2016 Essence Festival Best Looks

Bennett Raglin/Getty

If you haven’t hopped aboard the Andra Day train, let the 31-year-old Grammy nominee’s style be reason enough to consider yourself a fan. On Thursday in New Orleans, the R&B crooner and Coca-Cola ambassador helped kick off this year’s highly anticipated Essence Festival like any woman with an affinity for turning heads would.

Day participated in the Apple R&B Rising event, where she delivered an intimate performance of her foot-thumping hits, and wowed in a floral ensemble that had yesteryear written all of it. Her black printed jumpsuit paired well with a purple, bow-adorned headband, black boots, and oversize hoop earrings.

But being that the festival is by far one of the year’s most fashion-forward occasions, Day was not the only star to dazzle. In fact, former Fashion Queens co-host and radio personality Bevy Smith also took a floral approach to dressing for The Big Easy. Meanwhile, the ladies of The Real (Tamera Mowry, Adrienne Bailon, Loni Love, and Jeannie Mai) delivered quite the sartorial punch in coordinating, colorful ensembles that ran the gamut from hot pink to mustard yellow.

As for who else we think will take home the weekend’s personal style cake? Our eyes are peeled for a sighting of expected A-listers like Ciara, Mariah Carey, and the one and only Oprah Winfrey.

See all of the best looks from this year’s Essence Festival below.

Start Slideshow

1 of 18

Andra Day

Bennett Raglin/Getty

Day kicked off the festival on Thursday at the Apple R&B Rising event where she not only rocked a floral jumpsuit with a matching purple headband, but also took the stage to deliver her beloved hits.

2 of 18

Bevy Smith

Bennett Raglin/Getty

Smith stopped by the Apple R&B Rising event on Thursday and styled a floral green dress with matching brown-toned accessories.

3 of 18

Tamera Mowry, Adrienne Bailon, Loni Love and Jeannie Mai

Ryan Theriot/Getty

The ladies of The Real proudly showed off their coordinating colors as they tossed beads onto Bourbon Street in New Orleans on Thursday.

4 of 18

Tisha Campbell-Martin, Tracee Ellis Ross, and Bevy Smith

Paras Griffin/Getty

The trio of stars posed in jewel-toned dresses at Essence Festival on Friday.

5 of 18

Michelle Williams

Paras Griffin/Getty

The singer took the stage in New Orleans Friday to perform crowd-pleasing hits in a BCBGMAXAZRIA cape.

6 of 18

Vanessa K. De Luca

Paras Griffin/Getty

Essence magazine's editor in chief wore a bold animal-print dress in a classic silhouette as she spoke onstage at the Essence Festival Friday.

7 of 18

Janelle Monae

Josh Brasted/Getty for OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network

Janelle Monae wows in an allover graphic print to attend a screening of "Queen Sugar."

8 of 18

Common

Josh Brasted/Getty for OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network

The musician cleaned up nicely for the screening of "Queen Sugar."

9 of 18

Serayah McNeill

Paras Griffin/Getty

The actress rocks patched jeans with the best of 'em.

10 of 18

Soledad O'Brien

Josh Brasted/Getty

The news personality keeps her look clean and polished in a bright pink dress and crisp white topper.

11 of 18

Misty Copeland

Paras Griffin/Getty

The ballerina speaks onstage at the festival in an intricate graphic print.

12 of 18

Oprah Winfrey

Paras Griffin/Getty

Oprah spoke onstage at the festival in simply chic power red dress.

13 of 18

Tyra Banks

Paras Griffin/Getty

The model showed white is indeed the coolest color for summer while speaking onstage at the festival.

14 of 18

Estelle

Paras Griffin/Getty

Estelle turns up the fun with this gold and black sequined dress.

15 of 18

Patti Labelle

Paras Griffin/Getty

The iconic singer shows that mustard is still a hot hue of the season.