Best Dressed

The fashion crowd gathered in the French city of Arles last night for the Gucci Cruise ’19 presentation, a dazzling spectacle of the gothic and the glamorous in an ancient Roman necropolis. And while passions were ignited by the dramatic pieces on the flaming catwalk, the guests looked equally as impressive. Street-style favorite Susie Lau chose a sheer floral dress with a sweeping train, and injected it with her signature dash of irreverence by layering a jeweled bra over the top. The long leather boots were a red-hot finishing touch.

Is an ’80s-inspired shell track jacket ever appropriate for evening? It is when it’s a sparkling Gucci number like this one worn by Malian-French singer Inna Modja. A masterclass in modern after-dark styling.

From the hot-right-now hue to the button-up pockets on the skirt, fashion stylist Tina Leung’s sequined Gucci dress was giving us heart eyes at the label’s Cruise ’19 show.

Nicole Kidman sparkled in Givenchy at the American Songbook Gala last night. Note: sequins look chic when the dress shape is demure.

Offset the frothy nature of tulle with a piece of simple tailoring, like Bella Hadid’s perfectly fitted black waistcoat.

Aussie Shannon Thomas nails high/low dressing with a simple Petar Petrov shirt, a dramatic red skirt and classic Nike Air Max sneakers.

City blue worn with rusty tan is our new favorite color combination. Actress Nathalie Kelley earns extra points for those statement sleeves.

Singer and actress Rainie Yang subverted the plethora of dresses at the Louis Vuitton Cruise 2019 show in France with this modern take on tailoring. The sports influence adds energy to serious suiting.

Tonal dressing is the key to elevating basic separates. Model Tina Kunakey is cool in khaki at the weekend’s Dior Cruise 2019 show.

Black leather in a New York summer? Lady Gaga proves what we’ve been saying all season – leather is an all-weather option.

Thandie Newton continues her golden streak of red-carpet looks in this dreamy dress by LA-based design duo Rodarte. From the tiered ruffles to the floral embellishment, it’s nothing less than a work of art. Heavenly.

Perennial style pin-up Sienna Miller brings the boho look up to speed in this chic Chloé dress. The modern mules are just the right finishing touch.

British actress Natalie Dormer makes the case for after-hours suiting at the LA premiere of her new movie In Darkness. Forget the corporate connotations: from the structured blazer layered over sheer lace to the ’70s-inspired wide-leg pants, this look is all about high-octane glamour.

Anne Hathaway stays one step ahead in the style stakes by championing ’70s style – one of FW18’s biggest trends – an entire season early. Her retro pussy-bow blouse and A-line skirt combo are giving us serious Mad Men vibes.

The Duchess of Sussex tapped into not one but two of SS18’s biggest trends for her first royal engagement since marrying HRH Prince Harry. Pastel shades and sheer fabrics are set to dominate this season, and the newly-minted member of the royal family proved her sartorial prowess by championing both.

The stars and stripes. The straight-leg jeans. The Western accessories. Kendall Jenner puts a patriotic spin on model-off-duty style and channels SS18’s frontier spirit in this of-the-moment look. It’s not her first time at the rodeo.

Former PorterEdit cover star Andreea Diaconu never plays it safe with her style, and this playful outfit is no exception. From the second-skin dress, complete with riotous print and sultry lace panel, to her feathery party feet, let this look serve as a reminder that getting dressed should be fun.

Model Hailey Baldwin channels ’80s excess and takes the classic debutante dress up a notch in patent leather. Far from dialling down the drama with understated accessories, Baldwin went high-octane by adding crystal-encrusted stilettos, hoop earrings and a scrunchie.

Original ‘Super’ Amber Valletta makes the case for ’90s minimalism in this striking evening look. Consider her masterful combination of barely-there sandals, delicate jewelry and figure-hugging slip dress your new blue print for effortless party style.

A little black dress and point-toe pumps may be fashion fail-safes, but with the simple addition of a leather biker jacket and round sunglasses, Emilia Clarke instantly elevates her look from simple to standout. Bow down.

Channeling the season’s sensual ’70s mood, Olivia Palermo has us green with envy over her flared velvet pant suit. The plunging lace bodysuit and feline diamond pendant keep it fierce.

Now this is how to have fun with fashion: actress Olivia Munn rocks palm trees, polka dots and pinstripes from head to toe in an artful print mashup.

Comedian and actress Jenny Slate let her Rebecca Vallance gown speak for itself at the premiere of Hotel Artemis, by opting for delicate drop earrings, pared-back makeup and a simple low ponytail.

Wearing a ruffled red number by Johanna Ortiz, actress Bryce Dallas Howard was feeling the flamenco vibes at the Madrid premiere of Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom.

While no one outshone the beautiful bride Meghan Markle at her wedding to Prince Harry on Saturday, there were some impeccably well-dressed guests at the ceremony in St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle. Here are PORTER’s picks…

How to wear the utility jumpsuit perfectly? Take note from this Australian Fashion Week show-goer. The ochre rollneck is a genius touch.

Kate Waterhouse is a regular fixture on Best Dressed this week, yet to put a heel out of place during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia. So many great ideas at play here: sharp black corset top over a chunky patterned sweater; cargo pants given a smarter spin thanks to ankle ties and contrasted with an uber-luxe croc-effect clutch; and all bottomed off with animal-print stilettos.

The logo is loud and proud this season, and never more so than with Balenciaga’s deconstructed dress. Fashion entrepreneur Holly Titheridge pairs hers with the label’s triangle clutch and instant-update retro shades.

Chloé’s Rylee boots in black lend a cool utility feel to this beautiful flighty dress, while the fringed handbag says all-out glamour. We’re getting mixed messages and we like it. A lot.

The model army were out in force last night to celebrate the premiere of Solo: A Star Wars Story. Everything about Toni Garrn’s appearance is enviable, from the Roberto Cavalli dress that caresses her curves to the cascading earrings, swept-back hair and bronze eyeshadow. In a galaxy of her own.

This dress would look entirely different worn with wedge heels, a bare décolletage and a basket bag, which is exactly why it’s such a genius buy. And why the old adage, ‘it’s not what you wear, it’s the way you wear it’, is irrefutable.

Another top-under-dress trick, but this one is altogether more whimsical, care of the subtly puffed sleeves and delicate buttons. The lesson? Try layering even the most unexpected pieces beneath your strappy dresses.

Model Steph Claire Smith keeps things in check at Australian Fashion Week in Sydney. Like a palette cleanser between courses, consider white your risk-free way to tackle an all-over print.

It’s a pencil skirt, prim and proper in every way. Except it’s black vinyl, which makes it deliciously subversive. Let’s call it being fashion fluid. Aussie insider Kate Waterhouse makes the mix even more interesting with a frou-frou denim jacket and embellished Gucci bag, topped off with of-the-moment Matrix-style shades.

As this year’s President of the Cannes Film Festival jury, Cate Blanchett brought together a group of incredible women (and a few good men) to judge the entries. She also brought – with the help of her brilliant stylist, Elizabeth Stewart – a wardrobe of incredible gowns and suits, of which this Givenchy number by Clare Waight Keller is one of our favorites.

The legendary Jane Fonda still showing us all how it’s done in elegant head-to-toe white tailoring.

Diane Kruger snagged herself a pair of Chloé’s coveted Rylee boots, which we love even more now we’ve seen her wear them with this super-sweet dress and black beret.

Model Victoria Lee mixes pure white (with bonus puffed sleeve) with vampish black in a modern Victoriana masterclass.

How to wear the revived Burberry check? With striped wide-leg pants and a clashing check accessory à la Yan Yan Chan at Mercedes-Benz Australian Fashion Week.

Australian fashion insider Kate Waterhouse demonstrates that great style is often about pairing up the unexpected. The camel and check coat sits perfectly with a super-feminine lace skirt, prim shirt and buckled black boots.

Penélope Cruz’s little black Chanel dress is proof that you don’t need to go floor-length to still bring the drama – the lace train adds the requisite film festival glamour.

With the button-up waistcoat and wide-leg tailored pants, this look could have veered into Miami Vice territory. Model Malgosia Bela avoids that with effortless, I-woke-up-like-this hair and subtle gold jewelry. Flawless.

Carey Mulligan flies the flag for simple, elegant red-carpet style in a pleated column gown by Dior. Her sleek up-do and red lip make the overall effect immaculate.

Nothing stands out more on the red carpet quite like a floor-sweeping yellow gown. With its peekaboo lace panels, graduated train and plunging bodice, model Leomie Anderson’s dress ensures all eyes are on her at Cannes.

Dressed in an of-the-moment pastel pantsuit and chic white boots, Cate Blanchett was ready to get down to business as jury president at the Cannes Film Festival yesterday.

Recognize Cate’s dress? It’s the very same Armani Privé gown that she wore to the 2016 Golden Globes. “From couture to T-shirts, landfills are full of garments that have been unnecessarily discarded. It seems willful and ridiculous that such garments are not cherished and re-worn for a lifetime,” said the actress. That’s a red-carpet trend we can get behind.

Léa Seydoux can always be relied upon to put a modern twist on old-Hollywood-inspired glamour. For her red-carpet appearance last night as part of the Cannes jury, the actress wore this shimmering, beaded white number with some seriously cool ear candy.

From the slip dress shape to the minimal hair and makeup, Spanish actress Úrsula Corberó’s look is the epitome of pared-back elegance – not an easy feat when there’s fringing, peekaboo panels and cascading diamonds in the mix.

We’d like to think that we inspired Doutzen’s red suit when we photographed her for our cover last year, because this look is effortless yet incredible – and who wouldn’t want to take a little credit for that?

Yara Shahidi is a fashion chameleon, nailing everything from streetwear to Carolina Herrera satin skirts and modern pastels, but here’s proof she shines when keeping it simple, too: a wrap-style black dress, classic tan pumps and some out-of-this-world Tiffany jewels.

Sarah Paulson often errs on the edgy side when it comes to style, and we love her for it. But this modern Victoriana dress is a thing of beauty on the Ocean’s 8 actress, with black accessories offsetting the purity perfectly.

Zendaya, this is everything. Puffed sleeves, a huge neck tie, a so-now shade of pastel blue… Plus, that thick satin ribbon in her hair and polka-dot shoes. Speechless.

If there’s one thing Sarah Jessica Parker has in common with her SATC alter ego, it’s a knack for subverting a classic look with a great pair of heels. Side note: will we ever not love the sight of SJP on a brownstone’s steps?

This is how to execute summer whites this season: actress Ella Purnell teams the perfect pair of wide-leg tailored pants with a romantic blouse, tan sandals and a chic gold jewelry accent.

Head-to-toe red, print, fringing and a liberal helping of jewelry… Only an icon of Iris Apfel’s status could pull off a look like this. Standing ovation.

How do you guarantee simple yet show-stopping style? With a perfect Versace LBD, as demonstrated by model Kaia Gerber at an Omega watch event in Berlin. Timeless.

Model Hailey Baldwin nails this season’s sheer trend in this beaded Zuhair Murad creation. The side-parted waves add an air of old-school Hollywood glamour.

A white fluid wide-legged pant suit worn with Adidas trainers and a tan Chloé bag is summer-in-the-city perfection, as per Brazilian model Barbara Fialho.

Thanks for the masterclass in how to elevate your wardrobe basics, Gigi Hadid. The oversized cream denim jacket and animal-print ankle boots make jeans and a tee feel of-the-moment.

Dakota Johnson isn’t holding a ‘best dressed’ award, but she should be. Attico’s yellow velvet is a much cooler take on event dressing than the usual fare. Keeping her hair low-key is a good move too – the whole effect is effortless.

Head-to-toe red is a showstopper, but wearing bold color on a night can result in looking a bit ‘day at the races’. Model Flaviana Matata avoids that by going for a super-sharp double-breasted suit.

Actress Yara Shahidi is quickly becoming our style crush: only 18 years old, and clearly happy to take a risk on the red carpet.

What do you wear to visit the Vatican? A Maje dress, a Paravel bag and a very big hat, according to Katy Perry. Divine inspiration, clearly.