The Best And Worst Dressed Stars Of 2019
2019 was quite a fashionable year. Some of our favorite stars rocked every single red carpet like they owned it, dazzling us from head to toe. They didn't just win big at some of the year's most coveted awards shows — including the Oscars and the Grammys — they were also winners on every best-dressed list.
Budding fashionista Gemma Chan of the blockbuster hit Crazy Rich Asians solidified her position as a fashion queen in her slay-worthy wardrobe, while Lady Gaga dominated each red carpet in a series of jaw-dropping designer pieces. But not everyone delivered show-stopping ensembles throughout the year. Unfortunately, some celebrities completely missed the mark, and while we expected them to wow us with their fashion offerings, we were instead left scratching our heads and wondering, "What on earth were they thinking?"
As we say farewell to the final year of the decade, let's take a look at some of 2019's fashion hits and misses.
Jennifer Lopez proves fashion is ageless
Not only did Jennifer Lopez celebrate her 50th birthday in 2019, she also showed the world that fashion has no age limit! This songstress has always had a thing for clothing, and this year was no different. Whether she was baring her out-of-this-world six-pack in a daring two-piece, wearing a demure gown, or reprising that green Versace dress from the 2000 Grammys, J.Lo could do no wrong.
We aren't the only ones who think she's worthy of being the industry's best-dressed celeb. In 2019, she was honored with the Fashion Icon award at the CFDA Fashion Awards. As the CFDA Chairwoman, designer Diane von Furstenberg, said: "Jennifer Lopez uses clothes as a way to express confidence and power." We agree! For the ceremony, Lopez wore a stunning orange crop top with a matching skirt and flowy train designed by Ralph Lauren Collection, Elle reports. According to the website, Lopez's outfit was covered in "43,200 crystals"!
All hail the fashion queen!
Celine Dion is all about couture
2019 marked three years since Céline Dion lost her husband, René Angélil, to throat cancer. Since then, the megastar has not only stepped out with a new man (who may or may not be her beau), she's also kicked things up a notch in the fashion department. Dion hit up countless couture fashion shows in 2019, and each appearance proved just how much she's willing to push the envelope.
While attending Valentino's Haute Couture Show, she donned the designer's white, long-sleeved number, complete with a mock neck, feather embellishments on the sleeves and hem, and dashes of color on the front. Yellow teardrop earrings and beachy waves in her hair completed her look. Basically, the last year of the decade marked Dion's complete transition from her conservative outfits of the past to her new va-va-voom persona. And we must say, we're loving it!
Not everyone has been a fan of the couture queen's change in style, though. However, Dion couldn't care any less. Regarding her new style aesthetic, she told The Sun: "If you like it, I'll be there. If you don't, leave me alone." Amen, sister!
Timothée Chalamet has some strange accessories
2019 was the year of Timothée Chalamet, but not always in a positive way. Case in point: the tiny Eiffel Tower key chain he showcased at the December 2019 Paris premiere of Little Women. Everyone was puzzled as he held on tightly to the trinket, and it was later revealed the key chain was a gift from a fan, Page Six reports. Although it's adorable that he would flaunt the keepsake on the red carpet, it really took the attention away from his attire.
That wasn't the only accessory that made heads turn. Chalamet attended the Golden Globes in a contraption that many assumed was a sex harness. It began to trend all over the web, up until it was revealed the harness was actually an "embellished bib" designed by Louis Vuitton, according to the Independent. The actor completed the monochromatic outfit with a black shirt, black pants, and black boots.
If Chalamet continues to confuse us by wearing random trinkets and questionable attire on the red carpet, he'll surely find himself on our worst-dressed list once again!
Gemma Chan is 'dazzling'
Gemma Chan may have been a newcomer to the 2019 awards season, but the Crazy Rich Asians star kept her foot on our necks all year long. We knew she had amazing style potential when she showed up at the Oscars wearing a head-turning Valentino couture gown. While that controversial outfit unfortunately earned her a spot on worst-dressed lists around the web, one of her most noteworthy looks of the year was what she served up at the Met Gala.
With the theme of "camp," Chan wore a "dazzling chainmail dress by Tom Ford," complete with a matching silver cape and heels, Vogue UK reports. And we can't forget her dramatic headpiece, which was inspired by Elizabeth Taylor's appearance in the film Boom! "We wanted to make sure this was a chance for Tom to give his interpretation of the theme of camp, along the lines of extravagance, excess," Chan told Vogue UK. Basically, Chan stole the show and brought style and grace to the exclusive event.
Regina King is a beautiful 'force'
Regina King dazzled on every red carpet throughout 2019 as she tailored her signature style of shoulder-baring and leggy ensembles. And she really knocked our socks off when she wore a white strapless Oscar de la Renta gown to the 2019 Oscars.
But the actress didn't stop there. She later lit up the 11th Annual Governors Awards in a Ralph & Russo white-and-champagne beaded number, The National reports. Her braided hair had purple accents and was pulled to the side in a low bun, and King kept her makeup minimal to allow her gold earrings to act as the focal point of her look.
It's clear King knows which silhouettes flatter her immaculate shape, but we have to give some credit to the team who's helped create her signature style. "Regina sends a message of strength," Wayman Bannerman, who styles the actress alongside Micah McDonald, told People. "Regina is a force and we believe she exudes that on the carpet." Hats off to one of this year's best-dressed stars!
Julianne Hough is too frilly for us
We had an inkling 2019 would be a fashion flop for Julianne Hough when she donned a two-piece gold number and matching jacket to the Billboard Awards. Little did we know, the Dancing with the Stars winner had a whole arsenal of cringe-worthy outfits to don all year long.
At the October premiere of Netflix's Dolly Parton's Heartstrings, Hough wore a pale yellow, long-sleeved mini dress covered in white, frilly flower embroidery designed by Alessandra Rich. Her mock turtleneck and the hems of her sleeves and dress had a ruffle embellishment, and the sash around her waist was made of a silk-like material. Hough, who stars as Jolene in the series, opted for a pair of shiny chandelier earring and silver pumps to round out her look.
The silver lining in this fashion bomb is definitely her earrings, which Hough told Entertainment Tonight (via MSN) she borrowed from Parton herself. Other than that, we sadly have to give this look and Hough's 2019 wardrobe a thumbs down.
Charlize Theron goes on a fashionable press tour
When Charlize Theron wasn't attending an award show in 2019, she was on a press tour for Bombshell — and looked like a million bucks every step of the way. The actress pulled out all the stops and ultimately showed the world why she's still considered one of the best-dressed stars to this day. One look, in particular, was a black Dior number she wore to the movie's US premiere. The vampy, spaghetti strap dress included a plunging V-neckline and a fringe design at the hem.
So, how does Theron manage to consistently nail everything she wears? She told WWD she's lucky enough to have "very generous" people who send her really nice pieces. "I'm so fortunate to be in that position because my closet is always filling up with these amazing gifts," she said. However, Theron does realize she could never wear everything she's gifted, so her friends get first dibs on the things in her "nice closet." We're jelly!
Ciara shows off her versatility
Ciara is one of many artists who has crossed over from musician to a style icon. Even the fashion industry took notice of her impeccable sense of fashion when Roberto Cavalli tapped her to be the fashion house's brand ambassador in 2015. Years later, designers are still clamoring to drape the statuesque entertainer in their coveted pieces, and Ciara slays each and every item like a boss.
The versatility in her 2019 looks ranged from haute couture at the BET Awards to subtle yet risky at the year's American Music Awards press day event. The dark blue Aliétte leather dress looked striking against her dark hair and smoky eye shadow. A huge, exaggerated bow sat at one hip of the dress. To tone down her look a bit, Ciara opted for a pair of classy black sandals.
When it comes to getting all dolled up, Ciara means business, telling Footwear News: "You have to know who you are when it comes to fashion and expressing yourself as an artist because that's a huge part how people remember you." No wonder she's constantly hitting a fashion home run!
Kasey Musgraves gets swallowed by her coat
Kasey Musgraves started off 2019 with a bang when she took home four Grammys. Getting thrust into the spotlight meant Musgraves' fashion choices would also take center stage at many highly publicized events. And we were really hoping that her signature retro style would pull through. Sadly, it flopped.
She cited Cher as her "style icon" in an interview with Stereogum, but Musgraves' 2019 style might even bring a tear to Cher's eyes ... for all the wrong reasons. We thought her green, multi-tiered David Koma dress at the iHeartRadio Music Awards was just a minor misstep, but we now realize Musgraves might be in need of a style intervention.
While attending Variety''s Hitmakers brunch, she wore a pink plaid coat with a contrasting black lapel that practically swallowed her whole, along with a matching blazer by designer Tanya Taylor, Footwear News reports. The starlet paired her outfit with a pair of blue jeans and white Stuart Weitzman pumps. We just wish she'd left the humongous coat at home and simply wore the blazer by itself — sometimes less is more.
Lady Gaga is a winner in so many ways
Lady Gaga's 2019 was massive. Not only did she star in the critically acclaimed film A Star Is Born, she also took home her very first Oscar for the track "Shallow." The Mother Monster also did a complete 180 in terms of her style. Long gone are the days when she'd cover herself in meat before walking down the red carpet. The 2019 Gaga would never! Instead, she's all about couture pieces that hug her body in all the right places, like the shimmery silver Celine gown by Hedi Slimane she wore to the Grammys.
Her dress at the Screen Actors Guild Awards was just as electrifying. The V-neck gown with frayed hemline and ultra-high split was designed by Dior Haute Couture, Elle reports. Her dark lipstick and darkly rimmed eyes provided the perfect contrast against the white gown. E! News even agreed that Gaga's style choice was a hit, giving a nod to her "killer legs" in the beautiful gown.
Dan Levy brings style on and off the screen
Dan Levy doesn't just play fashion-obsessed character David on Schitt's Creek, he's also a fashion connoisseur in real life. Levy even pulls pieces from his own wardrobe to wear on the show, The Star reports. So, the fact that Levy owned the red carpet in 2019 is no big surprise. He has emerged as a fashion trendsetter who knows how to mix and match pieces to precision. At the MTV Movie and TV Awards, Levy was a winner in his bright red Alexander McQueen suit and white Burberry shirt with a paperclip motif around the collar.
Levy exudes confidence on and off the screen and hopes others can also find the courage to be proud of their own unique style aesthetic. "I think you have to feel comfortable in the clothes you're wearing," he told Vogue's 73 Questions, "because if you're uncomfortable, people can see, and people can tell, and that's not a good look."
Nicki Minaj reverted back and not in a good way
Nicki Minaj's style has been on a constant rollercoaster. She went from a wacky wardrobe during her Pink Friday era to a more demure aesthetic that even we couldn't help but rave about. But as we kicked off 2019, we realized Minaj was back on the outlandish fashion bandwagon, wearing pieces that have no business seeing the light of day.
Take her Met Gala dress, for example. With a theme of "camp," we expected the entertainer to go all out by wearing a theatrical gown that would steal the show. Instead, her Prabal Gurung gown (via Bustle) was a flop. The baby pink dress included a sweetheart neckline that showed way more skin than necessary, shiny crystals dripping down the bodice, and a bunched-up silk taffeta train. Meanwhile, her custom-made, lace-up sandals by Brothers Vellies were more of an eyesore — so we weren't the least bit surprised when Minaj made Footwear News' worst-dressed list for the extravagant event, as well.
Shawn Mendes isn't afraid of color and concealer
At any given award show, you're bound to see countless two-piece suits. But Shawn Mendes really owned the menswear attire in 2019, thanks in part to his penchant for donning colorful fabrics.
At the MTV Video Music Awards, Mendes rocked a teal number with an unbuttoned black shirt and white top underneath. Meanwhile, the American Music Awards saw the singer go for a tailored indigo suit by designer Paul Smith and a Marcell von Berlin teal shirt, according to People. The heartthrob also showed off his flawless skin, which was enhanced with some help from Yves Saint Laurent's Touche Éclat concealer. Ooh la la.
We love that he's taking a risk with his look, especially since he was a bit hesitant to experiment with fashion in the past. "I went through a stage of wearing black khaki trousers, a black shirt, white socks and black shoes," Mendes told British GQ. "I wore this look everywhere. I've really changed the way I dress."
Taylor Swift keeps it classic but edgy
Of course, we couldn't leave this style maven from our list. Taylor Swift has always been at the forefront of fashionable looks. She rarely looks a mess on the red carpet, so when she's invited to an event, it's a given that she'll slay!
2019 was yet another memorable year for the artist, including when she wore a gorgeous lilac Raisa & Vanessa mini dress at the Billboard Awards and this colorful number at the MTV Video Music Awards. Swift donned the embellished Versace blazer like it was nobody's business. Paired with some glittery thigh-boots, red lipstick, and perfectly imperfect hair, her entire look set the red carpet ablaze.
Swift, who defined her style as "feminine, experimental and classic" during an interview with Taste of Country, embraced edgier looks in 2019. We can only imagine how much bolder she'll become as she gets more comfortable with her style choices.
Katy Perry's Balmain dress is an internet meme
We expected Katy Perry to look like a princess all year long, but something was askew with her fashion choices. The artist attempted to wow us with this strapless Balmain getup at the 2019 Grammys. But the shiny pink and silver bodice, in combination with the pink papier-mâché-esque monstrosity on the lower half of her body, solidified her spot as one of the year's worst-dressed stars.
The American Idol judge's outfit even became the source of various memes, including one image where a crafty internet user turned the singer into a paint roller. Perry took it all in stride and reposted the meme to her Instagram with the caption: "hi to whoever made this edit." We're glad she can laugh at herself, but Perry's 2019 fashion choices are no laughing matter. Aside from the misstep she donned at the Grammys, she also showed up to the Met Gala dressed as a "human chandelier," Time reports.
Here's to Perry getting a style intervention before it's too late!
Cardi B redeems herself at the Diamond Ball
Cardi B had one of the best years ever, but we're still on the fence in terms of her style choices. To start, she left us shaking our heads at the Billboard Music Awards with her two-piece yellow Moschino ensemble by Jeremy Scott. The outfit, which may or may not have shown a little too much of her private parts, was too revealing for our taste. Nonetheless, Cardi B bounced back at Rihanna's 5th Annual Diamond Ball gala in September 2019.
According to Footwear News, the tiered and poofy dress was made by Lebanese designer Georges Hobeika. To go along with the extremely glamorous ballgown, the New York native wore her hair in an updo, with dramatic pink eye shadow, lipstick, and diamond earrings, because — duh — what other kind of jewelry would one wear to a Diamond Ball?
Now that she's a mom to daughter Kulture Cephus, Cardi B wants to pass on some sound advice to her little one. "The first lesson I want her to know is don't be too extra," she told Elle. "Less is more, you know? Elegance takes it all, every time." Here's to hoping Cardi B takes her own advice in the coming years.