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

By Kelsey Glein
Updated Oct 23, 2015 @ 10:46 am
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?

RELATED: How the Smiley Face Fits into Fashion

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 94

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.

Advertisement

2 of 94

No.8. Delish Dish

Courtesy
At Moschino, Jeremy Scott spoofed McDonald’s uniforms.

3 of 94

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.
Advertisement

4 of 94

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 94

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 94

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.

Advertisement

7 of 94

No.13. Everybody Went to Ibiza

AP

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

8 of 94

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 94

No.15. Emma Stone

Mike Marsland/WireImage

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

Advertisement

10 of 94

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 94

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 94

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.

Advertisement

13 of 94

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 94

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 94

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.

Advertisement

16 of 94

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 94

No.23. Fashion as Art

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

18 of 94

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.
Advertisement

19 of 94

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 94

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 94

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.

Advertisement

22 of 94

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 94

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 94

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

Courtesy

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

Advertisement

25 of 94

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 94

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 94

No.33. Belted Coats

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

28 of 94

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 94

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 94

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.

Advertisement

31 of 94

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 94

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 94

No.39. Rita Ora

Jason Merritt/Getty Images

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

Advertisement

34 of 94

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 94

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 94

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.
Advertisement

37 of 94

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 94

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 94

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.
Advertisement

40 of 94

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.

41 of 94

No.47. Anya Hindmarch

Anya Hindmarch’s take on the optimism trend was a subtle, emoji-worthy perforation on a lightweight tote.

42 of 94

No.48. Stars Without Makeup

Courtesy (4)

The feel-good Instagram trend of the year: stars without makeup. A natural glow always shines brightest, as demonstrated by Drew Barrymore, Beyoncé, Ciara, and Cameron Diaz.

Advertisement

43 of 94

No.49. "All About That Bass”

Courtesy
The booty-is-beauty message of Meghan Trainor’s “All About That Bass” was truly infectious, a musical call to arms against Photoshop.

44 of 94

No.50. Pharrell Williams' "Happy"

Clap along if you can’t get “Happy” out of your head. No wonder nothing can bring Pharrell Williams down.

45 of 94

No.51. Fashion Force

Courtesy
Rodarte’s Kate and Laura Mulleavy found inspiration in an unlikely muse: C-3PO.
Advertisement

46 of 94

No.52. Hers for the Night

James Whatling / Splash News, Yousuf Karsh
Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, raided the royal vaults for a showstopping Cartier diamond necklace, on loan from Queen Elizabeth II. That’s a great grandmother-in-law.

47 of 94

No.53. Taylor Swift's BFFs

Courtesy (4)
Who needs BFFs when you have so many BFBFs (boldface best friends)? Taylor Swift, queen of selfie posing, left a trail of Instagram envy with her coterie of celebrity pals.

48 of 94

No.54. Angelina Jolie & Brad Pitt Wed

Courtesy

Her Atelier Versace gown featured oodles of doodles.

Advertisement

49 of 94

No.55. Opening Ceremony

Courtesy
Rather than doing the same old runway routine, Humberto Leon and Carol Lim handed over their show to Jonah Hill and Spike Jonze for a one-act play that climaxed with a rendition of Drake’s “Hold On, We’re Going Home.” Bravo!

50 of 94

No.56. "Let It Go"

Getty Images
Your kids know all the words to the Oscar-winning song, yet John Travolta somehow introduced Idina Menzel as “Adela Dazeem.”

51 of 94

No.57: New Era

Dominique Charriau/WireImage
Nicolas Ghesquiere made a mighty return to fashion, taking the reins of Louis Vuitton with a debut collection that sparked a revival of ’60s minidresses.
Advertisement

52 of 94

No.58. Nicola Peltz

Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images

Nicola Peltz in Balenciaga, the fresh new look by Alexander Wang.

53 of 94

No.59. Tribute: Lauren Bacall (1924-2014)

Popperfoto/Getty Images
Not that we needed proof that this actress epitomized a bygone era of glamour, but her death means that all 16 legends roll-called in Madonna’s “Vogue,” from 1990, have now left us.

54 of 94

No.60. Jennifer Lawrence's Dior Haute Couture Gown

Courtesy, Jason Merritt/Getty Images
Consider it a compliment when your dress kicks off a social media meme. Jennifer Lawrence’s Dior Haute Couture gown had fans like Bryanboy bundling up in bedsheets.
Advertisement

55 of 94

No.61. The Statement Earring

Courtesy

One at a time, please! From Emma Watson at the Valentino Haute Couture show to Taylor Swift on the cover of InStyle, stars decorated just one lobe as a way to turn heads.

56 of 94

No.62. Show-Offs

Getty Images (2)
Zac Efron and Justin Bieber found a new way to silence critics ... It’s hard to argue with abs.

57 of 94

No.63. Iggy Azalea's "Fancy"

Courtesy
Her “Fancy" duet with Charli XCX “won” song of the summer, partly by paying pitch-perfect homage to "Clueless" in the video.
Advertisement

58 of 94

No.64. New York's Latest Design Stars To Watch

Courtesy (2)

Scott Studenberg and John Targon, of Baja East (right), whose luxurious cashmere sportswear has been flying off the shelves at Barneys. Brunello Cucinelli (left) came up with looks that were all about comfort, like sweatshirts so chic you would never dream of sweating in them.

59 of 94

No.65. Johnny Weir and Tara Lipinski

John Berry/Getty Images
The two gave new meaning to the term “color commentators” at the Sochi Olympics with a star-making turn rinkside—they practically edged Scott Hamilton right off the ice.

60 of 94

No.66. The Ultimate Casual Luxury Sneaker from Chanel

Courtesy
Couture sneakers embellished with crystals, beads, and laces made of lace. “You can be in fashion without being a victim,” said designer Karl Lagerfeld.
Advertisement

61 of 94

No.67. Roger Federer at the U.S. Open

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

Federer débuted a tennis-appropriate version of the Air Jordan, tagged with his own RF logo, as Michael Jordan watched from the stands.

62 of 94

No.68. Net-A-Sporter

Courtesy

Treadmills became a running runway thanks to Net-a-Porter, which introduced a shopping portal for designer workout gear, fittingly called Net-a-Sporter.

63 of 94

No.69. Sandra Bullock

Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

Sandra Bullock in Alexander McQueen, draping done divinely.

Advertisement

64 of 94

No.70. Tribute: Oscar de la Renta (1932-2014)

Jean GUICHARD

A diplomat for American fashion, he was the ultimate gentleman designer to First Ladies, ladies who lunch, and ladies on the street alike.

65 of 94