Publishing date: Dec, 10, 2021
Let’s be honest, most of us look forward to the red carpet photos from events and award shows more than the actual awards ceremony. Met Gala, Grammys, and VMAs, are all an opportunity for artists to put their stylists and glam team to work and for a red carpet flex. If you’re Kali Uchis or Wizkid, sometimes you post a fire fit pic just cause it’s Sunday. Either way, outfit photos are shared in group chats and DMs as frequently as memes. This year, celebrity stylists worked harder than ever with the return of many events and performances. Kid Cudi and Harry Styles had multiple dress moments, Lil Nas X wore 3 outfits to the Met, and Beyoncé wore sunglasses at night. Without further ado, enjoy the 21 best style moments of 2021 (in our opinion).
Dua Lipa Grammy Awards (March 14)
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Dua Lipa is always fashionable but her custom Versace butterfly gown for the Grammys is a whole moment in itself. The look references a similar dress worn by Christina Aguilera to the 2000s Grammy Awards and was complemented by a butterfly manicure and iced-out top grill.
Phoebe Bridgers Grammy Awards (March 14)
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Phoebe Bridgers took her signature goth-leaning aesthetic and made it red carpet with this Thom Browne skeleton dress. Black nails and dark lipstick obviously included.
Kid Cudi ‘Saturday Night Live’ Performance (April 11)
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Kid Cudi has had so many memorable fashion moments this year it’s hard to pick one but his Saturday Night Live performance was the debut of his Off-White dress paying tribute to Kurt Cobain. After this performance, dresses became a regular part of Cudi’s red carpet style, encouraging others to play around with style and challenge gender norms.
H.E.R. The Academy Awards (April 25)
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Ladies and gentlemen presenting….H.E.R. The Peter Dundas beaded purple jumpsuit was an homage to Prince’s look at the 1985 Oscars when he won Best Original Song for “Purple Rain.” Not only did H.E.R. channel Prince with her outfit but she also took home the Oscar for Best Original Song that night.
Rina Sawayama Brit Awards (May 11)
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Rina Sawayama was a lilac tulle dream in Balmain Haute Couture at the Brit Awards this year, marking her first Brit nomination. Her debut was a milestone moment as she was previously ineligible for the awards because she was born in Japan and didn’t hold a British passport.
HAIM Brit Awards (May 11)
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The HAIM sisters had a power suit moment at the Brit Awards dressed in black and white The Row outfits. Giving major Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen vibes, they also took home the award for Best International Group that night.
Machine Gun Kelly & Megan Fox Billboard Music Awards (May 23)
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The too-hot-to-handle duo that is Machine Gun Kelly and Megan Fox are notorious for turning heads with their red carpet looks but their look for the BBMAs was arguably their sexiest yet. The look started with a deconstructed Balmain suit for MGK (stylist Adam Ballheim gave us all the deets here) and was paired with a little black dress by Thierry Mugler for Megan.
Pharrell’s Infinity Stone Grillz (June 17)
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Pharrell has a 100K dollar smile with his Gabby Elan Jewelry grill that drew comparisons to Marvel’s Infinity Stones. Featuring white diamonds, yellow diamonds, rubies, sapphires, and emeralds the custom set is unique and timeless—just like Pharrell.
A$AP Rocky & Rihanna Shooting In NYC (July 12)
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If there’s anyone that always understands the assignment it’s A$AP Rocky and Rihanna. One of their heavily reposted street style looks is matching neon fur outfits from an unreleased music video shoot in New York. Her lime green sandals match his fuzzy fur hat! He’s wearing Timbaland’s and a wife-beater! Only these two could look pull this off.
Wizkid Monochromatic London Look (Aug 1)
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Wizkid posted a monochromatic look to his Instagram featuring the Issey Miyake classic pleats in tones of green and perfectly accessorized with chains and summer sandals. Unclear what the elevated casual look was for but he pulled it off effortlessly.
Dove Cameron New York Fashion Week (September 10)
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Watercolor has never looked so good—on Dove Cameron during NYFW that is. She wore a mesmerizing Prabal Gurung dress featuring an intricate artistic floral pattern.
Madison Beer MTV Video Music Awards (Sept 12)
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Continuing the past and present trend this year, Madison Beer took inspiration from Beyoncé wearing a Dolce & Gabbana dress that Beyoncé wore to a 2003 David Letterman taping. The rose pink silk and leather midi dress on Madison was one of the best 2021 VMA red carpet looks.
Kim Petras The Met Gala (Sept 13)
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Expect the unexpected from Kim Petras and just know that she’ll own every outfit she wears. She made her debut at The Met Gala this year and naturally her horse chic gown by Collina Strada was one of the most talked-about looks of the night. Called a “horset,” she wore a horses head on top of a silk dress made from real roses—we recently chatted to her about The Met Gala and more.
Lil Nas X The Met Gala (Sept 13)
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Lil Nas X wore not one or two but THREE different outfits to The Met Gala, unveiling them all on the red carpet. Designed by Versace (and inspired by the Russian Babushka dolls) Lil Nas X arrived in a regal cape. Taking off the cape, he was wearing a gold suit of armour and removed that to reveal his final form in a crystal bodysuit showing off Versace’s signature house print.
Kali Uchis Robert Wun Wedding Look (Oct 3)
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Kali Uchis blessed our feeds one Sunday with this Robert Wun ensemble called “The Wedding.” Everything from the pleats and layering to the hat and veil is perfection.
Beyoncé The Harder They Fall Movie Premiere (Oct 6)
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Do Men In Black sunglasses go with a ball gown? When you’re Beyoncé they do. She stole the show at the premiere for Jay-Z’s new movie The Harder The Fall.
Lady Gaga Love For Sale Livestream With Westfield (Oct 7)
To celebrate her new album with Tony Bennett (it’s also his last album) Lady Gaga organized a livestream event performing new and old hits in a jazz theatre. Both of her dresses for the occasion are the perfect take on Old Hollywood glamour and were designed by her sister Natali Germanotta.
Travis Barker & Kourtney Kardashian Halloween (Nov 1)
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Travis Barker and Kourtney Kardashian often step out in Hot Topic couture—which is a moment in itself—but they really went all out for Halloween. Dressing up as Edward Scissorhands and Kim, they perfectly recreated every detail.
Snoh Aalegra Day N Vegas Performance (Nov 14)
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Ugh, those feels again when Snoh Aalegra performs in a stunning costume for the first time in two years. Her custom outfit, designed by L.O.C.A, was bedazzled in all the right places.
Harry Styles Dazed Cover (November 15)
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The style icon that is Harry Styles unveiled his new beauty brand (Pleasing) in his Dazed cover story along with a 13-image shoot. Harry delivers fashion with a capital F in dresses, capes, and a corset from the likes of Gucci, John Galliano, and Jean Paul Gaultier.
Olivia Rodrigo American Music Awards (Nov 21)
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Olivia Rodrigo looked like a mermaid queen in a sequined David Koma dress. She can’t parallel park but she can definitely dress.
Like what you saw? Here’s more:
BeatRoute’s Most Played Singles Of 2021
21 Music Videos We Loved in 2021
Unpacking 2021: The Best Moments In Music
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