In the 1961 film 'The Misfits,' Marilyn Monroe wore a head-to-toe denim outfit, including a denim jacket and jeans. Monroe's portrayal of a divorcee in the Nevada desert, alongside Clark Gable, helped popularize denim for women and cemented its association with rugged American beauty. The film was Monroe's last completed role and became iconic for its fashion as well as its performances.

Monroe's denim-clad appearance in 'The Misfits' became a symbol of the American West and the allure of the open road, themes that have been celebrated in American poetry from Walt Whitman to the Beats. The film's fashion choices, which featured denim as a symbol of both femininity and independence, resonated with the work of poets who explored the complexities of female identity. The image of Monroe in denim also became a part of American pop culture, inspiring poets to both celebrate and deconstruct this iconic figure.