegant young lady.
Julie Christie. She’s old now, and she’s still attractive in an old kind of way and very elegant. I can see why people didn’t like her in Fahrenheit 451, but that was only because the dialogue was such a mess that she couldn’t deliver it.
Paulette Goddard and Yvette Mimieux have been omitted from your list
Elegant Woman + High Intelligence = Mae West. That woman was no dummy and was a woman of abundant charm and wit. My two favorite quotes of hers is “I think that marriage is a great institution, but I’m not ready for an institution yet”. The other one was she was told that 10 very handsome gentlemen were waiting in her hotel room. Her response ? “Well, I’m going to have to kick ONE of them out, I too tired tonight”
I would say Milla Jovovich or Natalie Portman over Lucy Liu. Jennifer Connelly is more elegant than Lucy Liu too. Very elegant lady.
where is vivien leigh? oh no.