Marilyn Monroe’s Personal Overcoat

Worn After Her 1961 Hospital Stay in New York and During a Mexico City Trip in 1962

From the personal wardrobe of Marilyn Monroe: An ivory cotton overcoat with satin lining. The label reads “Styled by Lawrence of London” and “Bergdorf Goodman on the Plaza, New York.” Marilyn wore this coat when she left Polyclinic Hospital in New York on July 11, 1961, following gallbladder surgery. She wore it again in early 1962 while traveling to Mexico City.

New York

On June 28, 1961, Marilyn checked into Polyclinic Hospital in New York City for gallbladder surgery. This was her fifth hospital stay in ten months. Joe DiMaggio was with her throughout.

On July 11, 1961, she was discharged. As she left the hospital, she was immediately surrounded by photographers and well wishers. The crowd was so intense that she felt threatened. She later said:

“It was scary. I felt for a few minutes as if they were just going to take pieces out of me. Actually it made me feel a little sick. I mean I appreciated the concern and their affection and all that, but it was a little like a nightmare. I wasn’t sure I was going to get into the car safely and get away.”

Mexico City

In early 1962, Marilyn traveled to Mexico City. On February 22, 1962, she held a widely covered press conference at the Continental Hilton Hotel. The trip was intended as a private retreat. She planned to purchase furniture and local handicrafts for her newly acquired home in Brentwood. She wore this overcoat during the trip.

Category:

Clothing & Accessories

Item Type:

Tailored Overcoat Personally Owned and Worn by Marilyn Monroe

Designer:

Lawrence of London

Acquired From:

Bergdorf Goodman on the Plaza, New York

Fabric:

Cotton with Satin Lining

Era:

1950s-1960s

Provenance:

Christie’s
The Personal Property of Marilyn Monroe
October 1999

Collector’s Note

This overcoat appears in two significant moments from the final years of Marilyn’s life. In July 1961, she wore it as she left the hospital after surgery, where she was immediately mobbed by photographers and admirers. The experience frightened her. Then, in early 1962, she wore it while traveling to Mexico City for a private retreat.

The coat is understated and elegant. It was purchased at Bergdorf Goodman and designed by Lawrence of London. It shows her preference for refined, timeless pieces over theatrical styling. Unlike her film costumes, this was clothing she chose for herself.