Film noir had its heydey in the Hollywood of the 40s and 50s, a time and place not known for its understated fashion, so it's no surprise that the style on screen is as killer as the plotlines.

Lauren Bacall, Marilyn Monroe, Marlene Dietrich and Ingrid Bergman were film noir's heroines, and it's not hard to see why their looks have been revered ever since and it's not hard to see why when you see them dazzling in monochrome, wearing voluminous silk blouses, and strong assertive shoulder pads to contrast with nipped-waist everything, in films including Touch of Evil, The Big Sleep, The Asphalt Jungle and Notorious. And let's not forget how Rita Hayworth slinked through Gilda in a dress that inspired many fashion designers to come, not to mention the creation of the sexiest cartoon that ever was, Jessica Rabbit. 

Get your red lipstick, eyebrow pencil and waist-cinching belts out, because you'll definitely be reaching for them after a click through the best fashion in film noir included in this gallery.