The Best Looks, Trends, & Pop Culture Moments of 2014

Getty (3); Illustrations by Jenny Walton

In 2014, fashion, film, and music conspired to give us a million reasons to smile—and we spell out the power of positive pop culture for you in InStyle’s December issue. A convergence of happy trends arrived just when we needed them: The stars paraded a rainbow of blissful looks, designers embraced physical fitness with athleisure, and the smiley face became a style "icon." What's not to cheer about?

We couldn't get enough of this year's It bags (hello, Mansur Gavriel), Cate Blanchett’s red carpet wins, the hottest hair styles (Frozen side braid, anyone?), Taylor Swift’s endless list of BFFs (Lorde, Karlie Kloss, Hailee Steinfeld…), major statement earrings, and model-of-the-moment Kendall Jenner. Frankly, we're surprised we were able to narrow it all down to just 100 moments.

From Ben Affleck in the box office smash Gone Girl to Céline’s très chic belted coats, see all the looks, trends, and pop culture moments that defined 2014 in our Style 100 now! And, if you don’t want to miss a thing next year, subscribe to InStyle to keep up with all the fashion, hair, makeup, and style trends you’ll need to know about in 2015.

PHOTOS: See the 100 Best Style Moments of 2014

Start Slideshow

1 of 93

No.1-7. Red-Carpet Rainbow

Getty/WireImage/AP

The color story of the year? All of them, as a spectrum of shades helped brighten our mood.

2 of 93

No.8. Delish Dish

Courtesy

At Moschino, Jeremy Scott spoofed McDonald’s uniforms.

3 of 93

No.9. CONCERTS ARE THE NEW RUNWAY

Christie Goodwin/Getty Images, Kevin Mazur/WireImage

Pop music met pop fashion during the Prismatic tour of Katy Perry, whose smash hit “Firework” lit up the stage in dramatic bursts on a Todd Thomas gown. And Jennifer Lopez danced (again) in a reimagined Versus Versace number featuring an oversize golden safety pin.

4 of 93

No.10. The Louis Vuitton Iconoclast Collection

Courtesy

The Icon and the Iconoclasts project opened the Louis Vuitton logo to outside interpretation, like a shopping trolley by Christian Louboutin.

5 of 93

No.11. Michelle Dockery in Oscar de la Renta

Steve Granitz/WireImage

The Downton Abbey actress worked a show-stopping, embellished Oscar de la Renta gown at the 2014 Golden Globes.

6 of 93

No.12. Allison Williams in Giambattista Valli

Jason Merritt/Getty Images

Bold fashion came roaring back on red carpets, as exemplified by Allison Williams' Giambattista Valli Haute Couture gown.

7 of 93

No.13. Everybody Went to Ibiza

Seen at the Spanish retreat this summer: Kate Moss, Riccardo Tisci, and (now, now, boys) Justin Bieber and Orlando Bloom.

8 of 93

No.14. Miss Manners She's Not

Courtesy

A memoir–cum–advice manual from someone who endorses sharing your bed with a heating pad and an empty bag of pita chips (plus the love of your life). Lena Dunham is our kind of girl.

9 of 93

No.15. Emma Stone

Mike Marsland/WireImage

Emma Stone in Atelier Versace, a spirit-soaring vision of sunshine.

10 of 93

No.16. Tribute: Joan Rivers (1933-2014)

Norman Jean Roy

As the grande dame of Fashion Police, Rivers, who died Sept. 4 from complications during throat surgery, could shock or awe and cause offense or a guffaw, and no one was safe from her razor-sharp wit. Will the red carpet ever be the same? Oh, grow up!

11 of 93

No.17. Masters of Sex

Courtesy

That we’re so turned on by the fashion on a show ostensibly about what happens when clothes come off attests to costume designer Ane Crabtree’s eye for detail. As the series transitions from the ’50s to the ’60s, note how subtle changes apply to even the knickers.

12 of 93

No.18. Paula Cademartori Handbags

Courtesy

Eye-catching graphics, dazzling color combinations, and Italian craftsmanship made break-through handbag designer Paula Cademartori a label to covet.

13 of 93

No.19. A Coke Made Just For You

Courtesy

Coca-Cola reversed an 11-year sales downturn with bottles customized to feature popular names. Direct marketing: It still works like a charm.

14 of 93

No.20. Sarah Silverman of the Emmy's Red Carpet

Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic

“They’re the lowest they’ve ever been and the highest they’re ever going to be.” Uh, she was talking about her cleavage.

15 of 93

No.21. Tuxedo Dressing

Ray Tamarra/WireImage, KYLE ROVER/startraksphoto.com

Hedi Slimane refreshed the super-slim, superchic evening suit at Saint Laurent, while Madonna credited her son David with selecting their matching Ralph Lauren Collection looks at the Grammys. No one came forward to claim credit for her gold grill.

16 of 93

No.22. Mansur Gavriel Bucket Bag

Courtesy

Utilitarian and elegant, the sleek style introduced by Rachel Mansur and Floriana Gavriel last fall inspired more wait lists (and imitators) this year than you could fit into, well, a bucket.

17 of 93

No.23. Fashion as Art

Courtesy

Miuccia Prada’s spring collection would look just as amazing in a frame.

18 of 93

No.24. Kids of Rock Stars, All Grown-Up

Getty

These famous daughters came into their own—as a moral exemplar (Cobain; top right), on the catwalks of Paris (Jagger; top left), on the big screen (Kravitz in Divergent; bottom right), or as an in-demand DJ (Richards; bottom left). Perhaps they should think about forming a band.

19 of 93

No.25. Gone Girl

Courtesy

The twisted plot of Gillian Flynn’s revenge novel got a film rendition courtesy of David Fincher and Ben Affleck.

20 of 93

No.26. Boyhood

Courtesy

For him: Richard Linklater’s nostalgic coming-of-age story was filmed over 12 years, with actor Ellar Coltrane growing up before our very eyes.

21 of 93

No.27. Down-and-Dirty Overalls

Wireimage, startraksphoto.com, X17online.com

The style became the surprise off-duty hit of the summer, as seen on modern cow-girls like Rita Ora, in Adam Selman, Blake Lively, in Rag & Bone, and Jessica Alba, in Current/Elliott.

22 of 93

No.28. All Sorts of Critters

Marion Curtis/Startraksphoto.com

The detail barged onto the runways, including some exotically plumed birds from Valentino’s fall collection (worn by Keira Knightley).

23 of 93

No.29. Zeitgeist Capturing Modern Farmer

Courtesy

The publication by former city slickers now working in Hudson, N.Y., won a National Magazine Award in its first year in print.

24 of 93

No.30. MILEY-I-E-I-O CYRUS

Courtesy

Cyrus introduced her latest pet project on Instagram. Goes by the name of Bubba Sue.

25 of 93

No.31. Raising Poultry

George Pimentel/WireImage, Lionel Hahn/startraksphoto.comMatt Baron/BEImages

Julia Roberts, Jennifer Aniston, and Gisele Bundchen started raising poultry. “My husband is a very healthy and environmentally minded person, so we grow food at our house,” Roberts said in the September InStyle. “We raise chickens for eggs.”

26 of 93

No.32. Chicken Coops

Courtesy

Chicken Coops became hot real estate. Some birds demand the best brooders from the Williams-Sonoma Agrarian collection.

27 of 93

No.33. Belted Coats

Courtesy

Once again, Celine’s Phoebe Philo set the tone in outerwear.

28 of 93

No.34. Laverne Cox's Moment to Shine

courtesy Everett Collection

The breakout success of the Orange Is the New Black star served as major empowerment for the transgender community. It’s not just because she can rock a designer gown that she made the cover of Time.

29 of 93

No.35. Karl Lagerfeld's Cat

Courtesy

There’s no reason to be jealous that Karl Lagerfeld’s cat, Choupette, has already spurred lines of makeup and accessories. Unless, of course, you’re a dog person.

30 of 93

No.36. Cate Blanchett

Wire Image, Getty (2)

Her magnificent range on-screen was matched by the diversity of her unfailing fashion-gorgeous in Givenchy by Riccardo Tisci regalia, a Ralph Lauren Collection column, or Armani Privé lace.

31 of 93

No.37. The Goldfinch

Courtesy

Donna Tartt’s must-read novel was so vividly painted, it should appear in the next edition of Janson’s History of Art.

32 of 93

No.38. "David Bowie Is"

Brian Duffy

After a stellar run in London, the exhibition combining his fashion, music, and art is now wowing audiences at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago.

33 of 93

No.39. Rita Ora

Jason Merritt/Getty Images

Rita Ora in Lanvin, bringing luster and lust back to metallic shine.

34 of 93

No.40. Tribute: Maya Angelou (1928-2014)

Patrick Fraser/Corbis Outline

A phenomenal woman as impactful in her life as she was in her poetry. “She celebrated black women’s beauty like no one had ever dared before,” said First Lady Michelle Obama.

35 of 93

No.41. Kendall Jenner

Courtesy

For once at Paris Fashion Week, Kendall Jenner got all the attention in the family (unless her niece North West was sitting in the front row).

36 of 93

No.42. Frozen Side Braids

Wireimage (2), Courtesy

Move over, Katniss-Queen Elsa had the hairstyle that brings all the fun to the front. Of course, it’s hard to re-create those snowflake embellishments in real life, so glitter works swell if you’re trying this in fine weather.

37 of 93

No.43. In Their Own Words

Courtesy (3)

Designer tomes offered some inspirational escape, from candid insight into Vivienne Westwood’s endlessly fascinating history to Tory Burch’s principles of color and even Valentino’s table settings.

38 of 93

No.44. Hector and the Search for Happiness

Courtesy

In the film Hector and the Search for Happiness, Simon Pegg plays a psychiatrist who travels the world in pursuit of the meaning of life.

39 of 93

No.45. ALS Ice Bucket Challenge

Courtesy

Whether you’re the glass-half-full or glass-half-empty type, you’ve likely been splashed by frigid water during an ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. At least Donatella Versace had the good sense to be doused by shirtless hunks.

40 of 93

No.46. Jeremy Scott

Courtesy

Jeremy Scott reprised a Franco Moschino smiley print for his first men’s collection for the house, turning many frowns upside down.

Account

More

The Style 100: See the Looks, Trends, and Pop Culture Moments that Defined 2014

1 of 93

No.1-7. Red-Carpet Rainbow

1 of 93

2 of 93

No.8. Delish Dish

2 of 93

3 of 93

No.9. CONCERTS ARE THE NEW RUNWAY

3 of 93

4 of 93

No.10. The Louis Vuitton Iconoclast Collection

4 of 93

5 of 93

No.11. Michelle Dockery in Oscar de la Renta

5 of 93

6 of 93

No.12. Allison Williams in Giambattista Valli

6 of 93

7 of 93

No.13. Everybody Went to Ibiza

7 of 93

8 of 93

No.14. Miss Manners She's Not

8 of 93

9 of 93

No.15. Emma Stone

9 of 93

10 of 93

No.16. Tribute: Joan Rivers (1933-2014)

10 of 93

11 of 93

No.17. Masters of Sex

11 of 93

12 of 93

No.18. Paula Cademartori Handbags

12 of 93

13 of 93

No.19. A Coke Made Just For You

13 of 93

14 of 93

No.20. Sarah Silverman of the Emmy's Red Carpet

14 of 93

15 of 93

No.21. Tuxedo Dressing

15 of 93

16 of 93

No.22. Mansur Gavriel Bucket Bag

16 of 93

17 of 93

No.23. Fashion as Art

17 of 93

18 of 93

No.24. Kids of Rock Stars, All Grown-Up

18 of 93

19 of 93

No.25. Gone Girl

19 of 93

20 of 93

No.26. Boyhood

20 of 93

21 of 93

No.27. Down-and-Dirty Overalls

21 of 93

22 of 93

No.28. All Sorts of Critters

22 of 93

23 of 93

No.29. Zeitgeist Capturing Modern Farmer

23 of 93

24 of 93

No.30. MILEY-I-E-I-O CYRUS

24 of 93

25 of 93

No.31. Raising Poultry

25 of 93

26 of 93

No.32. Chicken Coops