Grace Kelly's 80th Birthday: See Her Gorgeous Garments (PHOTOS)

Tomorrow would have been style icon Grace Kelly's 80th birthday. She began her career as one of Hollywood's darlings, but later left the red carpet to take Monaco's throne after marrying Prince Rainier in 1956. Until her death in 1982, Princess Grace lived up to her name, wearing beautiful gowns, capes, suits and jewels while hobnobbing with designers, directors and royals. She was honored last month with the Rodeo Drive Walk of Style Award in Beverly Hills.

See how her gorgeous garments made her the epitome of grace:

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Comments

[lemondade]

she was so beautiful, and a very good actress. she was always so poised and feminine (never tacky or overly sexual in her conduct on screen). it is a tragedy that her life was not longer for the sake of her children and grandchildren. i feel very badly about her tragic death. God Bless Her Children and All of Her Grandchildren. AMEN.

[KingCujo]

January Jones portrayed her tonight in a tastless skit on SNL. JJ is a beauty in the vein of GK.

[ss193]

Grace Kelly was so beautiful in such an ordinary way. Nothing over the top like we have today. When she took her makeup off, she was still recognizable as herself. To see her at her best, get "Rear Window", still a great movie.

[Lesann]

That is so true. I LOVE the clothes she wears in that movie, and I'm not really a clothes horse. What a beautiful woman she was.

[katieandtom]

i think grace kelly was one of the worlds great beauties. classically beautiful. her wedding dress was gorgeous.

i think january jones on the tv show mad men looks a lot like her. love the late 50s early 60s era when women looked like ladies.

[lillibelle]

The most graceful of Graces. Her daughter Caroline grew to bear a very strong resemblance to her beautiful mom.

http://www.biography.com/images/database_images/caroline_princess.jpg

[bonojerry]

In 1969, if I remember right, the destroyer, USS Robert H McCard made a stop in Monaco. The prince invited, the captain, some officers, and a representive couple of enlisted men to the palace for dinner. A friend of mine was one of the enlisted men who attended.

Everyone was seated at the table, but Princess Grace was late in sitting down. She chose the seat next to him, and as she slid into her seat, she whispered, "please excuse my fat ass." That was a great memory made that day...an incredibly elegant gesture on her part.

[lillibelle]

Great little story!

[Chloe33]

So beautiful. Grace Kelly was the ultimate in grace, class and beauty.

[Two Cents]

Yes. ("To Catch a Thief" is one of my all time favorites.)

[yemaya]

What a beauty, and he got better looking as he got older, not fair!

[mssreader]

yemaya HE, no Grace was a lady!

[thenakedlens]

One of the classiest hotties ever....

[DamianLA]

Are my eyes playing tricks on me or did one poster state that She was overrated in the looks department?? How could anyone think Princess Grace could be overrated in the looks department?

Also - it is actually inappropriate to refer to Her as 'Grace Kelly'; She should only be referred to as Princess Grace or Grace Of Monaco.

[Suntio]

I thought it was illegal for Americans to hold aristocratic titles.

[wm1066]

I think that only applies when your are talking about her later years as royalty, when your talking about her before she married "Grace Kelly" is just fine.

[DamianLA]

Americans cannot hold titles, unless they give up citizenship, which She did. My moms grandparents were the Baron and Baroness of Sligo, in Ireland; but when they came to America they became plain old Mr. and Mrs. Loftus. Which they were fine with.

And although it okay to refer to Grace Kelly on the back of a movie DVD She was in, protocol dictates She be referred to as Princess Grace when you refer to Her in the present.
Although Her family were pig farmers on one of our old estates in County Mayo, whenever She came to visit in D.C., my Grandmother would curtsy & address Her as 'Your Highness' or 'Ma'am'.

I know it seems silly, and in a lot of ways it is, but there was something very polite and dignified about the whole act. And I think as I've gotten older and people have grown so dreadfully coarse; I've learned to appreciate it more.
And god knows, Princess Grace inspired a certain amount of awe. She was mesmerizing to look at.

[Naajoa]

"it is actually inappropriate to refer to Her as 'Grace Kelly'; She should only be referred to as Princess Grace or Grace Of Monaco."

Are you kidding me with this? This is America buddy, we do not give a you know what about monarchy. In these United States, she Grace Kelly!

[Naajoa]

"she Grace Kelly" should read *she is Grace Kelly*

[wm1066]

TCM movie channel has been running a bio by one of her sons, great perspective, nice memories. Its only about 15 minutes long. She was a wonderful woman.

[NevaforLeadership]

She only had one son.

[wm1066]

Well, she did have two daughters, wasn't one daughter with her when she died?

[Bluebell1]

She's was truly beautiful, even in her later years. She dressed well and really carried herself with, appropriately enough, grace. Sad she died the way she did.

[EmeraldWorld]

Nice fashion, but she was a bit overrated in looks. So was Marilyn Monroe.

[Politiqo]

Your idea of beauty is probably M!chelle Obama, in which case it lacks credibility.

[EmeraldWorld]

Not everyone thinks blond, blue eyed people are nice to look at. I don't find THAT a credible idea of beauty, especially since it's forced on everyone.

[bowthai]

Wtf does Michelle Obama have to do with this? Should beauty be defined by one look or person? Princess Grace was several generations before my time, but I can still admire her for style, talents, and devotion. Just like I admire Michelle Obama now for those same qualities. Each woman can show this in different ways, but I think what both have in common, if you're going to bring the two together, is that they seem true to themselves and willing to be defined on their own terms.

[Aesthete]

Beauty is diverse. We are not clones of each other! I can find both Grace Kelly and Michelle Obama to be beautiful women. There is no problem here.

[pearlx2]

Excuse you -- millions of people find Michelle Obama to be very beautiful. If you don't, it's okay. Just wanna be sure you know the facts.

[thenakedlens]

What?!

[lillibelle]

Grace Kelly and Marilyn Monroe were 'overrated?'

Put your specs on, honey! Besides the blue-eyed, blonde look which you find unattractive (BTW ~ MM as a natural brown-eyed brunette was equally mesmerizing) take a look at their bone structure, height, curves, and most importantly ~ their personalities ~ delicious feminine and charming.

[NevaforLeadership]

The most beautiful wedding dress ever!

These photos are a great example of trendy vs. classical fashion.

Embarrassing retrospective: Nureyev's 1968 getup!

Michelle Obama's belts will go down as an embarrassing retrospective individual trend.

[Bafun]

you are right, the coat is for sure made of Upholstery fabric used for her headboard!