You know what’s fun about celebrities? They wear nice things.
And we mean that in earnest. There’s just something about red carpet events and exclusive A-list parties that really gets the fan-girl within going. What better way to pass the time on your lunch break than scrolling through a gallery of stars looking drop-dead-gorgeous in gowns? It’s a bit of frivolous fun! And in 2021, we needed fun.
WATCH: The best dresses at the 2021 Academy Awards
We have no reason to wear a Valentino gown on our weekly trip to Coles, but you know who does? Zendaya. Okay, maybe she’s wearing that to the Venice Film Festival and not to the supermarket, but you catch our drift.
From The Met Gala to the Academy Awards, the celebrity calendar is brimming with opportunities for our favourite actors, singers, models and dare we say, influencers, to put their best foot forward. And it’s an opportunity for us regulars to revel in the glamour from the sidelines. It’s the thread that ties us all together: famous people wearing cool things in cool places.
Following a hiatus from the old Hollywood ways in 2020, the stars were back and better than ever this year as they turned on the charm for red carpet events and press tours. It was dreamy.
So, here are our top 10 best dressed celebrities of 2021.
1. Mindy Kaling
Talented actress, writer, and producer? Sure. Mindy Kaling is all of those things. But you know what else she is? Fashionable as hell. A red carpet legend and bold street style queen. Not to mention, she boasts the most enviable collection of accessories.
Whether she’s channeling old-school glamour in Carolina Herrera for the 2021 Primetime Emmy Awards, looking absolutely smoking in a neon green Alex Perry dress, or donning a fruit-basket-themed Tory Burch jumpsuit for a day out in NYC, Mindy always scores a 10/10 in the fashion department.
Mindy nabs our top spot because her vibrant personality and love of fashion shines through in each and every look – regardless of the occasion.
2. Zendaya
Zendaya kicked off her year of red carpet domination in a striking neon gown by Valentino, appearing to hire the wind as a supporting actor for her head-turning arrival at the 2021 Academy Awards in April.
Already queen of the cross-legged red carpet walk, Zendaya stepped things up this year with thematic frocks for every occasion. She channeled Lola Bunny in a colorful Moschino outfit for the premiere of Space Jam 2 and wore multiple Spider-Man themed gowns and accessories for the press tour of No Way Home.
And who could forget her wet-look custom gown by Balmain at the Venice Film Festival? Check out some of Zendaya’s best fashion moments in 2021 below.
3. Lady Gaga
Another actress wowing audiences with her performances on-screen and on the red-carpet, Lady Gaga was a glamorous fixture in our lives throughout the press tour for House of Gucci.
Wowing onlookers in everything from a flowing purple gown by Gucci to a velvet halter gown by Giorgio Armani Privé, Gaga basically turned each premiere into an editorial photo shoot.
Outside of House of Gucci, Gaga was turning heads in ensembles as she transformed her New York City doorstep into a daily fashion parade in the summer months. From a strapless Christopher John Rogers dress with platform boots, to a retro-inspired polka dot dress by Rodarte, she had us swooning over her seasonal looks.
4. Cynthia Erivo
If we had to describe Cynthia Erivo in two words, we would say: risk-taker.
Whether the star is wearing a semi-sheer floral Oscar de la Renta gown at the Venice Film Fesitval or Jeremy Scott at The Met Gala, you always know her ensembles are sure to push the boundaries. And she’ll always look flawless doing it.
5. Anya Taylor-Joy
Sharing a stylist with Zendaya (Law Roach), Anya made a name for herself as a fashion one-to-watch in 2021.
With her emerald green Dior gown at the Golden Globe Awards, and her Barbie-pink Dior gown for the Venice Film Festival, Anya brought a playfulness to the Hollywood scene this year.
6. Gemma Chan
If we were handing out an award for “best dressed for a single press tour” it would be a very, very close toss up between Zendaya and Gemma Chan.
On the trail for Eternals, Gemma wore too many stunning looks to include in one article. But our favourites were white Louis Vuitton gown with a feathered cape, her glittering Zuhair Murad two-piece, and her golden leaf print Oscar de la Renta gown.
Plus, we have to give a special shout-out to her Met Gala dress by Prabal Gurung, in tribute to Anna May Wong.
7. Jodie Turner-Smith
What can we say about Jodie-Turner Smith? She captured our hearts in a yellow Gucci gown at the 2020 Brit Awards and we’ve been obsessed ever since.
A Gucci ambassador, she regularly wows in their creations, from a custom strapless gown at the Cannes Film Festival to a striking dress with a thigh-high split for the premiere of Zola.
8. Kerry Washington
An icon of the red carpet, Kerry continued to serve up stellar looks this year – thanks to her shared stylist with Zendaya and Anya Taylor-Joy. That Law Roach sure knows what he’s doing.
Our favourite looks included a striped Ralph & Russo number, corseted silk Etro gown for the Emmys and her custom Etro gown from the SAG Awards.
9. Isla Fisher
Moving home to Australia in 2020, Isla Fisher attended many Hollywood events virtually this year – proving you don’t need to leave the house to be the best-dressed star on the “red carpet.”
Kicking off with a hot pink Alex Perry gown in March for the Golden Globes, Isla was a stand-out from the mostly virtual event. Continuing to wear bold patterns throughout the year, Isla wore a number of Aussie labels including Zimmerman and Scanlon Theodore in 2021.
10. Helen Mirren
Helen Mirren is the coolest. And she proved that once again in 2021 as she attended the The 74th Annual Cannes Film Festival.
Wearing Dolce & Gabbana throughout the event, Helen looked impeccable in everything from a figure-hugging glittering gown to a stylised shirt dress.
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