It has been a bumper year of style, with Brits (and adopted Brits) of all ages leading the way. Stephanie Smith pays tribute to our chicest celebrity women.
British women have been setting the bar high this year for red carpet and special occasion dressing. Stylish, high-profile Brits tend not to set out for the red carpet groomed to unlikely perfection, all super-glossy and shiny, predictably and unremarkably coiffed and polished. They leave that to their American co-stars.
MEGHAN MARKLE
: Definitely a contender for the Best Newcomer category, Meghan has made an assured and independent foray as a new Royal fashionista, wearing ripped jeans for the Invictus Games and then, for the official engagement photos, styling herself in a luxurious white wrap coat by Line, a brand from her most recent adopted home of Canada. The coat sold out within minutes, has already been renamed the Meghan in her honour, and will be back and available to buy from February. Shes all set to bring Hollywood gloss to British Royal style, and we look forward to next years looks. Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire
Instead, they present a more distinctive and elegant style, one that they own themselves, not a look dictated by the box office or a Hollywood stylist.
Whether in their 20s or their 80s, they show us all that, to shine, we don’t have to look like an identikit model/actress/whatever.
HOLLIDAY GRAINGER:
The Manchester-born actress has been on our TV screens this year in BBC1s very stylish Strike detective series. She presented one of the most unexpected and effective British winter red carpet looks at the Baftas in February this year, teaming a heavy, brocade, floor-length skirt with nude knits and a pale pink kimono jacket, finished with a ruby red velvet clutch and a genius matching bold ruby lip. If ever there was a winter luxe look to emulate, its this. More, please. Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire
Here are the British women (and one adopted American newcomer) whose effortless style has impressed and inspired this year.
JUDI DENCH:
At 83, North Yorkshires own Dame Judi las long been a living, breathing lesson in how to dress elegantly and adventurously when you are neither under 35 years old nor model tall and slim. She has found a style that suits her and tends to stick to it - Eastern-inspired, flowing tunics and trousers, maxi dresses and long light jackets, all layered with billowing scarves. It looks chic and appropriate, wherever she goes, especially here in head-to-toe black. Her hair, she keeps cropped and neat, and the overall look is contemporary, creative and striking.Ian West/PA Wire.
KAREN GILLAN:
The Inverness-born former Doctor Who companion hit the red carpet earlier this month for the Hollywood premiere of Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (in which she wears shrunken clothes because she plays a child sucked into a video game who transforms into a grown-up). This shiny-shiny gold halter-neck gown is by Reem Acra (its custom-made but the current collection can be found on Net-a-Porter). Simple and yet unignorable, its a daring, considered look that glows with style confidence and marks her out as someone to look forward to seeing at next years awards and premieres. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
