As the year draws to a close, it’s important to reflect. And there’s no doubt in our mind that it’s been an unforgettable year on the fashion front and a surprising one at that.
Trends once considered a fashion faux-pas made an unanticipated return (we’re looking at the puffer jacket) and trends once reserved for your unfashionable uncle landed on the runway (we’re talking about Christopher Kane’s crocs). It was the year luxe athleisure dominated the catwalks and pyjama dressing outside of the bedroom became the norm.
But it was the celebrities who really kept us guessing. From Selena Gomez’s style evolution to that red dress donned by Bella Hadid. So in celebration of this year’s surprisingly brilliant fashion moments, we chart the 12 best-dressed celebrities of 2016.
Solange Knowles
Not one to fear being out-shined by her elder sister Beyoncé, Solange has well and truly established an identity of her own. And in the meantime, has created her own (highly enviable) aesthetic.
Never one to shy away from pushing boundaries, the singer-songwriter favours bold hues over pastels, tailored co-ordinates over mismatched styles and sculptured shapes over the minimal. And we have never desired to imitate an aesthetic so much.
We’re talking a newfound desire for colour-block suits, smokey purple eyeshadow and bell-bottom flares. She’s well and truly introduced us to the perfect eclectic mix.
Best fashion moment of 2016
Where do we even start? The singer has taken a step back from clashing prints and primary colours in recent months, opting for a more subtle sartorial approach.
For the CFDA Fashion Fund Gala, Solange donned a silver wide-legged suit by cult label, Off-White. Taking inspiration from the album art for 'A Seat At The Table', the singer adorned her hair in silver slides - a look we're seeking to replicate come 2017.
Queen Elizabeth II
She’s not only the Queen of England but the queen of style if 2016 is anything to go by. Queen Elizabeth welcomed her 90th year in the most fashionable way possible. Cue colour block suits complete with dainty handbags and heels in identical hues. She’s living proof that you truly discover your sartorial identity when you grow up...
Best fashion moment of 2016
It was the outfit that divided opinion. To mark her 90th birthday, the Queen donned lime green co-ords for Trooping the Colour. And the internet went into meltdown, spewing a series of memes we don’t wish to feature. Because for us, that outfit was a bold statement. How many mature women transcend the safety of beige? Precisely.
Emma Watson
Renowned for her commitment to the feminist movement, Emma Watson has been one of the most influential women of the year. But it’s not merely her conversation that has got us talking. The actress has shown us the art of sustainable dressing.
Best fashion moment of 2016
Emma made headlines when she donned a pair of sustainable trainers by French brand, Veja. The cult label is renowned for using socially conscious methods to produce their trainers in Brazil and you heard it here first, they’re set to become the next big thing.
Mary-Kate and Ashley
It comes as no surprise that fashion’s most prolific twins have made it to the list. But who can deny their influential aesthetic? We’re talking oversized layering, floor-skimming skirts and sunnies on a winter’s day. Times two.
And this year the twins introduced us to the art of socks and Birkenstocks. Anyone who can make a fashion faux-pas cool deserves to make it to the list. After all, who didn’t grow up wanting to be an Olsen twin?
Best fashion moment of 2016
The Olsen twins made all-black garms a fashion staple but when it comes to the red carpet, they leave some of their iconic style rules at home. For the Met Gala, the duo donned floor-skimming gowns finished with their signature beachy waves and heavy jewellery. Utterly brilliant (and even better times two).
Alexa Chung
It’s hardly surprising that Alexa has made it to the list but this year she truly surpassed all sartorial expectations. Come on, did you see the PVC coat she launched as part of her second collaboration with Marks and Spencer? Talk about the most sought-after coat of the season.
But it was her Prada ensemble that really cemented her status as a fashion icon this year. What’s not to admire about a mandarin-collared pyjama style suit finished with plush feathers? Case closed.
Best fashion moment of 2016
We’ve never wanted anything more. A plume of feathers? Check. Mandarin collar? Check. Sorbet hues? Check. Alexa further cemented her status as our style muse in one fell swoop.
Selena Gomez
You may be surprised but listen up. Selena Gomez is 2016’s new contender in the style stakes. Through the use of Vetements tracksuits and silky slip dresses, Selena has sartorially smudged away her Disney aesthetic. A frequent red carpet goer, Selena has truly mastered the art of awards dressing.
From her iconic red dress for the screening of Rudderless to her newfound love of pyjama suits, the actress-turned-singer has become one of our go-to style muses this year.
Best fashion moment of 2016
Selena proved red is well and truly her colour after making one of her first appearances following a hiatus from music. The 24-year-old donned a Prada gown finished with Cartier earrings to the American Music Awards.
Olivia Palermo
When it comes to Zara dressing there is always one woman who will show us how it’s really done. And we often blame her for our addiction to the Spanish brand. Olivia Palermo has one of the most sought after wardrobes in Britain and the good thing is, it’s mainly high street. We’ve never known another woman don Zara on the red carpet like Olivia does. We’ve never wanted to take someone shopping more.
Best fashion moment of 2016
It was the shirt that most probably crashed the Zara website. It most certainly had us ferociously refreshing the homepage, that’s for sure. When Olivia stepped out in New York in the iconic shirt, leopard print was confirmed as one of this season’s most coveted trends.
Rihanna
Never one to shy from taking risks, Rihanna pulled out all the stops this year and forever kept us guessing. Throughout 2016 she’s coveted voluminous puffer jackets, fur embroidered Gucci tracksuits and regained the crown for ‘best in athleisure’ for a second year running. Nobody sports tracksuit pants with heels like she can.
Best fashion moment of 2016
Rihanna attended the spring/summer '17 show in Paris wearing none other than head-to-toe Dior. She accessorised the embellished couture dress from the spring/summer collection with lace-up shoes and a miniature bag by the iconic French fashion house.
Kate Middleton
A best-dressed list wouldn’t be complete without reigning style icon, Kate Middleton. With the masses seeking to imitate her royal wardrobe, the Duchess of Cambridge continues to spark sell-out pieces.
And it’s no wonder, as she seeks sartorial inspiration from none other than the late Princess Diana. Often donning Catherine Walker, a cult brand favoured by Diana, Kate frequently makes the headlines for her royal aesthetic.
Best fashion moment of 2016
So good, she bought it twice (in different colours). The Duchess of Cambridge first donned a red dress by Preen during the Canadian Royal Tour. Renowned for her stealthy outfit repeats, Kate then donned the dress a second time around for the Place2Be Awards back in November. This time, in black. And she looked every inch the princess.
Blake Lively
Nobody nails maternity style quite like Blake Lively. This year the actress was expecting her second child with Ryan Reynolds and took the opportunity to bring her fashion ‘A’ game.
From IRL Disney-esque ballgowns to that red jumpsuit, Blake certainly taught us a lesson or two when it comes to red carpet dressing. We’ll make sure to put her style rules high on our agenda come 2017.
Best fashion moment of 2016
When Blake Lively landed in Cannes for the 69th Film Festival, we were consistently blown away by her wardrobe. But there was one gown in particular that left us in awe. The actress donned an aqua blue dress by Atelier Versace, finished with a high pony. We can’t imagine she’ll ever top the iconic red carpet appearance, surely?
Kim Kardashian
A few years back, socialite and reality star Kim Kardashian wouldn’t have made it to the best-dressed list. But over the years (and most certainly post-Kanye), Kim has found her fashion feet. A regular on the FROW and with friends including Olivier Rousteing - it’s the perfect formula for sartorial success.
Like Rihanna, Kim has the ability to surprise us with her fashion choices donning everything from silky trackpants to Perspex thigh-high boots. Though her aesthetic is hard to pin down, Kim has undoubtedly influenced the next generation of street-stylers who don baseball caps, Vetements trackies and Yeezy trainers in the pursuit of luxe athleisure.
Best fashion moment of 2016
So Kim's aesthetic may not be considered best-dressed worthy by many, but there is no denying that she has undergone a serious style transformation over the past few years. And for that, she deserves credit. Our favourite look of 2016? At the Givenchy show, Kim demonstrated how to don this year's biggest trends. Underwear as outerwear? Check. A nod to the cold-shoulder? Check. PVC? Erm, yes.
Bella Hadid
One half of the Hadid sisters steals the spot in the best-dressed list after a year of sure-fire looks. And it’s all because of her ability to turn what should be considered fashion faux-pas into a trend.
Take double denim for instance. The model dons the Canadian tux like no other. Rose-tinted aviators? She has them perched upon the bridge of her nose most days. And as for PVC, she was wearing the trend long before it even was a trend. Look to Bella for guidance on how to sport athleisure and ‘80s fabrics this season.
Best fashion moment of 2016
If we had to choose one look from the year, it would have to be the 20-year-old's Dior number. Donning one of Maria Grazia Chiuri’s first designs for the house, the model attended the 'Dior: House Of Colour' event back in October. With clip-in bangs and a nineties-esque choker, we've never aimed to replicate a look so much. 10/10.
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