Best Dressed Celebrities of 2012: Cate Blanchett, Rose Byrne, Jessica Chastain and Florence Welch

There were many moments when we knew Cate Blanchett was a fashion star. Perhaps it was her effortless take on Katherine Hepburn in the Leonardo DiCaprio movie ‘The Aviator’. Or perhaps it was when she turned up at a Louis Vuitton in Sydney, Australia event wearing an effortless Louis Vuitton floral pattern dress. But for me, the true moment that Cate Blanchett shined was that fashion-forward Givenchy couture dress for the 2011 Oscars. She looked like she was wearing a painting. Since then, I was a little surprised to see Cate in more urban print looks such as Rodarte, Petter Pilotto and Givenchy for her recent movie premieres and Antonio Berardi Resort 2013 worn as it was seen on the runway as she continued her tour. There’s something about Cate Blanchett that just surprises you – she can do delicate and feminine but she can also do fashion-forward and futuristic! Yet, she still keeps it age appropriate. She’s not conventionally beautiful but she’s even more unconventionally stylish. That’s why she’s one of the best-dressed of 2012.

This year, Rose Byrne (of Bridesmaids fame) has really come into her own. For me, she can certainly be considered as the best dressed star of New York Fashion Week Spring 2013, when she showed up at the Jill Stuart show in a risque black lace dress with skirt and suspender-like straps. It fit her perfectly. In fact, most of Byrne’s clothes, no matter how risque or how unique, tend to fit her perfectly. When she goes for colorblocking trends, it works. And yes, when she goes for sequins, whether one-strap Vivienne Westwood (as seen in the photo above) or an extremely low-cut Elie Saab jumpsuit, it somehow, blessedly, works too. Because she’s one of the few that can make it look good.

Jessica Chastain is definitely the breakout fashion star of 2012! Sure, she came out as a force to be reckoned with in 2011 with her supporting actress role in ‘The Help’ and suddenly she was turning up everywhere (getting her Oscars nomination during an Armani fashion show, natch) but in 2012, this style chick really came into her own. Quotes from her stylist say that she prefers European designers, but she looks just as good dolled up in Jason Wu or Prabal Gurung. Lately, she favors Yves Saint Laurent and the new Saint Laurent Paris, for its chic, not over-the-top appeal. Although she too, has gone risque in some ways…and most of the time (but not always), it works. Like this bright blue Elie Saab ensemble with sheer top that looks simply divine, albeit risk taking.

There must be something more than beauty about Florence Welch. After all, Gucci was inspired to create the tour ensembles for this woman and her band this year. In fact, if Florence herself, didn’t stand out in the crowd fashion-wise, there would be no reason that anyone should take notice. Her unique, vintage-inspired fashion got all of us to try on that print jacket we wouldn’t have otherwise pieced into our outfits, or to go out in a tight fitting jumpsuit that we may never have worn. This flame-haired lady has worn lots of lacy dresses, bold green and mustard colors and ruffles, animal print, and leather galore, never thinking twice about mixing fabrics, but always knowing the right way to style even the strangest pieces.

Cate Blanchett: People.com Rose Byrne: Fabsugar.com Jessica Chastain: Cocoperez.com Florence Welch: Marie Claire UK

– Simona Kogan