Archive The 10 Best Dressed Elegant or eclectic, showstopper or simply chic, these stars hit fashion high notes By People Staff Published on September 29, 2008 12:00 PM Share Tweet Pin Email Rihanna Kicks Off the Stylishness with Her Mix of High Fashion, Street Chic … and the Most Coveted Haircut of the Year. Rihanna Sugar and Spice In Zac Posen in Los Angeles. In Armani Prive in Los Angeles. In Dolce & Gabbana in London. In Giambattista Valli in Los Angeles. WHAT A YEAR! RIHANNA TRANSFORMED HERSELF FROM COOKIE CUTTER TO COUTURE Elements of Style She doesn’t take herself too seriously You’ll never catch this island beauty constrained by fashion rules: “It’s all about inspiration, expression and my mood. Whatever mood I’m in, that’s how I dress,” she says. And it doesn’t just apply to clothes: The singer’s latest accessories—her growing number of tattoos (10 and counting!)—get the same treatment. “They’re very addictive,” adds Rihanna, 20. “I always find a cool place to put them.” She has a great haircut “Her short hair is so versatile,” says the star’s hairstylist Ursula Stephens. “Spiked up, all forward, slick it back, she rocks it.” Women are now asking for “the Rihanna” in salons across America, says Stephens. “We never knew it was going to be this big.” She straddles the line between sweet and street From her smoky eyeliner to her liquid leather leggings and motorcycle jackets, Rihanna takes noir beyond just the LBD. And on the red carpet, she tempers her jewel-toned dresses with chunky jewelry or dark lipstick for that sassy—yet classy—edge. “She’s able to bring an island feel to her style,” says the star’s stylist Lyse Cooper, “but she’s very Grace Jones in the ’80s: avant-garde and fun.” Get Rihanna‘s Look! FANTAS-EYESSilver aviators, $19; victoriassecret.com FAUXSIE JEWELSFiligree heart pendant, $95; fauxsie.com DELIA’SAshton pleather jacket, $69.50; delias.com MEMBERS ONLYLiquid leggings, $88; membersonlystyle.com SHOPTHELOOKSilver studded bracelet, $18; 212-239-8106 In a leather jacket, Members Only leggings, Yves Saint Laurent bag and Gucci boots in Paris. VICTORIA’S SECRETLeopard buckle satchel, $69; victoriassecret.com MICHAEL ANTONIOFaux leather knee high boots, $68; shiekhshoes.com Gwyneth PaltrowBetter Than Ever Elements of Style She plays up her legs.“The nice thing about working hard on your body is that everything looks good on you,” says trainer Tracy Anderson, who toned the star. She doesn’t get into a rut.After stepping out of the spotlight for motherhood, Paltrow, 36, returned with a penchant for shorter hemlines and traded her signature long blonde locks for a tousled bob. Her shoes are always amazing.From show-stopping leather gladiators to towering lace stilettos, Paltrow’s shoe wardrobe has “modern flair,” says Tod’s creative director Derek Lam. (Paltrow is the face of the brand.) In Gucci in N.Y.C. In Lanvin in Cannes. In Preen in Rome. Get Gwyneth’s Look! OLD NAVYCap-sleeve dress, $29.50; oldnavy.com NAUGHTY MONKEYSecret Secretary pump, $49.47; endless.com MICHAEL DAWKINSSet of three sterling gemstone rings, $81; qvc.com Michelle ObamaClassic and Confident Elements of Style She uses accessories to embellish simple outfits“It’s amazing what you can do to dress up an outfit with a big belt or pretty pin,” says Obama, 44. She knows what styles and colors work for her“I’ve learned to go with colors and cuts that look good on me, that I’m comfortable in,” says Obama. “Like pinks, purples and grays, fitted dresses and wide-leg pants.” She believes in democratic fashion“Some of my favorite summer dresses are from Gap and H&M,” says Obama. “And my dress from White House/Black Market [above, center] seemed to really make a splash.” Get Michelle’s Look! DELIA’SCeleste cardigan, $39.50; delias.com ALL THE RAGE ONLINEFaux pearl necklace, $15; alltherageonline.com SONOMA LIFE + STYLEBelt, $24; at select Kohl’s stores. VICTORIA’S SECRETV-neck T-shirt dress, $38; victoriassecret.com CHINESE LAUNDRYBucana sandal, $59; chineselaundry.com In a Maria Pinto dress and Carolee choker in Chicago. In Donna Ricco in N.Y.C. HER FAVORITE MALL STORESGAP J. CREW H&M In an Isabel Toledo ensemble and Tom Binns necklace in N.Y.C. Heidi KlumModel Chic Elements of Style She goes for all-out glamour on the red carpet.“I’m not going to weasel by unnoticed!” says Klum, 35, who favors dresses with edgy sculptural details and fashion-forward silhouettes by designers like John Galliano and Roland Mouret. She likes to work in eye-catching touches.“I love glitter, rhinestones and animal prints,” says Klum. “Maybe other people think that’s Eurotrash, but sometimes, I love a Eurotrash piece.” Her hair and makeup always make a statement.Whether it’s retro waves, red lips or thoroughly modern bangs, Klum’s beauty looks are deliberate—and don’t take a back seat to the clothes. In Dior by John Galliano in Los Angeles. In RM by Roland Mouret in New York City. In a Heidi Klum by Jordache top and jeans in New York City. Get Heidi’s Look! FREE PEOPLEElysees V top, $98; freepeople.com VIETABelt, $21; aboutattitude.com SHOP THE LOOKGold cuff with embellishment, $25; 212-239-8106 SKINNY18k gold-plated ring with Swarovski crystals, $60; skinnystyle.com T5Gray skinny jean, $38; macys.com DV BY DOLCE VITASass-10 pump, $66.47, endless.com FergieRefined Rocker Elements of Style She pairs ladylike clothing with edgy accessories.She may be a rock star, but that doesn’t mean she lounges around in ripped jeans. Instead, she wears chic dresses by Dolce & Gabbana and Calvin Klein and pairs them with studded clutches or chunky jewelry. She likes to show off her legs.The star often wears shorts and minis, “because no matter what, my legs from the thighs down do not gain or lose weight, so it’s safe,” she says. She keeps her makeup simple.“I don’t wear a lot of makeup,” says the star, who usually sticks to moisturizer, gloss and mascara. “I don’t do it well.” Get Fergie‘s Look! JCPENNEYSunglasses, $24; jcp.com for stores A.N.A.Ivory capelet, $55; jcp.com for stores. LAUREN CONRADJackie tube top, $44; shopbop.com FOREVER 21Plaid shorts, $15.80; forever21.com VITAMare bracelet, $99; treetopinmarch.com NICOLE LEE U.S.A.Shimmering grid satchel, $78.50; nicoleleeonline.com NATURALIZERAlysha shoe, $79; piperlime.com In a Couture Couture jacket, Volcom shorts, Chloe shoes, D&G sunglasses and Versace purse in L.A. In a Dolce & Gabbana minidress in Costa Mesa, Calif. In Calvin Klein Collection in L.A. Sarah Jessica ParkerExpert Eclectic Elements of Style She effortlessly mixes high-end and affordable pieces.“You can count on a simple dress being appropriate for anything,” says Parker, 43, who paired a vintage Ralph Lauren dress with a Bitten belt for a red carpet event. She always wears heels.Sky-high stilettos are must-haves on and off the red carpet for the 5’4″ star. But how can she stand it? “I was a dancer so I was always asking my feet to do things that weren’t natural.” Her accessories are never an afterthought.Whether it’s a leopard print clutch or sparkly brooches, Parker knows the impact of a statement piece. In Versace Atelier and Fred Leighton jewels in Berlin. In vintage Ralph Lauren and Bitten belt in New York City. In a Jil Sander jacket, Marni top and Dolce & Gabbana clutch in N.Y.C. Get Sarah’s Look! GirlPROPS.COMYellow feather pin, $12.99; girlprops.com VICTOR BY VICTOR ALFAROWool blend cropped jacket, $186; bonton.com MICHAEL STARSShort-sleeve tee, $42; revolveclothing.com H&MBlack pencil pants, $24.90; hm.com for stores MARSHALLSLeopard clutch, $14.99; marshallsonline.com GO JANECrinkle patent oxford pump, $16.99; gojane.com Charlize TheronBold and Beautiful Elements of Style She isn’t afraid of tricky trends.At 5’9″ Theron, 33, has the height to pull off almost anything—she loves oversize ruffles, bold color combos and dramatic shapes. “If I don’t feel like I’m rocking it,” she says, “I just can’t do it.” She teams up with a forward-thinking designer.The face of Dior J’adore since 2004, Theron often wears the fashion house’s creations. “I love working with John Galliano,” she says. “He’s insanely creative and loves women.” Her hair and makeup are impeccable.Whether she goes for red lips or smoky eyes, her face always enhances (never competes with!) her clothes. Get Charlize’s Look! CLAIRE’SHoop earrings with rhinestone drop, $6.50; claires.com for stores. I.D.I BY MATTHEWTank, $70; 323-277-0500. TERRY STACKBelt, $36, with buckle, $50; terrystack.com. BANANA REPUBLICSkirt, $115; bananarepublic.com ARDEN B.Beaded hinge cuff, $28; ardenb.com AMICITextured clutch, $49; southmoonunder.com CHARLES BY CHARLES DAVIDBow Bow sandal, $89.95; endless.com In Dior by John Galliano in L.A. In Dior in Paris. In Dior in N.Y.C. Kate HudsonEffortless Taste Elements of Style She makes it look easy.Whether it’s an open-necked blouse or just-undone-enough hair, there’s always a detail that makes Hudson’s look feel chic, yet unstudied. “You know what it is? I like things that are comfortable,” says Hudson, 29. “If I can move in it, I love it.” She isn’t afraid to try different looks.“Kate loves fashion, so she plays with things that may not be her exact personal style but she’ll still rock it,” says her stylist Rachel Zoe. Her go-to beauty look is naturalHudson often does a shimmery eye, glossy lips and touchable hair. “Kate is your California beach beauty,” says Zoe. In Balmain in Los Angeles. In Zac Posen in Los Angeles. In a Valentino trench and Brian Atwood shoes in N.Y.C. Get Kate’s Look! TALBOTSDuchesse satin trench coat, $199; talbots.com FOREVER 21Embellished bangles, $6.80; forever21.com GO JANEMetallic Braid Strappy Rhinestone Sandal, $32.99; gojane.com Eva MendesPretty and Polished Elements of Style She favors ladylike pieces.Mendes, 34, opts for figure-skimming dresses with feminine touches like bows, ruffles and floral prints. “I like to look stylish,” says the star, who often wears dresses by Dolce & Gabbana, Calvin Klein and Zac Posen. “But I don’t obsess over it.” She prefers natural hair and makeup.“I’m so comfortable in my skin,” says Mendes, whose steamy Calvin Klein fragrance ads caused a stir recently. “I’ve never felt more beautiful.” She goes easy on the accessories.Her neutral shoes and small statement pieces (such as a Cartier tiger ring) allow her clothes to take center stage. Get Eva’s Look! RUBBER DUCKYFloral chiffon dress, $78; unique-vintage.com TERRY STACKPebble grain belt, $32; terrystack.com GirlPROPS.COMGold-plated chain bracelet, $9.99; girlprops.com FREDERICK’S OF HOLLYWOODCrisscross patent sandals, $24.99; fredericks.com In D&G in N.Y.C. In Dolce & Gabbana in Milan. In Zac Posen in N.Y.C. Anne HathawayYoung and Glam Elements of Style She can go retro without being costumey.“Annie can do a very Ava Gardner moment or go younger and edgier,” says her stylist Rachel Zoe. She sticks to a color palette that works for her.Hathaway, 25, often opts for black, white and especially red because “it’s just what looks best,” says Zoe. “There’s nothing better than a brunette in an amazing red.” She projects confidence.After toning up with trainer David Kirsch, Hathaway “felt amazing,” he says. “You need to feel confident to feel comfortable.” Adds Hathaway: “As long as you have fun with it, it’s fun.” In Marchesa in Madrid. In Roberto Cavalli in New York City. In Diane von Furstenberg in Rome. Get Anne’s Look! TALBOTSDouble-weave dress, $148; talbots.com GO JANEBeaded belt, $12.99; gojane.com QVCSterling round onyx link bracelet, $81; qvc.com CHARLES BY CHARLES DAVIDSlinky platform sandals, $104.05; endless.com