This summer, we welcomed the return of Cannes [1], the Olympics [2], in-person performances, premieres, parties, and all the celebrity style that goes along with them. We saw a return to glamour, to dressing up, and to feeling all those feelings about fashion again — ahhh! We forgot how much we missed seeing Lady Gaga prowling the streets in platforms [3]; we celebrated newcomers, like Gossip Girl's Evan Mock [4] showing off his brand of skater-cum-fashion-pro; and we couldn't get enough of Lizzo [5]'s inimitable casual cool. There were moments we never saw coming — like a Bennifer reunion and J Lo's low-rise khakis, both of which had us feeling like it was 2002 again. Then, there were the ones we waited for: photos of Ariana Grande [6]'s surprise at-home wedding and her custom Vera Wang bridal gown.
It's impossible to pick favourites — to declare a best dressed — so we're not. Instead, we're celebrating the creative, the cool, the most memorable, superlative style. These are the celebs who left a lasting impression in all their unique ways, so we invented all the unique titles to commemorate their wild, wonderful, totally unforgettable fashion moments before we say our goodbyes to summer.
Here, check out our 25 favourite style stars of the season — including a special Readers' Choice — in our first-ever Summer Superlatives.
— Additional reporting by Sarah Wasilak
From her many campaigns, including for Puma and Versace [7], to her "Demeanour" music video [8] and summer performance at the BRIT Awards, Dua Lipa is always doing the most with her outfits. For her, more is more with full commitment to any role she's playing — whether on stage or merely hanging poolside. Every look is a fashion moment.
There are summer looks, and there are summer LOOKS, and Lady Gaga [9] is always serving the latter — humidity be damned! She spent the better part of the season turning the streets of NYC into her own personal runway, and we couldn't love her more for it. Gaga, never change.
It was an outfit nobody saw coming — and quite frankly, nobody could top. When Lizzo [10] stepped out in a shirt with her own face on it, our hearts skipped a beat. Who better to be your hype person than yourself, right?! File that under more lessons we've learned from this style icon. We heart you too, Lizzo!
Christina Clemons earned a gold medal in our eyes when she showed up to the Olympic Track Trials wearing a pair of earrings shaped like little bags of Doritos and sent the internet into a frenzy. The Olympics came and went, and here we are still talking about Christina and those earrings [11]. Not to get all 2000s on you, but she really is all that and a bag of chips!
If you missed Y2K trends [12] the first time around, Olivia Rodrigo [13] is here to inspire your second chance. The star's penchant for crochet, kitschy tees, pendant necklaces, belly-baring tops, and combat boots would make her the best dressed in any classroom, now or in 2006.
Making your mark on the red carpet is sometimes about doing your research. That's exactly what Zendaya and stylist Law Roach did with the look they put together for Zendaya's appearance at the BET Awards [14]. While paying homage to the dress Beyoncé wore for her first BET Awards, Zendaya gave us her own take on an iconic look in one of the most glamorous style moments of the summer. In short, she understood the assignment.
Is there anyone who can pull off a look like Rihanna [15]? With no regard for weather, season, or occasion, she commits to a look and makes it her own — then, she makes us all want to be wearing it, too. She'd rule the school with outfits like these.
Jennifer Lopez [16] reunited with her ex Ben Affleck [17], started wearing low-rise pants, and made us all believe it was 2002 again. Relationship status aside, we're always here for the nostalgic fashion. Thanks for the memories, Bennifer.
In a sea of black tuxedos at Cannes, Timothée Chalamet was the metallic-suited man [18] of our dreams, right down to the well-accessorised tips of his fingers. He went for silver and just about won the whole damn red carpet with this one.
When Tyler the Creator showed up to the BET Awards, he left no accessory behind. It's a look that said "I'm here for the fashion" — and incidentally, so are we.
The bag on everyone's wish list was suddenly on Beyoncé's arm [19] as she made her way around NYC this summer. Telfar stans were torn — how can we secure the bag now?! If Queen Bey's got the bag, you can rest assured everyone else will want one. Regardless of whether you've got one or not, it's Queen Bey's "secure the bag" energy we can all aspire to.
Causing whiplash on the red carpet is just another night for Lil Nas X, whose iconic looks range from embroidered suiting to jaw-dropping ballgown. But the wow factor doesn't stop there. The statement-making Andrea Grossi gown [20] he wore to the BET Awards paid homage to Black culture, sparking important cultural conversations.
Motherhood looks good on Gigi Hadid, who aced the dress code in a pair of bedazzled "mom jeans" — because moms can wear anything they want to.
You'd never know it was Mj Rodriguez's first time at Cannes [21]. The Pose star owned the red carpet in a shimmering Etro gown that came complete with a hood and megawatt jewels that left us in awe.
She coined the phrase, so you know she's living the life. Still, this summer may have been Megan Thee Stallion's hottest on record. The artist broke the internet with her Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue cover [22] and sent us all in search of a place to cool down.
Miley Cyrus [23]'s summer 2021 partnership with Gucci came with an important message when she showed up to host a free Pride concert [24] for the LGBTQ+ community swathed in rainbow paillette sequins. "I'm gonna keep fighting for us — for our community that we treasure and hold so dear — and while I do it, Imma be in Gucci," she said of her incredible look, which came with the gloves to match.
Evan Mock [25] is well-known as a skateboarder, photographer, and model, but with his acting stint on the expectedly stylish Gossip Girl reboot [26], he now has the fashion industry in awe. And there he was toting his Gucci messenger bag at the premiere [27].
Ariana Grande [28] stood by her dream wedding dress [29], which was inspired by Audrey Hepburn's iconic Funny Face character, Jo Stockton, from the get-go. She tapped Vera Wang for the job — a collaboration that had reportedly been in the works since the 2018 Met Gala — and went all out with her bridal look, even if she did tie the knot at home.
Somewhere between championing mental health [30] with a meaningful essay and lighting the Olympic cauldron [31] at the Tokyo Games this summer, tennis star Naomi Osaka celebrated a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover [32] and cemented her status as Louis Vuitton brand ambassador with an incredible runway look at the ESPY Awards [33], where she took home the prize for best athlete. One thing's for sure: we're looking forward to a Louis Vuitton fashion house powered by Naomi's strength and grace.
Yara Shahidi [34] spent the summer promoting her new season of Grown-ish [35] and rocking her colourful Adidas collab [36] all around town. She also became Dior's global ambassador and did it all in a rainbow's worth of outfits styled by longtime stylist Jason Bolden.
Bella Hadid brought her signature sexy flair to Cannes this season, opting for a no-neckline Schiaparelli look [37] that incorporated a brass necklace as the only coverage for her chest. When it came to summer red carpet moments, this is the one that left us breathless.
Chloe Bailey's athleisure looks brought major sex appeal to our feeds this summer. From cutout bodysuits [38] to a palm-print matching set [39] and bright orange leggings [40] on the red carpet, the star made her feel-good, body-conscious outfits seem like a really good idea. Some would even say the mesh Valentino gown [41] and bikini she wore to the BET Awards were the sporty lead-up to it all.
Ciara's swim drawer has always been well-stocked, but this summer, she teamed up a strappy animal- print bikini [42] with a pink, marble-effect maillot [43] for the win. We won't forget how enamoured we were of her poolside style this year.
No offence to her partner, Michael B. Jordan, but Lori Harvey's date-night style [44] is a step above — and it's not just because of her heel height. After kicking off the summer in a slinky gold Prada number and satin stilettos, she went on to wear a printed Attico minidress [45] with caged Bottega Veneta heels, prompting Michael to comment, "Sheeeeeeesh!!" Coach model he may be, but Lori just cemented her own fashion prowess [46].
We asked — you answered! Daphne Bridgerton [47] beat out the onscreen competition from Gossip Girl [48], Generation, Outer Banks [49], Grown-ish, and Never Have I Ever [50], taking the title of the Celeb You'd Most Like to Go Shopping With. We have to agree; an afternoon poring over looks at Modiste while gossiping with Daphne sounds pretty delightful. Can we come, too?
