The Best Dresses of 2015

A new year and Red Carpet season is officially upon us!  With the Oscars at the end of February the next two months are going to be filled with some amazing pieces. It actually started last night and I like Elle’s roundup of the Best Dressed at the 2016 People’s Choice Awards – Kate Hudson in that white structured Galvan jumpsuit?  Love. But before we can get underway, let’s take a step back.  

Every year InStyle Magazine magazine puts together a list of their best looks of the year.  It has evolved since I covered their Best Looks and Trends of 2013 more than two years ago and now the annual wrap-up covers hits, misses, trending hashtags, and everything in-between. They called it The Style 100 and from their list picked some of my favorite dresses of 2015. This year the list features two ladies who I have already included as style icons  – Blake Lively and Emily Blunt – and more I am sure I will cover in the coming months.  Until then, here are my ten of favorite dresses and dress trends of 2015 from their list of 100:  

1. SUNSHINE STATE Everything’s coming up daffodils…and marigolds and buttercups. Shades of yellow—like those seen on Jennifer Hudson inRomona, Léa Seydoux in Prada, and Charlize Theron in Dior Haute Couture—made on irresistible bouquet of brights.

17. LUPITA NYONG’O IN CALVIN KLEIN COLLECTION Her Oscars dress was made of 6,000 pearls (faux, as thieves would discover…)

26. REESE WITHERSPOON IN TOM FORD  At the Oscars, Ford picked up on Witherspoon’s signature style for sleek and clean gowns with this icy blue dress, to which he added broad bands of black. It was just a little bit unexpected, and a perfect frame for her natural beauty look for the night.

37. GAGA, IS THAT YOU? Every little monster secretly has the heart of an angel. Lady Gaga’s newfound classicism owes to the direction of stylistBrandon Maxwell, but, of course, she couldn’t resist the lobster-catching gloves.

47. ALLISON WILLIAMS In Giorgio Armani Prive.

56. EMILY BLUNT When the Cannes Film Festival reportedly enforced a high-heels-only standard, she said, “Everyone should wear flats.” (in Stella McCartney)

50. SPIN ART Putting a new twist on paparazzi posing, stars introduced twirling to their red-carpet repertoire. Chiffon never had it so good. (Lupita Nyong’o in Gucci) 

80. BLAKE’S CLOSET  As the star who refuses to employ a stylist, Blake Lively proved that all anyone really needs for a press-tour wardrobe is a dozen designer names on speed dial. (in Monique Lhuillier) 

96. MICHELLE OBAMA’S GLAM NIGHT The First Lady swapped playing it safe for Vera Wang Collection bombshell and sideswept hair.

100. SPELLBOUND Adding her own bit of whimsy to the red carpet for the Cannes premiere of Carol, Cate Blanchett wore a “twisted fairy tale” gown from British designer Giles Deacon.

Which is your favorite from this round up of the best dresses of 2015?