Who Was The Best Dressed of Feburary 2016

I couldn't congfigure a list as I loved so many looks this month, so I narrowed it down to 10 and am going to leave it in your hands. Have fun with my first ever Best Dressed poll.

Top 10 Looks From The 2016 Academy Awards

 The Academy Awards took place in Hollywood last night and the stars showed up in droves to celebrate the best films and performances of the past year. My favorite look of the night came from the red carpet queen Cate Blanchett. Cate was nominated for Best Actress for her work in Carol and continued her tradition of wearing Armani Prive at every Oscars that she has been nominated for. Cate looked fantastic wearing a custom seafoam green Armani Prive gown which seemed so fantastical with its organza petals and feathers. With such a statement gown Cate kept her styling very chic with an elegant updo, nude lip, and Tiffany & Co. diamonds. This will be a look that I remember come time to create my Best Dressed of the Year list.

 Lady Gaga was probably the one I was most intrigued to see what she would bring to the red carpet at the Academy Awards and she surely didn't disappoint. Gaga showed up in a white strapless jumpsuit with a detachable skirt custom made for her by friend, designer and stylist Brandon Maxwell inspired by his Fall 2016 RTW collection. Gaga has been a champion of Maxwell's since he launched his collection last September and always look absolutely stunning in his creations. I think only Gaga could get away with wearing red carpet lady pants on the Oscars red carpet. I would have loved to see Gaga wearing a statement diamond necklace but her old Hollywood styling was all on point. Gaga owned the Academy Awards red carpet.

Not many agreed with me but I LOVED Charlize Theron in Christian Dior Couture on the Academy Awards red carpet last night. Many people likened it to the black Dior gown she wore in 2014 and I had flashbacks to her Gucci gown back in 2004 but you know what they say, if it ain't broke don't fix it. This gown is a chic modern look with a lot of glamorous drama and Charlize rocked the simple style with ease down the red carpet. Finished with a statement Harry Winston necklace and a smokey eye and this will be a look one remembers for years.

Brie Larson was nominated for Best Actress for her work in Room at the Academy Awards last night, and won. She did so in fine style rocking a custom blue Gucci gown which took the boho spirit of the brand and amped up the glamour. I love the large vertical ruffles on the skirt, the crystal embellished belt, the slicked back hair, the simple jewels, and the red lip. All of the elements of this look just came together perfectly to ensure that Brie had a major moment on the Oscars red carpet.

 Naomi Watts attended the 2016 Academy Awards as the plus on of Liev Schreiber, who was among the presenters last night, and made one of my dreams come true. Last July when this Armani Prive Fall 2015 Couture gown walked the runway in Paris I wanted to see Naomi in this gown and it featured on my wish list for her Toronto Film Fest appearance. So I let out a bit of a squeal when I saw that Naomi had chosen this gown for the Oscars red carpet. The statement necklace, black clutch, wavy bob, and red lip all just made this look perfect for the red carpet. 

I think my jaw dropped when I saw Saoirse Ronan step out on the Academy Awards red carpet last night. I never would have pictured Saoirse wearing this gown until I saw it. I figured Saoirse was going to wear a British brand on the red carpet so when I saw this emerald Calvin Klein sequined gown with velvet straps I was shocked. Saoirse wanted to bring modern glam to the red carpet bu still hold her native Ireland close to her heart so she wanted to wear green. It was perfection.

Daisy Ridley showed us why she is a fashion force on the Oscars red carpet. Its pretty well know that a gown is the Academy Awards requisite and usually one that has a dramatic train or a full skirt. Daisy shunned the rules and wore a tea length Chanel Spring 2016 Couture embellished top and skirt. I was really shocked that Daisy wore this look and then I was surprised by just how much I loved it. It was a big risk for Daisy and it really paid off.

Julianne Moore was amazing on the Oscars red carpet. While I really wanted to see Rooney Mara wearing this Chanel Spring 2016 Couture gown, I can not deny how gorgeous Julianne is. This is a different look for Julianne, we usually see her wearing very fitted or mermaid silhouettes so it was nice to see a more princessy look from her. This black lace gown with crystal embellishments made for such a classic look and Julianne styled it perfectly.

Olivia Munn walked the Academy Awards red carpet wearing an orange Stella McCartney gown with a sleek asymmetrical caped neckline. Olivia was the only one on the Oscars  red carpet that wore orange and it was a risk that totally paid off. What I think dropped Olivia down this list is when she was on the stage her matching orange lip ended up looking like a construction workers vest. She gave us a modern glam look and I still love it.

I knew I was going to enjoy seeing Chrissy Teigan on the Oscars red carpet but she blew away my expectations wearing a hot off the runaway Marchesa Fall 2016 RTW gown. There were a lot of Marchesa gowns on the red carpet last night but this above all else was my favorite. The illusion tulle gown with red floral embroidery was a daring choice for the pregnant model to make on the red carpet but she make it work and in such a glamorous way.

You Better Werk: Cate Blanchett in Gucci at the 2016 Film Independent Spirit Awards

 Cate Blanchett jumped on the boho bandwagon yesterday on the blue carpet at the 2016 Film Independent Spirit Awards wearing a Gucci Spring 2016 RTW embroidered gown with a nude underlay. I love how this gown is all about the standout colors of the all over embroidery. Cate usually gives us high glamour so it was nice to see a more relaxed side of the red carpet queen. It was actually a different Gucci look from Cate that turned my dislike of the new direction of Gucci and she continues to do the brand well on the red carpet.

What really made the look for me were the few photographs where Cate put on her colorful Gucci sunglasses. I am usually not a fan of Sunglasses on the red carpet but somehow Cate makes me adore this look even more. Since she went so natural with blow dried waves, fresh faced makeup, and jewelry-less I think that the sunglasses just added a punctuation to the relaxed nature of this look. Almost everything that Cate touches turns into red carpet gold. While I love boho Cate I am expecting her to be back on the high glam train at the Academy Awards tonight.

#SpiritAwards 2016: Freida Pinto in Bibhu Mohapatra

Freida Pinto attended the 2016 Film Independent Spirit Awards yesterday in Santa Monica, California as one of the nights many presenters. Freida looked absolutely amazing in a Bibhu Mohapatra dress which featured an asymmetric bodice and a fitted pencil skirt. I love that there was a lot of visual interest in this look, which kept it from being boring without being too busy, the floral panel on the blouse, the clutch, and the black, yellow, and silver pointed toe pumps. On paper all of these elements sound like they would never make a great look, but Freida makes it all work.

#BestDressed: Brie Larson in Chanel at the 2016 Film Independent Spirit Awards

Brie Larson made her return to the red carpet last night, after being MIA at all the major events between the SAG Awards and now, and she did so in fine style. Brie wore an amazing Chanel Spring 2016 RTW top and skirt for her red carpet appearance at the 2016 Film Independent Spirit Awards yesterday. I love that Brie's stylist, Cristina Ehrlich, took the matching top and skirt from two looks from the runway and paired them together for Brie. I don't think I would have loved this look as much I do. We see a lot of the more casual side of glamour on the red carpet at the Spirit Awards and this just added a ladylike touch to a red carpet full of bohemian looks. What really drew me to this look was how the pattern was created of red, white, & blue strips and silver beading, you can see all the detail in an Instagram posted by Brie's stylist. Keeping the look very ladylike Brie added a very chic updo, a red lip, dainty diamond cluster earrings and bracelets by Piaget, and a pair of silver Casadei sandals. Brie continued to sweep awards season taking home the Spirit Award for Best Leading Actress, will she do the same tonight? And more importantly what will she wear?

Bohemian Goddess: Dree Hemingway in Chloe at the 2016 Film Independent Spirit Awards

Dree Hemingway continues to be the cool girl everyone wishes to be like on the red carpet. Last night Dree worked the red carpet at the Film Independent Spirit Awards wearing a flowing Chloe Spring 2016 RTW gown. Not many would be able to make this a standout red carpet look, but Dree makes this such an effortless glam look. This look was perfect for the Film Independent Spirit Awards as it is a more laid back glamorous red carpet. This look was finished perfectly with sun kissed makeup, pulled back hair, and a silver Alexander McQueen union jack clutch.

You Better Werk!: Elizabeth Banks in Elie Saab at the Vanity Fair and Stuart Weitzman Luncheon Celebrating Elizabeth Banks

Elizabeth Banks attended a luncheon thrown by Vanity Fair and Stuart Weitzman in Los Angeles yesterday and she did so in fine style. Elizabeth worked a cloud blue Elie Saab Pre-Fall 2016 jumpsuit rendered in lace and double georgette and features a bi-level style with a jewel neckline and a fluid pant. There is a small list of women who I can honestly say could pull this off and Elizabeth does so in such amazing style. A matching clutch, hidden nude pumps, fresh faced makeup, and hair pulled back just made this look sing on the red carpet at this Vanity Fair luncheon.

Sidewalk Style: Blake Lively in New York City in Michael Kors

Last week after attending the Michael Kors Fall 2016 Presentation during New York Fashion Week, Blake Lively was spotted out and about running errands. Blake braved temperatures that hovered around freezing in this amazing red Michael Kors Spring 2016 RTW floral applique dress. If I didn't know that this was last I would have figured that this was from the early fall, when she wouldn't have been seen as crazy to have worn this. Blake looked breezy and summery in the midst of winter and did so without looking one bit cold (as I am sure she had to be freezing.) Paired with a chain strap Chanel 'Boy' bag, silver studded Christian Louboutin Follies Spikes 120mm black pointed toe pumps, and a killer pair of aviator sunglasses made this look a perfect sidewalk style look.

Performance Perfection: Adele in Valentino at the 2016 BRIT Awards

Adele has taken a new lease on her fashion in 2016 and I am LOVING it. Adele is showing women with curves that you just need to embrace them and F**K the haters because if you feel beautiful who cares what others say. Last night Adele wore an absolutely AMAZING Valentino Pre-Fall 2016 sequined gown with a Native American inspired print. I love that when I first saw this dress I picked for Cate Blanchett where the dress would have hung off her body like it did on the model in the lookbook, but I much prefer it fitting to Adele's curves. I have been loving what Adele has been bringing to the red carpet and the stage and I really hope that she continues to show off her fashionable taste and making amazing red carpet moment.

Glamizon: Tori Kelly in Guari & Nainika at the 2016 Grammy Awards

I have seen Tori Kelly a few times on the red carpet but I don't think I have ever taken any notice of her style, until now. Tori brought the glamour to the red carpet at the 2016 Grammy Awards last night wearing a stunning custom emerald green asymmetrical Guari & Nainika gown. We don't usually see big grand moments on the Grammy red carpet and this is grand and regal. Country stars usually show up in princess or pageant gowns and while this gown is regal its not what we come to expect from a country star. I could have done without the clutch but the rest of the look is perfection so I can not complain about that.

You Better Werk: Selena Gomez in Calvin Klein at the 2016 Grammy Awards

I think the biggest shock of the night was how much I LOVED the custom navy blue Calvin Klein sequined gown that Selena Gomez wore on the red carpet at the Grammy Awards. I think that this gown is quite possibly Selena's best red carpet moment ever and this is perfection. Selena showed that she is a sexy confident young woman. I am now hoping that Selena will be out on the red carpet at Oscar night, and that her look rivals this stunning moment.

You Better Werk!: Sam Hunt in Dolce & Gabbana at the 2016 Grammy Awards

I was expecting to swoon over some non-traditional menswear but if you had told me that it was going to be a country star who would be the one making me swoon I would have scoffed it off. Sam Hunt surprised me by showing up on the Grammy Awards red carpet wearing a dusty rose pink suit and making me swoon. I don't think I have ever seen a country music star that took a risk on the red carpet, and a risk that totally paid off.

Bohemian Goddess: Florence Welch in Gucci at the 2016 Grammy Awards

Florence Welch has always been the queen of bohemian glamour on the red carpet and that was crazy apparent on the red carpet at the Grammy Awards last night. Flo wore a custom pink Gucci gown embellished with stars and moons and bows and I think that only she would be able to make this look work on the the red carpet at the Grammy Awards. I was expecting Florence to wear Gucci as she was named the face of Gucci's fine jewelry and watch collection just last Friday and she definitely did not disappoint me.

Perfect Plus One: Chrissy Teigan in Yousef Al-Jasmi at the 2016 Grammy Awards

There were so many titles that I could have given Chrissy Teigan in Yousef Al-Jasmi at the 2016 Grammy Awards last night. I believe that Chrissy always looks amazing when she steps out on the red carpet, but that is even more apparent when she is supporting her husband John Legend. Chrissy wore this stunning white Yousef Al-Jasmi embroidered cape gown which accentuated her burgeoning baby bump. I thought it was interesting that Chrissy Teigan said that Kim Kardashian has been giving her red carpet tips for dressing during her pregnancy. Chrissy has always been a favorite of mine on the red carpet and this just is another reason why.

You Better Werk: Beyonce in Inbal Dror at the 2016 Grammy Awards

Beyonce's appearance at the Grammy Awards last night came as a huge shock to me. I had no idea that she was going to be presenting and she did not let me down with her absolutely amazing Inbal Dror gown, which actually is a Fall 2016 Bridal look. Beyonce had been let me down fashion wise last year, but this look finds her back at her best. Yes I am sick of the sheer dress trend but I think that only Beyonce could wear this look and sell it to me, most others this would have come across like a slutty Amish bride costume. I love that she styled her hair into a very sleek low bun and added a pair of KILLER Lorraine Schwartz diamond earrings. I shall now bow because I am not worthy.

Performance Perfection: Adele in Givenchy Couture at the 2016 Grammy Awards

Despite some issues with the audio Adele took to the Grammy Awards stage to perform a very emotionally raw version of her song "All I Ask." Adele has just been getting better and better with her sartorial styles and I believe that she reached a new peak with her style in this beautiful Givenchy Couture gown. While the the silhouette is not anything new for Adele the bold color and the amazing crystal embroidery just made this gown a perfect choice for her performance.

You Better Werk!: Lady Gaga in Marc Jacobs at the 2016 Grammy Awards

Lady Gaga attended the 2016 Grammy Awards last night to pay tribute to one of her greatest inspirations, the late David Bowie, and she did so in full Gaga style. Bowie was known for his boundary pushing fashion style and Gaga totally embodied his essence in two custom Marc Jacobs ensembles. Her red carpet look as a beautiful embroidered jacket dress that the moment I saw it reminded me of classic Bowie. and her white performance look was perfection. The orange hair and full bold makeup just completed the stunning tribute to one of music and fashions greatest personalities. I was glad to see that Gaga still can go all out for music red carpets after so many demure looks on film and television red carpets.

Best Dressed at the 2016 BAFTA Awards

The BAFTA Awards took place the the Royal Opera House in London last night and Hollywood stars were out in full force. Cate Blanchett, who was nominated for Best Actress, showed up and my heart stopped beating. I have been waiting for a moment like this from Cate since the Cannes Film Festival and she finally gave me a drop dead gorgeous look that reminded me why I call her my red carpet queen. Queen Cate wore a custom Alexander McQueen gown which featured a floral embroidered denim blouse and black feathered skirt. This gown was actually a meshing of two looks from the Alexander McQueen Spring 2016 RTW collection, the bodice and the feathered skirt. This gown meshed those two looks together and Cate made it work with much ease. Cate finished her amazing look with black Giuseppe Zanotti pumps and Tiffany & Co. jewelry.

Julianne Moore was a close second to Cate wearing an amazing black and white custom Armani Prive halter mermaid gown. Julianne has the ability to make so many different types of looks work on the red carpet and here she displays classic glamour. I love that the redheaded actress paired this gown with a pair of emerald Chopard earrings. I always say when you go monochromatic that you you should always add a pop of color and the emerald earrings did a great job at that along with the hot pink lip color that Julianne wore with her gown. 

Saoirse Ronan has been very pretty all awards season but she showed that she can hang with the real big style stars yesterday at the BAFTA Awards. Saoirse wore an absolutely amazing hand beaded firework pattern custom Burberry strapless column gown that she paired with a statement Chopard necklace set with 275 carats fancy colored sapphires, 82 carats fancy colored briolette-cut sapphires, 11 carats round shaped rose-cut diamonds, and 5 carats of pear shaped diamonds. Her deliberately messy elegant updo, smoky eye, and Chopard yellow diamond cocktail ring all rounded off a look that finally made me take notice of the stunning actress. 

Game of Thrones star Emilia Clarke stepped out on the BAFTA Awards red carpet and she did do in fine style wearing a very beautiful red Victoria Beckham gown. Emilia was a presenter last night and I believe that she chose to go with this gown to not overshadow all the nominees, but she slayed the red carpet. A Jimmy Choo clutch and Tiffany & Co. diamonds finished this look.

 Olga Kurylenko was another of the stunning guests at the BAFTA Awards yesterday. She wore a beautiful white Ralph & Russo Spring 2016 Couture short sleeve embroidered sheer gown with a portrait neckline. I was a little hesitant to love this look because Olga has already worn a similar Ralph & Russo gown before but I think that this is just so chic that I can not ignore it. All the elements of this look from the voluminous waves to the Ralph & Russo clutch just scream glamour and that is why she is on this list. 

On any other woman I probably would have said that this orange lace Erdem Pre-Fall 2016 floral embroidered gown would have been inappropriate for the BAFTA Awards but model Dree Hemingway has such a cool girl status for her sense of style that she makes it work. I can only picture someone like Florence Welch being able to sell this gown to me, but I am glad that Dree brought something different to the BAFTA red carpet. I applaud her for taking such a risk.

We are so used to seeing very flirty and feminine looks from Alicia Vikander so I have to give a round of applause for this custom Louis Vuitton crystal embellished leather gown. Inspired by the Spring 2016 RTW collection, it is not something I would have ever pictured on Alicia but she does it an insane amount of justice. This sexy side of Alicia is something that I am hoping that we will see this side of her a little more on the red carpet.

I had never heard of Bel Powley before the BAFTA Awards red carpet last night but I guess I will have to start taking notice of the EE Rising Star nominee as she hit the red carpet wearing a custom Gucci multicolored striped lurex plisse gown. This is another of those looks that I would not pick for the BAFTA Awards but on Bel, who is 23, made me stop and swoon when I saw her on the carpet. 

I think the biggest shock for me is that I am including Rooney Mara in my Best Dressed list. Rooney has failed to excite me this awards season but I was quite drawn to her oyster colored Givenchy Spring 2016 Couture. It is reminiscent of looks that she has worn recently but I think that this time all her styling was on point. I appreciate that it was something visually interesting and not another basic white, black, or nude gown. 

I am going to start off with saying that I love Dakota Johnson wearing this stunning red Christian Dior gown, but I was a little underwhelmed. Dakota looked beautiful but I was expecting a little more from the EE Rising Star who had been delivering red carpet hit after red carpet hit recently. I almost wish that she had switched this with her gold Marc Jacobs gown she wore last week, it would have caused me to push her up this list a few spaces.

You Better Werk: Rihanna in Marc Jacobs at the MusiCares Person of the Year Gala

Rihanna has been killing it recently and her appearance during the 2016 MusiCares Person of the Year Gala honoring Lionel Richie was no different. Rihanna wore a stunning gown from the Marc Jacobs Spring 2016 RTW collection, giving us my favorite look from the collection off the runway (it surpasses Kerry Washington at the Emmy Awards which landed on my Best Dressed of the Year list last year.) This red and white embroidered sheer gown was a perfect look for a stage performance and Rihanna killed it. She paired the gown with a pair of red and white pointed toe sneakers from her debut Fenty x Puma collection. On anyone else I would have loathed that styling but Rihanna makes it all work. I was already very excited to see what she will wear when she takes to the red carpet at the Grammy Awards and this just makes me even more eager.

You Better Werk!: Madalina Ghenea in Zuhair Murad Couture at the Sanremo Festival

Madalina Ghenea, the Romanian actress and model who is serving as a hostess at the Sanremo Music Festival this year, has been blowing me away. Yesterday Madalina wore a trio of Zuhair Murad Couture gowns on the stage yesterday and I am starting to develop a bit of a girl crush on her. She kicked off the day wearing a light blue gown from the Spring 2015 Couture collection which features a beautiful back bustle. I was a little sad that of all of the Zuhair gowns that Madalina could have chosen she picked the gown that Ana Beatriz Barrios wore to the Monaco royal wedding last year, but Madalina does do the look incredible justice. My favorite look of the three is the stunning impact making ruby red starburst embroidered long sleeve ball gown from the Fall 2015 Couture collection. I tend to favor these high impact looks from Madalina and this definitely is sweet and sexy all at the same time. Her final look saw her back in the Spring 2015 Couture collection with a silver grey gown which reminds me a little of something that would make a perfect costume for Juliet in Romeo and Juliet and Madalina looked absolutely beautiful wearing it. I am already excited to see what she is going to wear tonight. Which couturier will she choose tonight?