2023 was a year when fashion was on the rise (and, of course, some downturns); How many nude dresses does it take on the red carpet to stop a trend? We are way over the limit tbqh). The SAG-AFTRA strike may have brought a brief pause to red carpet proceedings, but thank Instagram for the information to keep us going after hours. Who made our best dressed list? Those who came, wore and conquered did something interesting, pushed the fashion envelope or ten and ended up entertaining us. Our top ten runners have been announced:
Rihanna
His Superbowl halftime performance in February was the most watched performance of all time; Yes, she’s a little crazy, but please take a moment for the custom Loewe red jumpsuit and breastplate look in which she casually dropped the news of her second pregnancy. Her more fiercely gorgeous maternity looks continued at the Oscars (three in total), and before that, she closed out the Met Gala once again with a custom Valentino look replete with white camellia appliques in honor of Karl Lagerfeld’s Chanel tenure.
Mom style – see the latest purple big bird jacket (I adore) becoming increasingly important. Is there anyone in the world as cool as Rihanna? We don’t think so.
Emma Corrin
From kicking off a serious luxury trouser trend on the Miu Miu Paris catwalk in March, to Princess Diana’s playful cosplays at the recent premiere of her latest line. CrownCorrin has continued her rise to becoming one of our favorite style provocateurs.
We are riveted when they climb each step and repeat. So who else would be playful enough to let Harry Lambert fork his hair for the cover of ES magazine? More please, Emma.
Ncuti Gatwa
The latest Timelord on the market is a forward-thinking fashion plate and gives us everything we want; which doesn’t preclude devotion to A Full Look. His pure-hearted embrace of unexpected, exciting and offbeat pieces was just what the doctor ordered (sorry).
Where to start? Perfect 10 Ken premieres appearance with Margot Robbie and friends on Barbie tour? Is Burc Akyol’s number with a sheer satin half skirt in Vogue World? A pleated Thom Browne skirt suit for Wimbledon? Sweet braids and pink arm candy front row at JW Anderson? It gives and it gives.
Paul Mescal
Hasn’t he strayed too far from that golden chain? Mescal joined the ranks of A-list fashion dads this year with his perfect pose of flashy slogan T-shirts (“untie your tongue” Paul, stop it), layered knitwear, and striking red carpet interpretations of black tie.
Not to mention Sabato de Sarno’s internet-stopping look in one of the first Gucci campaigns. Legs akimbo, trench coat open to reveal boxers, a white vest and legs, and a mullet beard. Elegant.
margot robbie
Fashion fun is the industry’s favorite fashion phrase, and it’s a move proven time and time again by Barbie’s overwhelming event this summer – have outfits ever been this fun on the red carpet? Are we a little tired of Robbie’s finale to the endless incarnations of my-size Barbie? Sure, but aren’t we incredibly amused, fascinated, and seduced by this adult female doll costume? Definitely.
Our base look was definitely the black fishtail custom Schiaparelli number inspired by the classic ’60s Barbie, followed closely by the pink ’80s Judith Leiber glitter phone in Seoul. And then there was pink, lots of pink. We (not so) secretly admired them all.
Pedro Pascal
We thank Pascal for his service to the Carhartt Fathers of East London for his warm apocalyptic look at The Last of Us. Has an old plaid shirt ever looked more aspirational next to a mushroom-headed zombie? Discuss. But far from the end of the world, the fashion daddy continued his rise.
A bare leg in Valentino shorts, a yellow button-down shirt with a sleek and matching sweater casually slung over the shoulder, lamellar silver cardigans and knits? Frankly, we need to lie down a bit. And our father.
Michaela Coel
In a sea of suave, soothing red carpet options, Coel is the epitome of originality and personality. They may be less visible, but they are always worth paying attention to. At this year’s Met Gala, Schiaparelli dazzled in her haute couture, but it was her jewelry choices that set her defiantly apart. Eschewing the (paid) offerings of countless big brands, it has instead chosen to support independent talent and reflect its West African roots. Her extraordinary earrings and headpiece were made by British-Ghanaian Emefa Cole, who works at Goldsmith’s headquarters in London. Coel’s custom-cast pieces were created during a move to an SMO (single mineral origin) mine in Ivory Coast to source fully traceable and responsibly sourced gold.
In December. Coel picked up the Pandora Change Leader award at the Fashion Awards for her striking white look by Manchester-born Maximilian Davis for Ferragamo. Be quiet, major.
Sienna Miller
M&S has been staging a comeback for years, but it’s only by hiring everyone’s favorite millennial blonde, Sienna Miller. Can Miller, the style lover of every woman in her forties, draw them back to the sometimes staid stalwart of the British high street? With a series of Succession-esque nods to hidden wealth in sleek knits and easy black suits, yes! Results increased by 30 percent year-on-year.
But it did not save ordinary women from fashion oblivion. Miller’s final appearance on the cover of US Vogue, where she flaunted her baby bump at almost 42, cemented her place as a reliable style icon for all.
Beyonce
The Renaissance tour reinforced Queen Bey’s role as the consummate arbiter of fashion. From that trompe l’oeil Loewe sequined jumpsuit to Courréges and Balmain bodices, not to mention the prayer of London-based star turns she’s tapped for the Tottenham leg.
This casting call included Vivienne Westwood, Roksanda, David Koma and Mary Katrantzou. We must also take into account the not insignificant contribution to starting this year’s big silver trend. He came, killed etc.
Pamela Anderson
Ms. Anderson has made a much-acclaimed return to the public eye from the Netflix documentary to the front row, and some seriously sweet looks to go along with it. But it was her face peeking out from under a giant hat at the Andreas Kronthaler for Vivienne Westwood show in Paris that kicked off one of the year’s sweetest style moments. In a sea of Botoxed and padded faces, her makeup-free face was as refreshing as a sea rescue in a red one-piece.
He also highlighted a sharp point: Why is microneedling, esthetician-bookmarking Gen Z so afraid of aging? Absolutely gorgeous. Oh to be so free from f**** in the best of times. Pamela, we love you.