There has been no shortage of striking fashion moments in 2021.
It was a slow start, with virtual red carpets and remote awards ceremonies, but the A-list brought their couture A-game to garden photoshoots.
The year then picked up with in-person ceremonies, the return of film festivals and the Met Gala, which may have been four months later than usual but did not disappoint from a style point of view.
Here, we take a month-by-month look at the best sartorial moments of the year, celebrating regional designers, including Elie Saab, Georges Hobeika and Zuhair Murad, as well as international favourites Gucci, Saint Lauren, Miu Miu and Schiaparelli.
The likes of Gemma Chan, Zendaya and Regina King have been chic year round, making appearances throughout, along with fashion risk takers Lady Gaga, Cynthia Erivo and Jodie Turner Smith.
While this is predominantly a look at the best dressed women of the year, it's impossible to talk about great style without giving a nod to the likes of Leslie Odom Jr, Timothee Chalamet and Jared Leto, who all feature.
January
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Anne Hathaway in rose gold Atelier Versace while remotely promoting 'Locked Down' on January 14, 2021. Photo: Instagram / Christian Hogstedt -
Sonam Kapoor in yellow Stephane Rolland haute couture while remotely promoting the Bollywood film ‘AK Vs AK’ on January 20, 2021. Photo: Instagram / Ajay Kadam -
Lady Gaga wore red-and-black Schiaparelli haute couture with a golden bird brooch to sing the American national anthem during the inauguration of Joe Biden as the 46th US President, on January 20, 2021. Reuters -
President-elect Joe Biden, left, and Vice President Mike Pence, right, watch as Lady Gaga steps off the stage after performing the national anthem during the 59th Presidential Inauguration at the US Capitol in Washington, on January 20. AP -
Former US first lady Michelle Obama wore head-to-toe burgundy by emerging black designer Sergio Hudson to the inauguration of Joe Biden as US President. EPA -
US poet Amanda Gorman wore yellow Prada to deliver a poem during the presidential inauguration ceremony. EPA -
Ella Emhoff wore Miu Miu to arrive with brother Cole Emhoff during Joe Biden's inauguration. AFP -
Regina King in Prada while remotely promoting 'One Night In Miami' on January 27. Photo: Instagram / Regina King
As the year began, much of the world was still in lockdown with online events the norm. However, the inauguration of President Joe Biden was an in-person, high-fashion affair, with the likes of former first lady Michelle Obama, Ella Emhoff, Amanda Gorman and Lady Gaga all turning up in eye-catching outfits.
Although January is traditionally in the middle of awards season, 2021 was an anomaly, with almost all of the major movie events delayed by two months. Instead, celebrities promoted their films online, with shoots at home and haute couture styling.
February
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Rebel Wilson in a red Safiyaa gown on the set of TV show ‘Pooch Perfect’ on February 6, 2021. Photo: Instagram / Rebel Wilson -
Kate Hudson in sequinned Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini while remotely promoting ‘Music’ on February 10, 2021. Photo: Instagram / Kate Hudson -
Gemma Chan in red Adeam for the Lunar New Year on February 13, 2021. Photo: Instagram / Gemma Chan -
Kelly Marie Tran wore ombre Michael Cinco to promote 'Raya and the Last Dragon' on 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' on February 18, 2021. Getty Images -
Queen Letizia of Spain wore a white tweed suit dress by Felipe Varela to attend the opening of the Helga de Alvear Museum on February 25, 2021, in Caceres, Spain. Getty Images -
Anya Taylor-Joy in emerald green Dior to remotely attend the 2021 Golden Globes on February 28, 2021. Photo: Instagram / Anya Taylor-Joy -
'Schitt's Creek' star Dan Levy in yellow Valentino to remotely attend the 2021 Golden Globes on February 28, 2021. Photo: Instagram / Dan Levy -
Amanda Seyfried in coral Oscar de la Renta to remotely attend the 2021 Golden Globes on February 28, 2021. Photo: Twitter / Golden Globes -
Lily Collins in embellished Saint Laurent to remotely attend the 2021 Golden Globes on February 28, 2021. Photo: Instagram / Lily Collins -
Jared Leto wore head-to-toe Gucci to remotely attend the 2021 Golden Globes on February 28, 2021. Photo: Twitter / Golden Globes -
Elle Fanning in baby blue Gucci to remotely attend the 2021 Golden Globes on February 28, 2021. Photo: Instagram / Elle Fanning
As February is the month of love, the A-list played the game and brought plenty of rouge, blush pink and romantic styling from the likes of Rebel Wilson in Safiyaa and Amanda Seyfried in pink Oscar de la Renta. Lucky shades of red were also worn to celebrate the Lunar New Year on February 12.
We had one major red carpet event, the Golden Globes, which was held online and in-person on February 28. The likes of Anya Taylor-Joy stunned in Dior and Elle Fanning wore a slip-style satin Gucci gown to virtually attend the event.
March
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Marta Nieto in Alberta Ferretti at the Goya Cinema Awards 2021 red carpet at Gran Hotel Miramar on March 6, 2021, in Malaga, Spain. Getty Images -
Amanda Seyfried in a sequinned Miu Miu tux-style top with black trousers to remotely attend the 26th Critics' Choice Awards on March 7, 2021. Photo: Instagram / Amanda Seyfried -
Beyonce, left, in a black leather look by Schiaparelli Haute Couture, and Megan Thee Stallion, wearing an orange Dolce & Gabbana dress, accept the award for Best Rap Song for 'Savage' at the 63rd annual Grammy Awards at the Los Angeles Convention Centre on March 14, 2021. AP Photo -
Taylor Swift attends the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards in a floral Oscar de la Renta dress at Los Angeles Convention Centre, on March 14, 2021. Photo: The Recording Academy / AFP -
Gal Gadot in a robe-style Miu Miu dress for the Producers Guild of America Awards 2021 on March 24, 2021. Photo: Instagram / Elizabeth Stewart -
Viola Davis in a Xuly.Bet print suit to appear on ‘The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon’ on March 26. Photo: Instagram / Elizabeth Stewart -
Cynthia Erivo in a gown of contrasting textures by Lanvin at the NAACP Image Awards on March 27, 2021. Photo: Instagram / Cynthia Erivo
With March, the fashion world was able to spring into action with several red carpet events, including the 26th Critics' Choice Awards, the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards and the NAACP Image Awards.
Sequins and shimmer came via Gal Gadot, Seyfried and the perpetually best dressed Cynthia Erivo, for their various awards ceremony appearances.
April
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Lily Collins wore blush Georges Hobeika to attend the 27th Screen Actors Guild Awards on April 4, 2021. Photo: Instagram / Georges Hobeika -
Kaley Cuoco wore hot pink Prabal Gurung at the 27th Screen Actors Guild Awards on April 4, 2021. Photo: Instagram / Kaley Cuoco -
Emily Blunt in clashing pink Gucci for ‘The Quiet Place II’ press day in New York City on April 7, 2021. Photo: Instagram / Jessica Paster -
Regina King in vibrant orange Christopher John Rogers to present at the 23rd Costume Designers Guild Awards on April 13, 2021. Photo: Instagram / Regina King -
Carey Mulligan wore gold Valentino Haute Couture at the 93rd Academy Awards on April 25, 2021. EPA -
Amanda Seyfried in red Giorgio Armani at the 93rd Academy Awards on April 25, 2021. EPA -
Zendaya wore a vibrant yellow cut-out Valentino dress at the 93rd Academy Awards on April 25, 2021. EPA -
Leslie Odom Jr wore a 24-karat gold Brioni suit at the 93rd Academy Awards on April 25, 2021. EPA -
Vanessa Kirby wore a pale pink Gucci gown at the 93rd Academy Awards on April 25, 2021. EPA
With April came the sartorial highlight of awards season, the Academy Awards. It was an Oscars like no other in recent history, the ceremony took place at Los Angeles's Union Station, with no musical performances or montages to break up the show, and no host to tie the event together.
But that didn’t mean the fashion was any less dramatic.
The likes of Carey Mulligan and Odom Jr did their best impression of Oscars, dressing in statement gold looks, while Zendaya turned to Valentino for a striking cut-out gown.
Not the only ceremony to take place in April, stars also flocked to the Screen Actors Guild Awards and the Costume Designers Guild Awards with flair.
May
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Olivia Munn wore a gold silk pyjama-style suit by L’Agence to attend Global Citizen’s Vax Live event on May 2, 2021. Getty Images -
Taylor Swift wore silver Miu Miu at the 2021 Brit Awards on May 11, 2021. Getty Images -
Dua Lipa wore vintage style Vivienne Westwood at the 2021 Brit Awards on May 11, 2021. Getty Images -
Zoey Deutch wore green floral Miu Miu to appear on ‘The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon’ on May 13. Photo: Instagram / Zoey Deutch -
Yvonne Orji chose a multicoloured tasselled dress by Ghanaian designer Mimi Plange to wear to the MTV Movie Awards on May 17, 2021. -
Elizabeth Olsen wore sparkling Miu Miu at the MTV Movie Awards on May 17, 2021. Getty Images -
Kathryn Hahn wore black Gabriela Hearst at the MTV Movie Awards on May 17, 2021. Getty Images -
Gabrielle Union wore white sequinned Prada at the 2021 Billboard Music Awards on May 23, 2021. Getty Images -
Leslie Odom Jr wore a yellow coat and black suit at the 2021 Billboard Music Awards on May 23, 2021. Getty Images
In a traditional fashion year, May is arguably the most significant month with the honour of hosting the Met Gala.
While we didn’t have a fashion ball to contend with this May, we did have chic musical events care of the Brit Awards and Billboard Music Awards, and MTV delivered an entertaining purple carpet at its annual MTV Movie Awards.
WandaVision co-stars Kathryn Hahn and Elizabeth Olsen dazzled in black, while Yvonne Orji chose a multicoloured tasselled dress by Ghanaian designer Mimi Plange to wear at the event.
June
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Rita Ora wore a sheer St John dress to attend Vas J Morgan’s Pride house party on June 17. Photo: Instagram / Rob Zangardi -
Jodie Turner Smith wore a Christopher John Rogers puffball skirt while remotely promoting ‘Anne Boleyn’ on June 3. Photo: Instagram / Hung Vanngo -
Sonam Kapoor wore black Loewe in photos shared to her Instagram from London on June 1. Photo: Instagram / Sonam Kapoor -
Elizabeth Olsen wore a grey oversized Alexander McQueen suit to appear on ‘The Late Late Show with James Corden’ on June 24. Photo: Instagram / Elizabeth Stewart -
Lily Aldridge wore gold Moschino to attend the Bulgari x La Scala Gala held in Milan, Italy on June 3. Photo: Instagram / Lily Aldridge -
Angela Bassett wore a red and white candy striped Dolce & Gabbana suit while remotely promoting 'Gunpowder Milkshake' on June 16. Photo: Instagram / Angela Bassett -
Kerry Washington wore hot red Roland Mouret for an OPI press day on June 22. Photo: Instagram / Kerrie Washington
As summer was ushered in, there were less red carpets but no fewer standout fashion moments.
Turner Smith, Kerrie Washington and Angela Bassett dressed to impress for online press days, while Elizabeth Olsen brought androgynous style to The Late Late Show with James Corden care of an oversized Alexander McQueen suit.
July
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Diane Kruger wore black Armani Prive for the screening of 'Tout s'est Bien Passe' at the 74th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes on July 7, 2021. AFP -
Jessica Chastain wore emerald Valentino to attend the Chopard Trophy dinner during the 74th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes on July 9. Getty Images -
Bella Hadid wore a black Schiaparelli gown with statement gold lung-shaped body jewellery for the 'Tre Piani' screening during the 74th Cannes Film Festival on July 11. EPA -
Timothee Chalamet wore silver Tom Ford to attend the 'The French Dispatch' screening during the 74th Cannes Film Festival on July 12. Getty Images -
Sharon Stone wore blue floral Dolce & Gabbana for the 'The Story of My Wife' premiere at the 74th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes on July 14. AP -
Regina King wore monochrome Schiaparelli to attend the amfAR Cinema Against AIDS benefit the during the 74th Cannes Film Festival on July 16. AP -
Gemma Chan wore metallic floral Oscar de la Renta to attend the Cannes Film Festival's closing awards ceremony on July 17. EPA -
Japanese singer Misia wore multicoloured Tomo Koizumi to perform Japan's national anthem during the Opening Ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games on July 23. EPA -
Emily Blunt, wore an oversized shirt and tan trousers by Schiaparelli for the 'Jungle Cruise' premiere on July 24. AP
The 2021 Cannes Film Festival was delayed by two months until mid-July. Models, actors and musicians descended on the French resort town for 11 days of photocalls, premieres and galas.
Gemma Chan stunned in an Oscar de la Renta gown that managed to seem futuristic, soft and feminine, while Bella Hadid grabbed headlines in a Schiaparelli gown with body jewellery in the shape of lungs and capillaries.
Away from the south of France we had the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, which saw singer Misia stun in a multicoloured Tomo Koizumi gown at Opening Ceremony.
August
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Eiza Gonzalez wore green pleated Del Core for the LuisaViaRoma for Unicef on August 1, 2021 in Capri, Italy. Getty Images -
Blake Lively wore pink sequinned Prabal Gurung for the 'Free Guy' premiere on August 3. AP -
Hailey Kilgore wore oversized black Jason Wu Collection for the Los Angeles premiere of 'Respect' on August 8. AFP -
Jodie Comer wore Emporio Armani for the London premiere of 'Free Guy' on August 9. WireImage -
Jhene Aiko wore a caped Iris van Herpen gown for the premiere of 'Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings' on August 16. Getty Images -
Jennifer Hudson wore black and gold Dolce & Gabbana to perform at the We Love NYC: The Homecoming Concert on August 21. Reuters -
Simu Liu in a burgundy Grayscale suite on the red carpet at the London premiere of 'Shang-Chi' on August 26. AP -
Jennifer Lopez wore intricately detailed Dolce & Gabbana to attend the brand's Alta Moda show on August 29 in Venice. Getty Images -
Dame Helen Mirren wore regal gold Dolce & Gabbana to attend the brand's Alta Moda show on August 29 in Venice. Getty Images
As summer drew to a close, the fashion highlight was brought by Dolce & Gabbana, who had celebrities flock to Venice, Italy for their Alta Moda show at the end of the month. Jennifer Lopez and Helen Mirren turned heads in their regal, embellished gowns in particular.
Earlier in the month, the Shang-Chi premieres brought stunning fashion moments care of Simu Liu, who is proving himself as one of the best dressed men in Hollywood, and Jhene Aiko.
September
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Zendaya wore custom Balmain for the 'Dune' red carpet during the during the 78th Venice International Film Festival on September 3, 2021 in Venice, Italy. Getty Images -
Dakota Johnson wore shimmering silver Gucci to attend the 'The Lost Daughter' premiere during the 78th Venice International Film Festival on September 3, 2021 in Venice, Italy. Getty Images -
Jessica Chastain wore sequinned red Atelier Versace for the 'Competencia Oficial' premiere during the 78th Venice International Film Festival on September 4, 2021 in Venice, Italy. Getty Images -
Kate Hudson wore a red Valentino gown the 'Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon' premiere during the 78th Venice International Film Festival on September 5. AP -
Zendaya wore deep purple Alaia for a 'Dune' photocall in Paris on September 6, 2021. Getty Images -
Jennifer Lopez wore white Georges Hobeika to attend the 'The Last Duel' premiere with Ben Affleck during the 78th Venice International Film Festival on September 10, 2021. Getty Images -
Camila Cabello wore clashing pink and red Alexis Mabille for the 2021 MTV Video Music Awards on September 12, 2021. AFP -
Iman wore gold Dolce & Gabbana for the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Gala on September 13, 2021. Reuters -
Emily Blunt wore Miu Miu for the 2021 Met Gala. AFP -
Timothee Chalamet wore white Haider Ackermann for the 2021 Met Gala. EPA -
Yara Shahidi wore green Dior to attend the 73rd Primetime Emmy Awards on September 19, 2021. AFP -
Michaela Coel wore neon yellow Christopher John Rogers at the 73rd Primetime Emmy Awards. Reuters -
Britain's Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge wore a gold Jenny Packham gown to attend the premiere of James Bond film 'No Time To Die' with Prince William, Duke of Cambridge on September 28, 2021. EPA
The ninth month of the year was certainly a chic one, between the Met Gala in New York, the 73rd Primetime Emmy Awards and Venice International Film Festival.
Zendaya’s promotional tour for Dune started in full force and she looks so good she makes the monthly round-up twice, while Emily Blunt and Iman stood out at the Met Gala.
Honourable mentions go to Yara Shahidi, who looked princess-perfect in a classic Dior prom dress, and actual princess the Duchess of Cambridge, who made headlines in a gold Jenny Packham gown for the No Time To Die premiere.
October
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Tessa Thompson wore a slip style Rodarte gown for the premiere of 'Passing' during the 59th New York Film Festival on October 3, 2021. Getty Images -
Amal Clooney wore white 16Arlington to attend the UK premiere of 'The Tender Bar' with George Clooney during the BFI London Film Festival on October 10. EPA -
Sophie Hunter wore orange Roksanda for the 'The Power Of The Dog' UK premiere during the 65th BFI London Film Festival on October 11. Getty Images -
Dakota Johnson wore sequinned Gucci to attend the screening of 'The Lost Daughter' during the BFI London Film Festival on October 13. EPA -
Zendaya wore a white sequinned Rick Owens column gown to attend the UK special screening of 'Dune' on October18. EPA -
Gal Gadot wore a bright pink Saint Laurent dress to attend Elle's 27th Annual Women In Hollywood Celebration on October 19. AFP -
Jennifer Hudson wore a white Ralph Lauren suit to attend Elle's 27th Annual Women In Hollywood Celebration on October 19. AFP -
Lucy Hale wore a Versace suit and pink top to attend Elle's 27th Annual Women In Hollywood Celebration on October 19. Reuters -
Angelina Jolie wore Atelier Versace for the 'Eternals' premiere during the 16th Rome Film Festival 2021 on October 24. Getty Images -
Anya Taylor-Joy wore metallic Christian Dior for the 'Last Night in Soho' premiere in Los Angeles on October 25. AFP -
Kristen Stewart wore sheer Chanel to attend the Los Angeles premiere of 'Spencer' on October 26. AFP -
Gemma Chan wore a hooded Zuhair Murad two-piece for the 'Eternals' UK premiere on October 27. Getty Images
The international press tour for Dune charged on, with more stylish looks from Zendaya to be celebrated in October.
The Eternals press tour also saw Angelina Jolie make a red-carpet return and Gemma Chan dazzled in a number of looks, particularly a sparkling hooded Zuhair Murad two-piece in London.
November
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Gillian Anderson wore red floral Valentino at the Fashion Trust Arabia awards ceremony at the National Museum of Qatar in Doha on November 3, 2021. AFP -
Elle Fanning wore sheer black Gucci for the 10th annual LACMA Art+Film gala in Los Angeles, California on November 6. AFP -
Hailey Bieber wore white Saint Laurent for the 10th annual LACMA Art+Film gala in Los Angeles on November 6. AFP -
Zendaya wore a red Vera Wang two-piece to attend the 2021 CFDA Fashion Awards on November 10. AFP -
Lady Gaga wore red Atelier Versace for a 'House Of Gucci' photocall on November 13 in Milan. Getty Images -
Rita Ora wore black Jean-Louis Sabaji to attend the MTV EMAs 2021 Music for ALL event on November 14 in Budapest. Getty Images -
Elle Fanning wore metallic Balmain for the 6th annual InStyle Awards in Los Angeles on November 15. Reuters -
Jared Leto wore a pink satin three-piece tuxedo to attend the Los Angeles premiere of 'House Of Gucci' on November 18. AFP -
Scarlett Johansson wore white Atelier Versace to speak onstage during the 35th Annual American Cinematheque Awards on November 18. AFP -
Sofia Carson wore sequinned and feathered Zuhair Murad Couture for the Latin Grammy Awards in Las Vegas on November 18. EPA -
Yvonne Orji wore a full yellow Nicole + Felicia Couture gown for the 2021 International Emmy Awards in New York on November 22. EPA -
Gabrielle Union wore neon yellow Valentino for the Fashion Awards 2021 in London on November 29, 2021. EPA -
Britain's Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge, wears a sparkly green column dress to attend the Royal Variety Performance at the Royal Albert Hall in London on November 18. Reuters
In November, Elle Fanning gave Gothic style a run with a striking sheer black Gucci look and a statement chain-style Balmain later in the month.
Naturally, London's Fashion Awards 2021 brought in a stylish crowd, with Gabrielle Union arguably best dressed, while the House of Gucci's run of red carpet premieres brought chic looks from both Gaga and Jared Leto.
The Crown's Gillian Anderson brought star style to the region, wearing a red floral Valentino gown to the Fashion Trust Arabia awards in Qatar in early December.
December
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Jennifer Lawrence wore shimmering Christian Dior to attend Netflix's 'Don't Look Up' premiere on December 5, 2021. AFP -
Tessa Thompson wore black leather Del Core for the 4th Annual Celebration of Black Cinema and Television on December 6 in Los Angeles. AFP -
Ana Isabelle wore red Zuhair Murad for the 'West Side Story' premiere on December 7. AFP -
Rachel Zegler wore a princess Elie Saab gown to attend the 'West Side Story' premiere on December 7. AFP -
Sarah Jessica Parker wore a grey Oscar de la Renta prom dress with a cape to attend the 'And Just Like That' premiere on December 8. AFP -
Jennifer Lopez wore grey Elie Saab for the Los Angeles premiere of 'The Tender Bar' on December 12. AFP -
Zendaya wore a sheer spiderweb Valentino gown for the 'Spider-Man: No Way Home' premiere in Los Angeles on December 13. EPA -
Deepika Padukone wore striking coral Michael Cinco Couture at the premiere of '83' during the Red Sea International Film Festival on December 15 in Jeddah. Getty Images -
Nicole Kidman wore green geometric Etro for the 'Being The Ricardos' premiere on December 15 in Sydney. Getty Images -
Priyanka Chopra Jonas wore a metallic Halpern gown for the 'The Matrix Resurrections' premiere on December 18 in San Francisco. AFP
As the year drew to a close, red carpet events showed no signs of slowing down.
Deepika Padukone wore a striking coral Michael Cinco Couture gown for the Red Sea International Film Festival premiere of 83, and fellow regional designer Elie Saab was represented by both Lopez and Rachel Zegler on The Tender Bar and West Side Story premieres, respectively.
It's December, so there has been shimmer to be found care of Priyanka Chopra Jonas in Halpern on The Matrix Resurrections premiere red carpet and Jennifer Lawrence in Dior, who made her pregnant debut when promoting Don't Look Up.
