Best Dresses of 2010

In a year filled with statement-making wardrobe choices, narrowing the field was no small task. But after much study and deliberation, we present to you our 50 favorite looks of 2010, from Lady Gaga’s inspired accessorizing to Michelle Obama’s chicest casual Friday.

Ashley Olsen at the ELLE Style Awards, February 22
We love the Olsens layered in dirty Balenciaga, but it’s a treat when they dress up, too. Especially when Ashley pulled vintage Lacroix out of her closet and topped it with a vivid red fur.

Blake Lively at Fashion’s Night Out: The Show
This playful dress, with its striking neon African print and flirty skirt, was a stark departure from the curve-hugging, overtly sexy numbers that we have come to expect from the Gossip Girl star.

Carey Mulligan at the Academy Awards, March 7
Some starlets may be tempted to blend in at their first Oscar ceremony, but Carey Mulligan chose a black Prada dress covered in silver utensils. It’s like a Monet, but not the way Cher meant it.

                                                      Coco Rocha at the MTV Video Music Awards, September 12
                                                   We love a star's loyalty to a designer—in this case, Coca Rocha stood out from all the metallics and feathers at the VMAs wearing a ’20s-inspired black gown by Zac Posen, who also designed her wedding dress.

Diane Kruger at the ELLE Women in Hollywood party
The actress’s hot-pink Calvin Klein sheath managed to nod to two of spring 2011’s major trends simultaneously—minimalism and Skittles-bright color.

Diane Kruger at the Golden Camera Awards, January 30
Diane Kruger looked regal—and warm—pairing her dramatic lace Valentino gown with a plush cropped-fur coat.

Dree Hemingway at the 2010 Convivio in Milan
The stunning model paired an on-trend fluorescent Valentino dress with a delightfully uncoordinated clutch and stilettos by the same designer—and finished the esoteric ensemble with a vivid neon pout.

Emma Watson at the premiere of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I, August 11
Don’t call her Hermione! The pint-size Potter actress further cemented her fashion cred in this sophisticated Alice for Temperley dress.

Kate Bosworth at the Calvin Klein Collection after-party, February 18
Kate Bosworth was anything but bland in this oh-so-sleek nude Calvin Klein dress, accented with vivid red lips and bold crimson wedges.

Kate Hudson at the Screen Actors Guild Awards, January 23
If you got it, flaunt it: The actress turned her back into an all-new erogenous zone in a white-hot Pucci dress that fit like a glove.

Katy Perry at the Met Costume Institute Gala
She outshined—literally—a who’s-who of A-list designers, supermodels, and actresses (in outfits by said A-list designers). The maker of her LED gown? UK-based brand Cute Circuit. Who? Exactly.

Kristen Stewart at a New York City screening of Twilight, June 28
Kristen Stewart showed up to this particular Twilight screening looking impeccably polished in Roland Mouret’s appliqué dress with matching burgundy Louboutins, demonstrating that though her boyfriend prefers to appear unwashed, the real-life Bella got some serious polish this year.

Lady Gaga at an amfAR benefit, February 10
Pop’s reigning carnival act showed that pearls aren’t just for debutantes and grandmothers.

Marion Cotillard at the Critics’ Choice Movie Awards, April 13
The Oscar winner made a successful case for taking the bustier out of the bedroom and onto the red carpet in this screen-siren-worthy Christian Dior gown.

Michelle Williams at the London premiere of Blue Valentine, October 15
In the spirit of being in London, Michelle Williams wore a dress by British label Erdem and shoes by English cobbler Charlotte Olympia. The red lace looked electric against her platinum hair, and leopard-print pumps boosted the look instead of clashing.

Miley Cyrus at the Academy Awards, March 7
The Internet’s chattering classes were undecided about the singer’s version of the bustier gown, but we think Miley Cyrus looked youthful and fun in her champagne Jennifer Packham ensemble—it’s what any 17-year-old girl would love to wear at the ultimate formal occasion.

Natalie Portman at IFP’s Gotham Independent Film Awards, November 29
We’re used to seeing more conservative looks on the Harvard grad, but this youthful, shoulder-baring dress from Lanvin (Hearts) H&M made a strong, sophisticated statement.

Olivia Wilde at the Film Independent Spirit Awards, March 5
Her vintage-inspired Ralph Lauren dress looked effortless and elegantly comfortable while also appropriate for the night's refined-but-relaxed vibe.

Sarah Jessica Parker at the Halston Heritage spring 2011 show
While SJP has been known to choose more fanciful Halston dresses recently, this one gave her the sex appeal of a Carrie Bradshaw circa season 3. The bright accessories mix drove the look home.

Sarah Jessica Parker at the Met Costume Institute Gala, May 3
In a shimmering Halston Heritage gown, the label’s new creative director embodied the haute-bohemian style of her brand at one of the biggest fashion events of the year.

Victoria Beckham at New York Fashion Week, September 9
Victoria Beckham is the consummate power dresser, and even this feminine, mod frock screamed fashion royalty with its strong emerald shade.

Chloë Sevigny at the Golden Globe Awards, January 17
Chloë Sevigny’s known for daring fashion choices, but for the Golden Globes she got as close to traditional as she ever has with this sweeping mushroom-colored Valentino dress.

Christina Hendricks at the premiere of Mad Men, season 4, July 20
While the acclaimed actress consistently shows that she knows how to dress her head-turning curves, this Dolce & Gabbana frock set off all her assets (including her flawless skin and fiery mane)

Diane Kruger at the Screen Actors Guild Awards, January 23
Diane Kruger wears oodles of Chanel, but she struck sartorial gold twice with Jason Wu this year, including the marigold off-the-shoulder dress she wore to SAG Awards. Yes, the hue owed a debt to Michelle Williams’ 2008 Oscar appearance, but Kruger even imitates with aplomb.

Drew Barrymore arriving at the Late Show With David Letterman, August 24
Drew Barrymore proved her cool once again in the kind of ensemble we’re used to seeing on fashion editors, not movie stars. Her Richard Chai top, Camilla & Marc tuxedo trousers, and YSL pumps would look just as good at the shows as they would on a red carpet.

January Jones at the Emmy Awards, August 29
Sure, girls aren’t generally encouraged to aspire to Barbie-like proportions, but if Barbie resembled January Jones in royal blue Versace at the Emmys, we can think of worse things to look up to.

Jessica Biel at the premiere of Valentine’s Day, February 8
The girly romance of Jessica Biel’s frothy Oscar de la Renta gown was an ideal endorsement for the ensemble rom-com.

Leighton Meester at an Herbal Essences promotion, November 24
The actress-slash-singer usually opts for edgy anti-Blair ensembles, but in this cutaway-shoulder silk-and-velvet Versus number paired with Pierre Hardy heels, Leighton Meester looked equal parts uptown luxe and downtown edge.

Mia Wasikowski at the Film Independent Spirit Awards, March 5
A sophisticated Rodarte dress showed that, in spite of limited experience on the red carpet, Mia Wasikowski was no style rookie.

Rachel McAdams at the Academy Awards, March 7
Rachel McAdams went for old-Hollywood drama in a full-skirted Elie Saab Couture gown that got a modern update courtesy of its ethereal watercolor print.

Reese Witherspoon at the premiere of How Do You Know, December 14
Reese Witherspoon knows what works for her (a trim, strapless sheath, bare legs, hair down), and she sticks with it with great success. The playful bow print on this Zac Posen cocktail frock added whimsy to the Oscar winner’s signature look.

Rihanna at the American Music Awards, November 21
Rihanna’s crimson peekaboo Elie Saab dress beautifully reinvented Halle Barry’s 2002 Oscar gown by the same designer—but in a way that suited the risk-taking singer’s eclectic fashion sensibility.

Sienna Miller at the Met Costume Institute Gala, May 3
This plunging Pucci gown perfectly accented Sienna Miller’s coloring and was right on trend with last spring’s uneven-hem craze.

Tilda Swinton at the Berlin International Film Festival, February 11
The convention-bucking actress usually favors quirky and androgynous over sexy and slinky, but in this backless, cobalt silk stunner, Tilda Swinton looked every inch a knockout.

Vanessa Paradis at Chanel’s Rouge Coco dinner, February 9
Vanessa Paradis may have what Americans call eclectic style, but it’s more like an innate French sense of what’s right. Yes, she wore an exquisite dress, but she also managed to give Chanel’s lipstick a starring role (and that, after all, is the reason she was there).

Carey Mulligan at the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Awards, November 15
Carey Mulligan is a true fashion original, and this one-of-a-kind Chanel confection showcased her unique style sensibility just right.

Cate Blanchett at the Tony Awards, June 13
Though the actress spent most of the year in Australia focusing on her new role at the Sydney Theatre Company, when she did step out on the red carpet, she did it damn well, in unconventional choices like this showstopping silver suit by Giorgio Armani.

Charlene Wittstock at the Monaco Palace, November 19
The South African fiancée of Monaco’s Prince Albert is a former Olympic swimmer—and a dead ringer for supermodel Carmen Kass. Here, the soon-to-be princess wore a dramatic oversize chapeau and couture suit the way only European royalty can.

Charlotte Gainsbourg at the Met Costume Institute Gala, May 3
The French chanteuse took the eveningwear road less traveled in Balenciaga’s platform ankle booties and bold sequined wrap dress for the Metropolitan Museum’s annual ball.

Dree Hemingway at a screening of Twilight: Eclipse, June 28
Even in an American Apparel tee, a self-made jersey skirt, and simple heels, model Dree Hemingway turned it out for a night on the town, making artfully constructed eveningwear look truly effortless.

Eva Mendes at Variety’s Power of Women luncheon, September 30
Eva Mendes’ glowing tan set off her Salvatore Ferragamo resort dress beautifully, looking every inch the bella figura that the label’s creative director, Massimiliano Giornetti, designs for.

Helen Mirren at the premiere of The Tempest, December 6
The regal Oscar winner proved she could turn on the glam as well as stars half her age in a low-cut Badgley Mischka sequined top and sweeping skirt, finished off with spot-on gilded accessories.

Kate Bosworth at Montblanc’s UNICEF cocktail party, March 6
Kate Bosworth is a young designer’s dream—she wears Proenza Schouler like it’s J.Crew and gave more than one British unknown a major red carpet moment this year. Here she looked effortless in Peter Pilotto.

Natalia Vodianova at the Harper’s Bazaar Women of the Year awards, November 1
The Russian style icon rocked this look from Balmain’s fall 2010 collection easily and effortlessly, like it was just another dress in her closet. And for the ultra-successful supermodel and muse, maybe it was. G_

Nicki Minaj at the launch of her M.A.C Pink Friday lipstick, November 22
The petite rapper toned down her usually off-the-wall aesthetic for her lipstick launch, pairing a tan leather dress with sky-high pumps (but it wouldn’t be Nicki/Barbie without some rainbow-hued tips on her platinum locks).

Olivia Wilde at the BAFTA awards, November 4
The statuesque actress perfected simple elegance (not to mention nailing cold-weather formal) in a Michael Kors cashmere V-neck top and fishtail sequined skirt.

Sandra Bullock at the Academy Awards, March 7
Just a week before the tabloids exploded with news of husband Jesse James’ affair, the real-life Miss Congeniality won best actress—and positively shined on the red carpet, looking every inch the winner in a gold lace-and-sequined Marchesa gown.

Jessica Alba at the Boss Black show during Berlin Fashion Week, July 8
The actress sported a casual look that was utterly enviable in a sweet and summery ’60s-style frock paired with killer nude platform sandals.