No one could claim 2021 to be the easiest year. This includes dressing up. These photos show that style does not have to be locked down.
Actually, the exact opposite is true. Star dressers showed a remarkable variety and enjoyment in choosing clothes.
After one year of the pandemic it was time for us to ditch our tracksuits and trainers in favor of some razzmatazz. And every one of the 12 women I nominate here — one for each month of the year — did that in spades.
Showstopping gala gowns, brilliant colour, flamboyant shapes and a confidence in dressing to suit themselves have been the markers of these women’s style.
Everybody has been dressed with dignity and elegance, regardless of their age.
Below are my 2021 Calendar Stars…
January- Jill Biden
Even having to wear a face mask didn’t prevent Jill Biden from demonstrating her pleasingly unpretentious style at her husband Joe’s inauguration as U.S. President.
On that cold January morning, Markarian’s young American brand Markarian gave her a bright and cheerful choice in a sparkling blue coat and a jewel-collared gown.
Her bare legs combined with her gloved hands is a wonderful combination that, just like the velvet-trimmed tailoring she wore, combines formality and easy glamour.
Even having to wear a face mask didn’t prevent Jill Biden from demonstrating her pleasingly unpretentious style at her husband Joe’s inauguration as U.S. President
February- Anna Taylor-Joy
This young British actress won the Best Actress award at the Golden Globes in February for her captivating performance in The Queen’s Gambit.
Even though she could only see her waist on a tiny screen and was virtually invisible, the stunning emerald gown, created for Dior by Maria Grazia Chiuri, still had a lot to do.
Taylor-Joy’s pale skin, understated jewellery and mermaid hair styling were the perfect foil for the majesty of this gown.
Anya-Taylor Joy
March- Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift, a teenage country star from Tennessee, was impossible to predict. Her style and music are impeccable.
Here, at the Grammys in March, she’s a few months ahead of the now-popular shorter-length curve, wearing this exquisite floral Oscar de la Renta mini.
The high neck and long sleeves balance the short hemline and, along with the beautiful ornate embroidery, the whole look has a girlish grandeur that completely chimes with Taylor’s clever songwriting.
Here, at the Grammys in March, she’s a few months ahead of the now-popular shorter-length curve
April- Zendaya
Zendaya is an American actress. She could be the one who won the award for best red carpet style last year. At the Council of Fashion Designers of America, her nomination as Fashion Icon of the YEAR was given to Zendaya. She is enchanting and natural, which makes it easy for people to see that she’s very much her own person.
While she was wearing a Valentino Couture bright yellow gown with a cutout Valentino Couture skirt and $6 million worth of Bulgari diamonds at the Oscars ceremony, she managed to keep her casual, youthful charm.
In April she attended the Oscars ceremony wearing a Valentino Couture dress with a bright yellow cutout and Bulgari diamonds worth more than $6million.
May- Arlo Parks
Arlo Parks’ distinctive gender-neutral style stands out among the highly sexualised outfits worn at music industry awards.
The pink jacquard trouserser suit she is wearing looks great on her. She paired it with simple, plain shoes. A single drop of earring, lipgloss, and pink lipstick were all added to make the outfit more comfortable.
Arlo Parks’ distinctive gender-neutral style stands out among the highly sexualised outfits worn at music industry awards
June- Sienna Miller
Wimbledon brought a welcome boost of joy to tennis fans in June and provided the chance for them to make their mark.
This Andy Pandy-striped shirt and trouser combo is not for everyone, but Sienna Miller pulls it off perfectly.
The crisp blue-and-white stripe is a Ralph Lauren men’s shirt staple, which Sienna feminises with her gold jewellery and loose hair.
Wimbledon was a joyous occasion that brought much-needed cheer and gave fashion-savvy tennis lovers the chance to make their mark.
July- Sharon Stone
Sharon Stone was thrilled with this Dolce & Gabbana pale blue tulle Dolce & Gabbana number at Cannes Film Festival.
The dress is so versatile because of its versatility.
Sharon Stone loved this Dolce and Gabbana Dolce and Tulle number in pale blue tulle.
August- Jodie Comer
Jodie Comer wore this Armani velvet jumpsuit. She elevated an ordinary item to film premiere status by pairing it with some strappy heels.
The success is in the sumptuous deep black fabric — accessorised, of course, with the enigmatic gaze that made Comer’s Villanelle such a star turn in Killing Eve.
Jodie Cooper in Armani velvet jumpsuit. Jodie paired it with Strappy Heels, tightening the waist, and pulling down the zip to elevate an ordinary item to film premiere status
September- Emma Raducanu
Emma, two days after she won the U.S. Open in the U.S., appeared at the Met Gala wearing a bag but was still adored.
She was spotted in Chanel black and white, with her naked body decorated with a pearl chain, and it was obvious that she would be a major hitter for fashion brands who signed her up to become an ambassador.
Emma was adored at the Met Gala just two days after her win in the U.S. Open.
October- Sarah Snook
Sarah Snook, Shiv in Succession is well-known for her power of stealth dressing.
We caught her at the London Film Festival, October.
This Giorgio Armani midnight blue velvet dress owes more than a nod to the black gown of Sargent’s Portrait of Madame X.
The look relies on the startling contrast between the darkly sumptuous fabric and the pale flesh of her décolletage.
We caught her at the London Film Festival, October. Here is a peek of her style. It leans more toward old Hollywood glamour.
November- Alexa Chung
At last year’s British Fashion Awards in November, Alexa Chung chose this Caroline Hua ballerina gown over the garish and attention-grabbing trend of wearing garish outfits..
By teaming the primrose colour with black lace gloves, a black Mulberry bag and black Manolo pumps, she managed to escape any possible tweeness and put together a look that was modern but pretty — a rare quality on the red carpet.
Alexa Chung bucked the trend for garish, attention-grabbing outfits in favour of this ballerina dress from Caroline Hua
December-HM The Queen
She is the queen, a symbol of elegance and strength that transcends time. She was devastated by the death of her husband, of 73-years.
Angela Kelly, her long-term dresser, designed the simple shift. The neckline is slightly cutaway, which reveals her beauty, even at 95.
Wearing the sapphire and diamond chrysanthemum brooch she wore on her honeymoon in 1947, she appeared not only as the nation’s sovereign, but as a woman facing her first Christmas without her husband.
She is the queen, who embodies timeless elegance and stoicism. She was devastated by the death of her husband, of 73years.