The Style 100: See the Looks, Trends, and Pop Culture Moments that Defined 2014
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.
No.1-7. Red-Carpet Rainbow
The color story of the year? All of them, as a spectrum of shades helped brighten our mood.
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No.8. Delish Dish
At Moschino, Jeremy Scott spoofed McDonald’s uniforms.
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No.9. CONCERTS ARE THE NEW RUNWAY
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.
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No.10. The Louis Vuitton Iconoclast Collection
The Icon and the Iconoclasts project opened the Louis Vuitton logo to outside interpretation, like a shopping trolley by Christian Louboutin.
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No.11. Michelle Dockery in Oscar de la Renta
The Downton Abbey actress worked a show-stopping, embellished Oscar de la Renta gown at the 2014 Golden Globes.
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No.12. Allison Williams in Giambattista Valli
Bold fashion came roaring back on red carpets, as exemplified by Allison Williams' Giambattista Valli Haute Couture gown.
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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.
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No.14. Miss Manners She's Not
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.
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No.15. Emma Stone
Emma Stone in Atelier Versace, a spirit-soaring vision of sunshine.
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No.16. Tribute: Joan Rivers (1933-2014)
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!
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No.17. Masters of Sex
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.
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No.18. Paula Cademartori Handbags
Eye-catching graphics, dazzling color combinations, and Italian craftsmanship made break-through handbag designer Paula Cademartori a label to covet.
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No.19. A Coke Made Just For You
Coca-Cola reversed an 11-year sales downturn with bottles customized to feature popular names. Direct marketing: It still works like a charm.
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No.20. Sarah Silverman of the Emmy's Red Carpet
“They’re the lowest they’ve ever been and the highest they’re ever going to be.” Uh, she was talking about her cleavage.
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No.21. Tuxedo Dressing
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.
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No.22. Mansur Gavriel Bucket Bag
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.
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No.23. Fashion as Art
Miuccia Prada’s spring collection would look just as amazing in a frame.
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No.24. Kids of Rock Stars, All Grown-Up
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.
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No.25. Gone Girl
The twisted plot of Gillian Flynn’s revenge novel got a film rendition courtesy of David Fincher and Ben Affleck.
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No.26. Boyhood
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.
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No.27. Down-and-Dirty Overalls
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.
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No.28. All Sorts of Critters
The detail barged onto the runways, including some exotically plumed birds from Valentino’s fall collection (worn by Keira Knightley).
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No.29. Zeitgeist Capturing Modern Farmer
The publication by former city slickers now working in Hudson, N.Y., won a National Magazine Award in its first year in print.
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No.30. MILEY-I-E-I-O CYRUS
Cyrus introduced her latest pet project on Instagram. Goes by the name of Bubba Sue.
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No.31. Raising Poultry
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.”
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No.32. Chicken Coops
Chicken Coops became hot real estate. Some birds demand the best brooders from the Williams-Sonoma Agrarian collection.
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No.33. Belted Coats
Once again, Celine’s Phoebe Philo set the tone in outerwear.
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No.34. Laverne Cox's Moment to Shine
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.
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No.35. Karl Lagerfeld's Cat
There’s no reason to be jealous that Karl Lagerfeld’s cat, Choupette, has alreadyspurred lines of makeup and accessories. Unless, of course, you’re a dog person.
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No.36. Cate Blanchett
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.