A showstopping red carpet fashion moment is impossible to miss. It instantly elevates the profile of any celebrity and has the power to transform an up-and-comer into a household name. Luckily, the award season kicked off just before the coronavirus, and many major award shows adapted their red carpets throughout the year for a virtual audience.
We flipped through every single A-lister's outfit from the 2020 BRITS [1], BAFTA Awards [2], the Oscars [3], the National Television Awards [4], Golden Globes [5], NME Awards [6], Screen Actors Guild Awards [7], the Critic's Choice Awards [8], and the 2020 Venice Film Festival [9] to bring you the absolute best of British style.
A celebrity outfit that makes it into the "best dressed" ticks four main criteria: event appropriateness, experimentation, fit, and wow factor (a look that is simply unforgettable). It's also key to note that the idea of "best dressed" is extremely subjective, as it's also a reflection of the fashion trends of the time and the judge's personal preferences. There were quite a few celebrities who we absolutely love — like Laura Whitmore, Emilia Clarke, Naomi Campbell [10], and Dua Lipa — who have incredible style but just haven't given us a superstar moment this year. While Cynthia Erivo, Maya Jama, Florence Pugh, and Harry Styles delivered showstopping style all year long — with some help from their exceptional stylists.
Keep reading ahead for 13 of the best British fashion moments of 2020.
Maya Jama at the 2020 BRIT Awards
Soon after her breakup with rapper Stormzy, Maya Jama broke out her very own Princess Diana-esque revenge dress. Jama wore an Alonuko bespoke black velvet gown with Jimmy Choo accessories and Bvlgari jewels to the 2020 BRIT Awards [12]. Her gown encapsulated classic Hollywood glamour with contemporary sex appeal — perfect for the occasion.
Florence Pugh at the 2020 Vanity Fair Oscars Afterparty
As a young star still making her name in the industry, we expect a lot of youthful experimentation from Florence Pugh. The Little Women and Midsommar actor wore a surprisingly sexy Louis Vuitton look [13] that was more refined than the colourful, voluminous silk-satin gowns [14] she often chooses for the red carpet.
Jodie Turner-Smith at the 2020 BAFTA Awards
Jodie Turner-Smith's pregnancy glow paired with her gorgeous custom yellow Gucci gown [15] complemented her skin tone beautifully. Her outfit was so vivid, appropriate for the occasion, and fit so wonderfully that it's one of the best maternity red carpet looks we've ever seen.
Harry Styles at the 2020 BRIT Awards
A best dressed Brits list is never complete without Harry Styles's modern rock-star aesthetic. We love that Styles's personal style is so easily identifiable because it is a true reflection of his confident and fluid identity. The Fine Line singer continued his trendsetting reputation with a chocolate brown Gucci suit layered over a shirt with a broderie anglaise collar, a purple jumper, and a pair of Mary Janes — topping it off with a single strand of pearls.
Sophie Turner at the 2020 Screen Actors Guild Awards
Right before Sophie Turner announced her pregnancy with her and Joe Jonas [16]'s first child, she gave us this superstar fashion moment at the Screen Actors Guild Awards. The Game of Thrones alum's Barbie-pink Louis Vuitton dress perfectly teases the line between playful and elegant.
Jesy Nelson at the 2020 National Television Awards
Little Mix's Jesy Nelson's bespoke orange Suzanne Neville gown is not a usual contender for best dressed. To some, it might be a bit costumey and over-the-top, but as soon as she rocked this gown, she definitely commanded attention from us and the rest of the internet. Although this look was incredibly sexy, it was tailored to perfection. The colour was vibrant, there was an aspect of experimentation, and she was absolutely dressed like the pop star she is — a win from us!
Gillian Anderson at the 2020 Golden Globe Awards
Gillian Anderson, who stars in The Crown and Sex Education, wore this simple and elegant white dress designed by London brand Safiyaa, which is a favourite of Meghan Markle [17] and we can see why. The Golden Globes definitely suggests a more classic, traditional Hollywood aesthetic, and Anderson's minimal white dress with a twist complements both the occasion and her sophisticated media presence. You would never guess that she is 5'2" in that lenghthening silhouette!
Cynthia Erivo at the 2020 Vanity Fair Oscars Party
Cynthia Erivo is one of the best dressed Brits of 2020. There were so many great fashion moments from the multi-award winning actor this year that it was impossible to pick just one. The lilac and aquamarine Atelier Versace gown that Erivo wore to the Vanity Fair Oscars Party is one of our favourite looks from the star. After being nominated for Best Actress and Best Song at the Oscars, this was a perfect, fun, and lively dress to celebrate such major achievements without being too over-the-top.
FKA Twigs at the 2020 NME Awards
Ok, hear us out — FKA Twigs's style might not be for everyone but that's exactly why she needs to be on the best dressed list. Only Twigs could pull off such an unusual, pirate-chic outfit. The red carpet at music award shows, like the NME Awards, are made for uniquely memorable outfits that show an artist's personality — and the artistry of this outfit is in the colour palette. The green fuzzy hat playing off the red tips of her faux locs, and the yellow cuffs of the outfit give a slightly Caribbean-vibe without trying too hard.
Naomi Ackie at the 2020 BAFTA Awards
Naomi Ackie's chartreuse Valentino gown with that caped shoulder detail is a look that lives in our minds rent free. It's a great example of an elegant, modest gown with a beautiful colour that speaks for itself. The shade of green is like a very grown up version of the trendy slime green that has become the unofficial colour of contemporary street style — and my oh my, does Valentino's creative director Pierpaolo Piccioli know how to create a stunning, modern evening gown.
Mabel at the 2020 BRIT Awards
It's almost like Mabel wore this opulent red Moschino gown knowing she was going to win the award for Best Female Solo Artist and the 2020 BRITs. From head-to-toe, the up-and-coming singer's outfit was perfection. The scarlet red, strapless sweetheart gown is a classic glamour silhouette, while the sequins elevate it to the level of a rising star accepting one of her first major music awards.
Emma Corrin at the 2020 British Vogue and Tiffany & Co. Fashion and Film Party
Emma Corrin [18] in this three-piece suit is pure class. The Crown actor might be new to the red carpet circuit, but with this smart Celine menswear suit at the British Vogue BAFTA afterparty, she showed us that she has a serious respect for smart tailoring — and is open to more androgynous silhouettes going forward.
Cynthia Erivo at the 2020 Critics' Choice Awards
Erivo's style is far too good for only one feature on this list. The multi-talented Harriet actor wore this sunning Fendi mosaic organza gown with puff sleeves that is arguably one of the most beautiful creations we have ever seen. The gown brings equal amounts of drama and artistry to the red carpet — so who better to wear it than an actor who has won a Grammy, Tony, and Theatre World Award.