Rare is a conversation about the history of sex portrayed in the media that doesn't discuss the iconography of Marilyn Monroe. Dark eyebrows, contrasting platinum bob, milky skin, glittering red lips, sewn-on dresses, and that feathered voice. Sure, she is a sex symbol, but how did she get there? How does one just become that? This was before Instagram and contouring, people. I've read several biographies, watched just about every one of her movies, documentaries, films made about her, etc... and honestly? It's absolutely depressing. She was insecure, obsessive compulsive, and depressed. She grew up in foster homes, unsure of her paternity, and wound up married (1 of 3) at 16. Like most of her characters, she was indifferent about the havoc her sexuality caused. And contrary to a lot of her characters, she was not a "dumb blonde". She was a feverous reader and a known good cook. She changed the game, at a very high cost. The most interesting thing I've read thus far is her relationship to the moniker of "Marilyn Monroe". Most know she was born in 1926 in Los Angeles as Norma Jeane Mortenson. It's said that Joe DiMaggio married her expecting her to settle down and retire her symbolism, and that Arthur Miller married her expecting to be sucked in to the alluring tornado of her namesake.

Neither got what they wanted.

There's a scene in My Week With Marilyn where Monroe (Michelle Williams) and Colin Clark (Eddie Redmayne) are visiting a high school and run into some kiddies in a back hallway. Monroe turns to Colin and whispers, "Shall I be her?" knowing full well what he, and they, (what we all) came for.

When it comes to my outfit formula, sexy is not normally in the basic foundation. Like many modern women, I struggle with what that word even means to me and how it's represented in my clothing. What I do know is it's not defined by society, men, or even other women--it's defined by me and me alone. Kudos to women like Marilyn who stir the conversation and always keep us on our toes.