2012 has been a long year. Let’s recap, shall we? Snooki actually reproduced, K. Stew was caught red handed with an older, married director, Tom and Katie joined Ashton and Demi on their roadtrip to Splitsville. We’ll always love Whitney Houston and we’ll miss Dick Clark at New Year’s. Even though this year has been a roller coaster of OMG moments, WTF moments and moments where we just had no words, there’s no doubt that 2012 was a fantastic year in fashion.

Gwyneth wore a Tom Ford cape to the Oscars, models went mommy (Alessandra Obrosio and Adriana Lima), Mulberry came out with the Lana Del Ray bag and Louis Vuitton sent an $8 million life-size steam train down a Paris runway, and, of course, stars rocked fashion from the red carpet to the streets of L.A. and New York City looking fabulous and fierce all year round.

Take a look below to see our 2012 roundup of the best-dressed gals in show biz.

Ariel Winter

As usual, it’s always the young starlets whose style I seem to adore most. Ariel Winter, who’s only 14 years old, consistently arrives on the red carpet (or on the street!) in such classy clothes that are not only stylish and chic, but age appropriate as well. Her Emmy Awards dress epitomizes that exactly–it’s fresh and young, but still mature and totally glam.

Carrie Underwood

Even though Carrie Underwood, much like Taylor Swift, doesn’t deviate from her comfort zone of sparkles and glitter all that much, I can’t deny that I love her for it. She mixes it up on the red carpet, always hitting the bullseye, and keeps it clean and classy while she’s on the go. Throughout this year, be it in her fairy princess-inspired Reem Acra gown at the CMT Awards, her dramatic and statuesque Abed Mahfouz gown at the American Music Awards, or the dazzling Gomez-Garcia confection (above) at the Grammys, Carrie proves that she’s definitely a best-dressed diva.

Charlize Theron

True confession time: I didn’t like this dress when I first saw it at the Oscars. I know, right? What was I thinking?! Charlize Theron looks positively regal here, which fits, seeing as how she’s more than earned the title of Hollywood royalty. Charlize set the tone for her year of fashion at the Oscars, continued in her slew of dramatic, high fashion ensembles at Snow White and the Huntsman premieres, and even pulled off a conservative but stylish and sexy gown at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. All in all, I’d say it’s been a pretty good year for Charlize–both on and off the Red Carpet.

Chloe Moretz

Chloe Moretz, another teenage acting dynamo, has more than shown herself to be one of the most talented young actresses in Hollywood right now. It’s merely a bonus that she happens to have immaculate style as well. Last year, she blew me away and this year she’s done it again. Although the question of age appropriate ensembles has been raised (take a look at her sheer-and-leather number at the 2011 premiere of Hick), Chloe never fails to step out in polished, elegant and downright chic attire. I hope we get to see more of Chloe on the big screen in 2013–mainly because I can’t wait to see what she’ll be wearing at the premieres!

Elizabeth Banks

I love The Hunger Games so much. Of course the books are amazing and all that, but come on. The Hunger Games also brought us Elizabeth Banks’ BOSS style on the red carpet this year. She’s amazed me in every premiere dress–this bright and sexy number, her short and sweet orange Atelier Versace and the sparkling Elie Saab gown that could’ve easily stolen Katniss’ Girl on Fire title. She looked effortlessly glam and put together this whole year–from award shows to premieres to her series of late night talk show visits –even her wacky (and possibly Hunger Games Capitol-inspired) Met Gala getup.

Emma Stone

Emma Stone just keeps getting better. Last year, she wowed with great Red Carpet choices (remember the how-did-she-pull-this-off red and pink Giambattista Valli dress at the Friends with Benefits premiere?) and even better street style. This year, she kept the cute and classy coming, with high fashion gowns at the award shows (like her dramatic but understated Alexander McQueen gown at the Golden Globes) and put together, but simplistic ensembles while walking in L.A. Her style is simply perfect and I can’t wait to see what she wows us in this year.

Jennifer Lawrence

I’d be mistaken if I called Jennifer Lawrence this year’s breakout star–she earned herself an Oscar nom in 2010 for Winter’s Bone (and was a popular 2010 Oscar best-dressed winner) and followed with a fun role in X-Men and a dramatic role in indie film, Like Crazy, both in 2011. She’s no stranger to the big screen, but The Hunger Games has brought her more recognition than any Oscar nomination. She made the rounds this year at premieres, looking bold, glamorous and just a little off-beat chic (see her somewhat wacky but somehow working People’s Choice Awards dress), and she wowed on talk shows, looking sleek and chic, but still bringing some of that Hollywood glamour.

Kate Middleton

When compiling this list, there was no question that the insanely stylish Duchess of Cambridge would make the list. Last year, she became a trend setting style star with her now-iconic Alexander McQueen wedding dress. This year, she’s continued her reign of fashion and style in so many classic and chic outfits that it only took me two whole days to decide what picture best captured her fashionable essence. With the help of my best friend/sister/style spirit guide, I decided on this gorgeous Alexander McQueen military style dress because it epitomizes Kate’s entire style. It’s simple, elegant, chic and most importantly, timelessly classic.

Kate constantly wows with perfectly styled suits and structured dresses, she consistently looks elegantly (and effortlessly) glamorous in evening wear, and let’s be honest, she pulls off hats in a way that hasn’t been done since Jackie O. I know I’m not alone when I say I can’t wait to see what Kate’s maternity style will be like! My guess is that it will be every bit as perfect as the Kate Middleton style we’ve all come to know and love this past year.

Kelly Osbourne

Kelly Osbourne is probably my favorite person to include on this list. After years of less than perfect (read: absolute train wreck) style, a somewhat flailing acting career and bad tattoos, Kelly’s finally got it right. She’s a hilarious (and sometimes brutal) fashion commentator on E!’s Fashion Police alongside Joan Rivers and has been nothing but fierce on the Red Carpets and off. On Fashion Police, she shows off her style in trendy but unique casual ensembles and on the red carpets she makes a splash in glamorous gowns (sometimes ones that match her hair!). There’s no question that Kelly’s style is bold and sometimes borders on too “out there,” but she’s always confident and that is what really makes someone best-dressed.

Lea Michele

Throughout the years, Lea Michele has always been on my best-dressed lists, though it may not seem like it from some fashion reviews I’ve given her in the past. The only reason I even dislike anything she wears it because, although it may be fabulous, it doesn’t live up to the fabulousness she’s demonstrated over the years! For example, my favorite thing she’s ever worn was that to-die-for Oscar de la Renta gown at the 2010 Emmy Awards. Compare that to the somewhat simple (albeit, looking back, admittedly gorgeous) gown she wore to the SAG Awards and you’ll see my point.

Take a look back–I hated pretty hard on that dress. But still, I can now admit that even when I don’t love what Lea Michele wears, she has amazing style that’s almost always nearly perfect. She’s a constant presence on the best-dressed lists from award shows and her style is unquestionably the fabulous style of a true Hollywood diva. Now if she’d just drop the trying-to-be-sexy slumping shoulders pouty face pose.

Leelee Sobieski

Leelee Sobieski is greatly under appreciated. She’s one of the best-dressed stars in Hollywood–I mean, look at that red dress. Look at that belt! It’s so simple, yet so stylish and, most importantly, timelessly chic and classic. Leelee is understated but bold–she stands out for bringing a slight edge to those chic classics that so few celebrities–and so few people–pay attention to today. I’d raid Leelee’s closet any day.

Michelle Williams

Another under appreciated well-dressed star is Michelle Williams. This year, she made a splash on the Red Carpet–not just for her outstanding role in Marilyn, but for her outstanding fashion choice as well. Her movie premiere looks were all incredible–from dazzling glitter and glam, to precious floral prints. Her street style resembles so many others on this list–chic, understated and timelessly classic, with Michelle’s own uniqueness inserted in. Michelle dominated with her clothing choices this year–except, of course, on the cover of GQ where she wore no clothing at all.

Miranda Kerr

All models are basically assumed to have great fashion sense. After all, that’s their job, right? The truth is, though, for every fashionable runway model walking the streets of New York or L.A., you’ll probably get about three who put no effort into their street style. Not Miranda Kerr. The Victoria’s Secret model, mom, and lucky wife of the yummy Orlando Bloom has one of the best street styles I’ve seen for any model. Whether she’s stepping out in bold floral capris, in leather pants and a sheer blouse, or in classic stripes with pops of military style or red accessories, she always looks not only on-trend, but classy, cute and perfectly put together.

Morena Baccarin

Morena Baccarin, most recently starring and co-starring in hit shows such as V and Homeland, caught my eye this year with her striking-but-understated Red Carpet choices. I’ve been a fan of Morena since she starred in the (unjustly cancelled and totally brilliant) sci-fi dramedy Firefly, but I’d never noticed her style before. This year, she chose perfect gown after perfect gown for the award shows and chose sweet but sexy dresses for various events throughout the year, looking gorgeous at each one. I seriously hope we get to see more of Morena this year (and not just because I’m still obsessed with Firefly)!

Nina Dobrev

It’s no shock that Nina Dobrev has great style. Ever since she stepped onto the Red Carpet at the 2011 Emmys, everyone knew she’d become a style superstar. She’s continued since then, choosing chic and stylish dresses for premieres and wowing us with glitz and glamour on the Red Carpet, like her enchanting and sparkling gown for the Met Gala this past year. There’s no doubt that Nina knows how to dress, and I have no doubt she’ll wow us all again this year.

Octavia Spencer

Octavia Spencer had one of the most perfect runs of Red Carpet dresses I’ve ever seen. Not only were they all expertly designed and tailored to her body by Tadashi Shoji, but they seemed to only get more and more beautiful at each awards show. Octavia knows what works and she works it. At the DGA Awards and the NAACP Image Awards this year, she veered slightly from her Red Carpet style gowns, still looking beautiful and stylish. Hopefully 2012 won’t be the last time we’ll see Octavia on the big screen or on the Red Carpet (I’m keeping hope alive for the 2013 Untitled Diablo Cody Project).

Rihanna

Rihanna, similar to Katy Perry or even Lady Gaga, makes some quite controversial and downright weird fashion choices sometimes. However, despite her recent fashion miss at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion show and the ripped leather/oversized denim jacket debacle at London Fashion Week, she’s still been one of the best-dressed celebrities of 2012. She knows how to take current trends and make them her own, adding some classic Rihanna edge. She looked incredibly sleek and chic in this revealing gown at London Fashion Week and it’s become one of my favorite looks for her. Her love life may be questionable and rocky at times, but her fashion and style is rock solid.

Rooney Mara

Rooney Mara first made a mark on Hollywood when she appeared for five minutes in the opening scene of The Social Network. This past year, she transformed into Lisbeth Salander, a kick-ass computer hacker. It was a distinct contrast to the picture of Rooney Mara at the Oscars this past year, a vision in white Givenchy. Rooney looked simply beautiful in stark white, her only accessory her red lipstick. Rooney kept her looks dark and dramatic all year long, resembling a picture of what Lisbeth could look like on the Red Carpet, and didn’t misstep once. Her delicate but bold style was showcased this year in a string of gorgeous gowns and classic-but-edgy outfits for movie premieres. Now if she’d just crack a smile….

Stacy Keibler

Stacy Keibler achieved status as the woman to provoke the most jealousy in other women (and men) when she appeared as dreamy George Clooney’s arm candy on every Red Carpet. But Stacy wasn’t just recognized this year for being the lucky girlfriend of one of Hollywood’s sexiest men. Stacy appeared everywhere she went–from the Red Carpet to late night talk shows–looking the picture of California beauty and style, with her golden hair and complexion and even more gorgeous ensembles. My personal favorite of hers from this past year was the incredible gold lame gown she wore to the Oscars, pulling it off in a way no one else could. As much I love when George Clooney is single, I love Stacy and her style even more.

Taylor Swift

By now, it shouldn’t come as a shock to anyone that I have a serious, borderline insane addiction to and obsession with Taylor Swift. As far as I’m concerned, she can do no wrong. However, I can objectively say that she was one of the most consistently well-dressed celebrities all year long. She stuck to what she knows this year in equally gorgeous, but only mildly different nude, sheer and white gowns and dresses that all made her look exquisite.

Her delicate and elegant style works and never lands her on a worst-dressed list. Taylor also had great street style, often dressing in flirty 50s style dresses, classic prints and, of course, her ever-present red lip. Taylor also showed off her more dramatic and high fashion side this year when she wore this incredible and intricate Zuhair Murad gown that she couldn’t have worn better.

She showed that she can stray from her normal attire of girly dresses in nude or white when she showed up to the MTV Video Music Awards in a sharp and chic white pantsuit and when she was striking in red at the Billboard Music Awards. I have no doubt that we’ll be seeing more of Taylor–and her spectacular style– in 2013.

Who do you think had the best style of 2012?


Ilana Falick has 18 post(s) on Love Twenty