Style Dos and Don’ts Of 2012
From fabulous frocks to red carpet roadkill, we covered it all in 2012. Street Style fails? Red carpet dreams? Party horrors? Yes, yes and yes! Here's our round-up of the best, worst and downright craziest A-list looks of the year
PA PhotosDO #1: Florence Welch at the Britain Creates party, June
We said: "Looking positively demure, Florence Welch reaches for another opulent long evening gown - this time, by British designer Julian Macdonald. DO balance out a dramatic dress with less-is-more make-up and a pop of lippie."
Rex FeaturesDON’T #1: Bonnie Wright at the Cannes Film Festival, May
We said: "DON’T underplay it. Should you ever find yourself invited to a world premiere-type event packed with international press, perhaps you might want to rethink wearing your slippers. Yes, Bonnie Wright: we’re looking at you."
PA PhotosDO #2: Kate Middleton at the Lucian Freud Portraits opening, February
We said: "DO keep it classy and quintessentially English in winter woollens like the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton. Dress coats are the way forward! We'll be on the lookout for a flattering, full-skirted number just like this one, which is by high street label Jesire."
PA PhotosDON’T #2: Dakota Fanning out and about in New York, March
We said: "Military influences are going to be huge for autumn/winter 2012, so a jacket like Dakota Fanning's is a must-buy. DON’T style it like this, with summery separates, though - go for a sharper, sleeker look."
PA PhotosDO #3: Chloe Moretz at the Dark Shadows LA premiere, May
We said: "What with a new movie (in which she stars alongside Johnny Depp) coming out and a killer red carpet wardrobe, Chloe Moretz is scoring DOs left, right and centre!"
Getty ImagesDON’T #3: Paloma Faith out and about in London, September
We said: "DON’T co-ordinate your dress with your dental upkeep! Wethinks Paloma Faith's dedication to the Midas touch has gone a tad too far with the addition of a gold tooth."
Rex FeaturesDO #4: Keira Knightley at the Anna Karenina London premiere, September
We said: "Chanel Couture for a film premiere? How many times can we say DO? Keira Knightley looks just stunning in this fishtail peach gown (plus, she has Rupert Sanderson heels beneath, lucky gal). Wonder whether she got any wedding dress inspiration while she was rifling the rails...?"
Rex FeaturesDON'T #4: Lady Gaga at LAX airport, July
We said: "DON’T forget to put on your skirt. We're not sure even Lady Gaga pulls off this extreme underwear-as-outerwear look - especially at the airport!"
PA PhotosDO #5: Carey Mulligan at the London Critics' Circle Film Awards, January
We said: "Carey Mulligan's style cred has gone into overdrive of late! Watch, learn and DO liven up your look with unexpected colour combinations. This Roland Mouret dress paired with blue YSL heels has the wow factor in spades."
Rex FeaturesDON'T #5: Penelope Cruz at the Venuto Al Mondo Rome premiere, September
We said: "This outfit had so much potential - after all, it is vintage Versace - but, alas, that style of hair with that shape of dress puts us in mind of stepping out of the shower and thus adds up to a DON’T in our style book. Sorry, Penelope!"
Rex FeaturesDO #6: Lily Collins at the Cartier Juste Un Clou party, April
We said: "DO meet strong, masculine looks head-on in a frilly shirt, awesomely cut suit and dramatic make-up. Lily Collins looks just incredible in Dolce & Gabbana here."
PA PhotosDON'T #6: Madonna at a fitness club launch in Moscow, August
We said: "Sorry, Madonna. We're all for 'expressing ourselves' but this outfit takes the erotica theme two struts too far. (See what we did there?) It's a DON’T!"
Rex FeaturesDO #7: Alexa Chung at a Chanel Fine Jewellery party, October
We said: "DO unleash your inner girlie girl in soft pink hues and flower embellishments. We have serious wardrobe envy right now, Alexa Chung, and it's all your fault."
PA PhotosDON'T #7: Ali Larter at the Bachelorette LA premiere, August
We said: "Yes, Ali Larter can pull this daring look off - that's not in question. We just DON’T like it. Looking at her top hurts our eyes."
Rex FeaturesDO #8: Emma Watson at The Perks Of Being A Wallflower LA premiere, September
We said: "Our cover girl, Emma Watson, strikes fashion gold once again in a stunning Giorgio Armani lace dress deftly accessorised with little other than rouge lips and understated sandals. A DO to remember!"
GettyDON'T #8: Angelina Jolie at the Oscars, February
We said: "Here's a cautionary tale. Girl spends hours getting ready to go out - great dress, great hair, you know the score - and then manages to sabotage it all by being a massive poseur. It happened to Angelina Jolie. DON’T let it happen to you."
Getty ImagesDO #9: Marion Cotillard at an event at Claridge's Hotel, November
We said: "Marion's been on a Christian Dior hot-streak - and if ain't broke... DO find a label that works for you and stock up on it."
Rex FeaturesDON'T #9: Katy Perry at the Part Of Me Tokyo film premiere, September
We said: "We're all for dreamy prints, but be aware that the wrong accessory choices can make or break an outfit. As in, DON’T forget to add some. Who knew Katy Perry was such a minimalist?"
Rex FeaturesDO #10: Sarah Jessica Parker at the NYC Ballet's Valentino event, September
We said: "DO make the most of a black tie invitation and let your imagination run riot. Flowers in your hair? Why ever not? SJP looks a dream in her fairytale Valentino dress here."
Rex FeaturesDON'T #10: Shailene Woodley at the Red Lights New York premiere, June
We said: "Oh, Shailene. We know you're a kook, and we really do rate your penchant for experimenting, wardrobe-wise, but hitting a party without drying your hair before you leave the house is always going to get you a DON’T from us."
Rex FeaturesDO #11: Kristen Stewart at the Toronto Film Festival, September
We said: "Kristen Stewart's first official public appearance since that scandal broke was always going to be a sartorial minefield to navigate. Well, someone give this girl some kudos, because she has pulled it off. This embroidered lace cocktail dress from Zuhair Murad's autumn/winter 2012 Couture line wasn't a safe choice, but it is on the subtle side of sexy (note how she's covered up those amazing legs), while the black Jimmy Choo heels are a simple and chic accent. It's 100% a DO from us."
Rex FeaturesDON'T #11: Amy Adams at The Late Show studios, August
We said: "DON’T think that throwing on a block-colour dress and pair of booties will automatically win you style kudos. Yes, in theory, it'll work - but this pairing is doing no favours to Amy Adams' figure."
PA PhotosDO #12: Diane Kruger at the Farewell My Queen Berlin photocall, February
We said: "DO dress outside of the box and leave your comfort zone behind once in a while. Diane Kruger is very good at doing just this - we can never predict what she'll wear next, so this 10 Crosby Derek Lam outfit was a pleasant surprise."
PA PhotosDON'T #12: AnnaLynne McCord at the 5th annual Hollywood Domino Gala, February
We said: "Be careful that you DON’T step into the trap of ruining a perfectly good outfit by adding one look-at-me accessory too many. You know what we're talking about here, AnnaLynne McCord..."
WennDO #13: Jessica Alba out and about in LA, May
We said: "DO follow Jessica Alba's confident style lead and opt for mix-and-match sundae shades to ensure you're bang on trend for spring. Love!"
Rex FeaturesDON'T #13: Sarah Jessica Parker out and about in New York, November
We said: "Mixing prints is big for autumn/winter, as SJP well knows - so we give her props for that. But DON’T choose outerwear that could double as a sleeping bag. Like her, you'll get lost in the oversized silhouette."
Rex FeaturesDO #14: Emma Stone at The Amazing Spider-Man Madrid premiere, June
We said: "Wow - what a dress, Emma Stone! DO, DO, DO combine decadent lace and florals with a figure-illuminating print, as seen on this gorgeous Dolce & Gabbana number."
Rex FeaturesDON'T #14: Pixie Lott at the Battleship world premiere, April
We said: "DON’T over-accessorise a statement LBD. Pixie Lott's stunning Dolce & Gabbana lace minidress would have looked perfect without the pasta-shell necklaces. We adore her dramatic quiff and pop of orange lip colour, though."
Rex FeaturesDO #15: Miranda Kerr out and about in New York, November
We said: "DO be wary when pairing over-the-knee boots with a mini hemline - it's easy to err on the OTT. Fortunately, style pro Miranda Kerr pulls it off thanks to an ultra-luxe coat, oversized bag and statement sunnies."
Rex FeaturesDON'T #15: Rihanna at Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour opening night, January
We said: "When it comes to pimping your biker jacket, exercise caution. Even on Rihanna, this printed, studded, epauletted creation looks a bit... Well, much. And DON’T even get us started on wearing sunglasses indoors. At night. Let's just chalk this one up to experience, shall we?"
Rex FeaturesDO #16: Katy Perry at the Spirit of Life Awards in LA, June
We said: "DO take your wardrobe on a blast to the past and revive the Gatsby era. Wearing a 20s flapper dress, long pearls and an ornate headband, it's a stunning look Katy Perry. PS Smouldering eye makeup is a major DO, too."
Rex FeaturesDON'T #16: Dianna Agron out and about in LA, May
We said: "We DON’T recommend copying Dianna Agron's spring outfit. This high-waisted skirt (with a so-90s pattern), white sunnies and faded jacket look like fashion mash rather than fashion mix."
Getty ImagesDO #17: Michelle Williams at the Oscars, February
We said: "From the pink-red clash to the on-trend peplum to the divine texture on this Louis Vuitton dress, Michelle Williams' beautiful, beautiful Oscars look is all kinds of DO. One of the best of the season, hands down."
Rex FeaturesDON'T #17: Katie Holmes on the street in New York, March
We said: "Sorry, Katie, but this try-hard ensemble deserves only one word. DON’T."
WennDO #18: Gwen Stefani out and about in New York, July
We said: "When wearing head-to-toe leopard print, be sure to own it. As Gwen Stefani knows, a high maintenance make-up look will DO the trick!"
Rex FeaturesDON'T #18: Eliza Doolittle at the Claire's for Unicef launch in London, November
We said: "We know you're proud of your abs, Eliza, and we really DON’T blame you - but in November? With Hammer pants? And a rainbow faux fur gilet? Really?"
PA PhotosDO #19: Rita Ora at the MOBO Awards 2012, November
We said: "Floral appliqué was a hit on the catwalk last season. DO make like Rita Ora, wearing McQ Alexander McQueen, and go full bloom with your fashion."
Rex FeaturesDON'T #19: Katherine Heigl out and about in LA, April
We said: "DON’T think that an outfit will look good just because it's colour co-ordinated. Katherine Heigl may look gorgeous no matter what she wears but this is not a good fashion moment for the star."
Rex FeaturesDO #20: Solange Knowles at the Runway To Win fundraiser for Barack Obama, February
We said: "We [b]DO[/i] think that Solange Knowles is giving big sister Beyoncé a real run for her money style-wise in this show-stopping, peplum-waisted gown by Vera Wang. In a word: wow."
Rex FeaturesDON'T #20: Kelly Brook out and about in London, August
We said: "Call us particular but we DON’T like mis-matching our handbags and luggage with a statement outfit! Kelly Brook's LV vanity case and tan leather tote jar with her ethnic-chic look here. Hey, if you're dedicated to aesthetics, then details matter!"
