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

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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.

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No.8. Delish Dish

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At Moschino, Jeremy Scott spoofed McDonald’s uniforms.

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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.

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No.10. The Louis Vuitton Iconoclast Collection

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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

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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

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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

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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

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

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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!

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No.17. Masters of Sex

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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

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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

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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

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“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

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.

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No.22. Mansur Gavriel Bucket Bag

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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

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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

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.

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No.25. Gone Girl

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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

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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.”

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No.32. Chicken Coops

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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

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

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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.

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No.35. Karl Lagerfeld's Cat

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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.

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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.

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No.37. The Goldfinch

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

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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.

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No.39. Rita Ora

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

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

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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.

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No.41. Kendall Jenner

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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).

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No.42. Frozen Side Braids

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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.

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No.43. In Their Own Words

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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.

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No.44. Hector and the Search for Happiness

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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.

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No.45. ALS Ice Bucket Challenge

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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.

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No.46. Jeremy Scott

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

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No.47. Anya Hindmarch

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

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No.48. Stars Without Makeup

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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.

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No.49. "All About That Bass”

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

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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.

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No.51. Fashion Force

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

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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.

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No.53. Taylor Swift's BFFs

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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.

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No.54. Angelina Jolie & Brad Pitt Wed

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Her Atelier Versace gown featured oodles of doodles.

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No.55. Opening Ceremony

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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!

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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.”

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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.

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No.58. Nicola Peltz

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

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

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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.

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

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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.

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No.61. The Statement Earring

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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.

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No.62. Show-Offs

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

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No.63. Iggy Azalea's "Fancy"

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

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

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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.

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No.65. Johnny Weir and Tara Lipinski

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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.

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No.66. The Ultimate Casual Luxury Sneaker from Chanel

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

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

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

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No.68. Net-A-Sporter

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

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No.69. Sandra Bullock

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Sandra Bullock in Alexander McQueen, draping done divinely.

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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.

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No.71. Shailene Woodley

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In Divergent and The Fault in Our Stars, Shailene Woodley stole scenes.

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No.72. The Haircut

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Last year’s lob (or long bob) made way for a variety of low-maintenance styles, whether cropped, chopped, wavy, straight, or blunt-cut.

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No.73. Lebron James Goes To Cleveland

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Returning home from Miami, can James bring some of that championship-winning momentum back with him?

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No.74. Kiesza Crosses Over

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Before releasing “Hideaway,” the unofficial anthem of New York Fashion Week, the pop star served in the Royal Canadian Navy.

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No.75. Alexander Wang's Fall 2014 Collection

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Alexander Wang’s fall clothes changed colors under the bright lights of his show. These looks can stand up to the heat.

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No.76. Undercover’s Jun Takahashi

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Undercover’s Jun Takahashi went a step further for spring, adding clear iPad mini–size pockets to clothes—the ultimate in customizable fashion.

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No.77. Kim Kardashian's App

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The Kim Kardashian: Hollywood app stirred controversy for encouraging users to spend like Kim on virtual friends and clothes. How is that different from reality?

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No.78. The Diane von Furstenberg and Google Collab

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Google tapped Diane von Furstenberg for a fab collaboration on Glass, the eyewear-mounted devices she featured in her show. Long live geek chic.

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No.79. Apple Watch

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It was no coincidence the Apple Watch was unveiled during Paris Fashion Week. But no matter what this thing can do, it will take more than a few apps to get people to wear watches again.

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No.80. Polo Tech Shirt

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Ball boys at the U.S. Open, along with tennis cutie Marcos Giron, tested the Polo Tech Shirt, which monitors performance through a small device just below the sporting pony.

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No.81. Tory Burch for Fitbit

J MUCKLE

Fitbit tracking devices got an identity makeover from Tory Burch, who turned the smart bracelet into a swish pendant.

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No.83. Helen Mirren

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Helen Mirren in Escada, an elaborate brocade that took eight weeks to complete.

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No.84. Amal Clooney in Dolce & Gabbana

Splash News

Sure, she married George Clooney in Venice, but we’d drop him in half a second for a tour of her closet. During the bridal festivities, the London lawyer appeared in Dolce amp Gabbana’s striped midi dress.

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No.85. Amal Clooney in Alexander McQueen

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While in Venice, Amal worked a red-and-black siren number by Alexander McQueen.

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No.86. Amal Clooney in Giambattista Valli Couture

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Mrs. Clooney dazzled us all in a little lace Giambattista Valli Couture dress.

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

1 of 94

No.1-7. Red-Carpet Rainbow

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No.8. Delish Dish

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No.9. CONCERTS ARE THE NEW RUNWAY

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No.10. The Louis Vuitton Iconoclast Collection

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No.11. Michelle Dockery in Oscar de la Renta

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No.12. Allison Williams in Giambattista Valli

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No.13. Everybody Went to Ibiza

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No.14. Miss Manners She's Not

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No.15. Emma Stone

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

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No.17. Masters of Sex

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No.18. Paula Cademartori Handbags

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No.19. A Coke Made Just For You

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

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No.21. Tuxedo Dressing

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No.22. Mansur Gavriel Bucket Bag

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No.23. Fashion as Art

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

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No.25. Gone Girl

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No.26. Boyhood

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No.27. Down-and-Dirty Overalls

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No.28. All Sorts of Critters

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No.29. Zeitgeist Capturing Modern Farmer

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

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No.31. Raising Poultry

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No.32. Chicken Coops

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No.33. Belted Coats

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No.34. Laverne Cox's Moment to Shine

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No.35. Karl Lagerfeld's Cat

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No.36. Cate Blanchett

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No.37. The Goldfinch

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No.38. "David Bowie Is"

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No.39. Rita Ora

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

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No.41. Kendall Jenner

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No.42. Frozen Side Braids

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No.43. In Their Own Words

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No.44. Hector and the Search for Happiness

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