The 30 most stylish people of the year

As 2025 draws to a close, it's time to determine the best-dressed celebrities of the year—as ranked by the Observer fashion team. From Jeff Goldblum in Emerald-City excellence to Cate Blanchett revisiting a red carpet look from the past, Alexander Skarsgård in BDSM-inspired leather and a furry bear whose favourite accessory is a marmalade sandwich. The actors, musicians, activists and artists of the world have torn up the red carpet, slayed the street style game and nailed themed press tours: these are the 30 people we think came out on top.

30. CALLUM TURNER

Turner has popped up on best dressed lists like a silent style assassin. Appearing in Louis Vuitton's latest campaign, Dua Lipa's betrothed – who is rumoured to be the new James Bond – has carved out a signature style that leans on classic menswear wardrobe staples. An impeccably tailored suit with a tie is a recurring theme, as are well-cut leather jackets.His white tuxedo look during the Venice film festival was pure 007. Dress for the job you want, right? 

29. JUNG KOOK

It's safe to say that no one on this list can make a crowd of fans scream and swoon like Jung Kook. Our favourite member of the K-pop sensation BTS has been thriving as a solo star this year, breaking digital streaming records and gracing the cover Elle and Rolling Stone. In October 2025, Calvin Klein sent the internet wild when they released a string of stylish campaign images featuring the musician, who is one of the brand's global ambassadors. Take notes fellas, we could all learn a thing or two from this Korean heartthrob’s minimal-but-marvellous style. 

28. OLIVIA DEAN

What we love most about Dean is her dedication to wearing and working with so many London-based designers. She has twirled in dresses by Connor Ives and Erdem in music videos, sported custom Chopova Lowena at festivals, and rocked Feben on the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. We thank you for your service, Olivia.

27. SARAH PAULSON

After making her catwalk debut for Miu Miu last year, actor Sarah Paulson has been on a fierce fashion trajectory. We’ve particularly enjoyed her slaying the press tour of frequent collaborator Ryan Murphy’s controversial legal series All's Fair with new bestie Kim Kardashian. One highlight of the year was Paulson walking the pink carpet in a feathered skirt from Louise Totter's celebrated debut Bottega Veneta SS26 collection.

26. MICHÈLE LAMY

Lamy's avant-garde, eclectic look comes across as darkly glamorous. She wouldn't seem out of place as the heroine of a sci-fi, post-apocalyptic world on an alien planet. Both artist and muse and wife to designer Rick Owens, Lamy represents rebellion. Her futuristic gothic aesthetic is created by blending Owens’ creations with sculptural layered textiles that create a strong silhouette on her tiny frame. With her statement oxidised jewellery, henna-tattooed skin, with dye-dipped fingers adorned with chunky rings, she is pure art in motion.

25. LITTLE SIMZ

Little Simz is no stranger to the fashion world after walking in the Miu Miu show and appearing in the label’s ad campaign. Her 2025 style blends experimental preppy-chic, sporty edges, and strong accessories. For this year's Fashion Awards, the British-Nigerian designer Tolu Coker created a look that reflected Simz’ own Nigerian and British heritage. The green nodded to the Nigerian flag, while the houndstooth jacquard, woven from upcycled denim, referenced her British roots. Menswear elements were softened with a skirt, highlighting her refusal to be confined. The whole look was topped off with a contemporary version of the Yoruba Fila hat – traditionally worn by the Yoruba people of Western Africa – crafted by Milliner Virna Pasquinelli, which symbolises the dual nature of womanhood and artistry.

24. PIERCE BROSNAN

It’s been 20 years since Brosnan played 007 but he has lost none of Bond’s suave magnetism. Aging like a fine wine, he oozes style and sophistication. He graced GQ’s Man of the Year cover in a MobLand-coded Prada overcoat. Special mention to his magnificent hair, the standout star of the Thursday Murder Club retirement village. Chef’s kiss! 

23. COLE ESCOLA

What we love most about Cole Escola’s style is that no stone is left unturned – they always commit to serving a look that's referential, fun and fabulous. For this year's Tony Awards, the American comedian, actor, and playwright worked with designer Wiederhoeft to recreate the blue dress Bernadette Peters wore to the Tony Awards in 1999. Escola made history by winning Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Play for their own creation, Oh, Mary!. We urge you to go and watch their acceptance speech.

22. POPE LEO

Since his election in May, Pope Leo has cut a serene figure, but he showed early signs of being a style rebel a month into his tenure by breaking from traditional papal dress codes and donning a Chicago White Sox baseball cap with his cassock. His style savant status was sealed when Pantone announced the colour of 2026 to be a shade of white dubbed Cloud Dancer, AKA his signature look: “a lofty white that serves as a symbol of calming influence… a whisper of tranquility and peace in a noisy world”. Isn’t that exactly how Popetok would describe the Pontiff?

21. CHARLOTTE RAMPLING

Rampling favours sophisticated, minimalist tailoring, and her looks are rooted in her signature timeless, confident, and understated elegance. The actor’s wardrobe staples focus on impeccable tailored pantsuits – with slightly oversized proportions or deconstructed elements, neutral palettes, and classic masculine-meets-feminine to create an ageless, chic look. Walking for Yohji Yamamoto's menswear SS25 show in a deconstructed suit, and her attendance at the Saint Laurent, Louis Vuitton, and Stella McCartney shows prove her ongoing influence in the fashion world.

20. RICHARD E. GRANT

The acting icon has enjoyed a year with his nose pressed firmly at the fashion grindstone – in fact, the invitations haven’t stopped rolling in since he first appeared on the Observer Magazine’s style-issue cover in autumn 2024. First Burberry came calling in February with a runway debut and campaign, and this season he was seen wearing a headline-grabbing leather pinny at Miu Miu and modelling for Glenn Martens X H&M.

19. MUNROE BERGDORF

The celebrated model, writer, and prominent UK trans activist  had an exceptional 2025. This year saw Bergdorf tick a few must-do boxes, including the publication of her memoir, Talk To Me: How to Talk About the Things That Matter, and presenting her own documentary, Love & Rage: Munroe Bergdorf. Since being invited to become a contributing editor at British Vogue in 2022, Bergdorf's style influence has continued to soar. She favours glamorous bold and empowering looks – recently seen in a bodycon dress by Balmain and at the Fashion awards in a custom latex, avant-garde look by Atsuko Kudo.

18. MEGAN STALTER

The stand-up comedian and actress tickled audiences this year as the chaotic protagonist in Lena Dunham’s new Netflix series Too Much. We salute Stalter's approach, which is both comedic and unapologetic. Her looks can be character-driven and camp, spreading joy and poking fun. But they are also often a celebration of her beautiful curves or coded with a subliminal message. At the 2025 Emmys she carried a bag labeled with the words “Cease Fire!”, seemingly referencing the ongoing war in Gaza.

17. JJENNIFER SAUNDERS AND JOANNA LUMLEY

Everyone cracked open the Bolly when our favourite champagne-swigging fashionistas appeared back on this year’s FROW, embracing their beloved personas. Patsy and Eddie were seated prominently at the SS25 Burberry show wearing head-to-toe Burbs, darling. The reckless, hapless, and designer-obsessed pair, whose misadventures have set the standard for sartorial satire, never disappoint. 

16. CATE BLANCHETT

Blanchett’s timeless elegance and sustainable choices define her style; she often recycles red-carpet looks; recently an Armani Privé gown. Her staples include sophisticated silhouettes and strong menswear influences, such as impeccable tailoring, a Haider Ackermann for Tom Ford pink suit worn with a neon-green blouse, and a super chic black leather bomber and midi skirt with a cinched waist by Sarah Burton for Givenchy.  Wearing both pieces shortly after their runway debuts highlights her influence and her loyalty to designers.

15. CHAPPELL ROAN

It’s probably no surprise that “your favourite artist’s favourite artist” has made it onto this list. The magic of Roan’s style lies with her willingness to go the distance with every aspect of her look: the makeup is painterly, her hair sculptural, the looks themselves often creative and narrative-driven. Whether she’s on the red carpet in a suit of armour, intentionally flashing a nipple on the front row at fashion week, or in a custom designer look on the main stage at Reading festival, she’s always “Hot to Go!”.

14. TRACEE ELLIS ROSS

No one wears clothes with as much joie de vivre as Tracee Ellis Ross; her signature look of voluminous silhouettes and exaggerated proportions married with bold colour choices are always accessorised with a huge smile and an infectious love for fashion. Her standout looks in 2025 included a pleated-silk and lace Jonathan Anderson for Dior look for the Being Eddie premiere, and a Marc Jacobs’ vibrant supersized trouser suit with shocking pink bow at the Met Gala. “I feel like it’s animated joy and artistry,” she told Vogue on the red carpet.(Photo by TheStewartofNY/GC Images)

13. JACOB ELORDI

Elordi has had the vast majority of us feeling hot under the collar this year. The 6ft5 Australian actor has not only been making an impact in front of the camera, but also on the street, red carpet and airport in a string of simplistic-yet-stellar looks. His style is grounded and attainable, a perfect example of how the crop of a t-shirt, cut of a blue jean and oversized Bottega Veneta tote can elevate the ordinary. He’ll be soon embarking on the press tour for the 2026 adaptation of Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights. Guys, take notes.

12. DEMI MOORE

Moore's striking fashion 2025 moments include starring as the fictional Barbara Gucci in Demna's debut film The Tiger, in which she appears as an ambassador for the house, and her literal interpretation of the black-tie theme at the Met Gala, to which she wore a custom Thom Browne gown shaped like a giant men's necktie. Other stunning looks range from a crystal-embroidered Giorgio Armani Privé dress and a custom halter-neck Alexander McQueen gown, and an edgy, all-black leather Bottega Veneta dress with a voluminous peplum.

11. COLMAN DOMINGO

As the host of this year's Fashion Awards in London and co-chair of the 2025 Met Gala, Colman Domingo was a non-negotiable for this list. Often adorned in custom Valentino by Alessandro Michele, bold Versace silks or checkered Louis Vuitton monogram, the actor has a sense of style that commands attention. Oh and don’t forget his killer accessory game – he is king of rocking a one-of-a-kind brooch or fistful of bejewelled rings, which make most of the other men on a red carpet look all too pedestrian.

10. PADDINGTON BEAR

To the average Brit, Paddington is a relatable style icon; if he were an influencer, his mantra would be “cosy with a heritage aesthetic”. From the Burberry-inspired blue duffle (named after a town in Belgium rather than a place in Peru), the look is a blend of classic British practicality and timeless style. The jaunty red hat would most certainly have the seal of approval from milliner Stephen Jones, while the functional wellies have a touch of home counties adventurer. And who doesn’t appreciate a marmalade sandwich tucked away for afternoon tea with a member of the Royal family?

9. DOECHII

Doechii’s fashion journey runs parallel with her growth as a music artist, and there's no denying that 2025 saw her flourish and thrive in both lanes. When receiving the Grammy for Best Rap Album for her mixtape, Alligator Bites Never Heal, the artist opted to appear in not one but four custom Thom Browne looks. It was no surprise that her stylist, Sam Woolf, was the recipient of the Pandora Style Moment of the Year Award at this year's Fashion Awards. It was a celebration of their collaboration on iconic fashion moments at the Met Gala, BET awards and Glastonbury. 

8. GRETA LEE

Having followed creative director Jonathan Anderson from Loewe to Dior as a brand ambassador, Lee continued her red carpet reign this year when she debuted an early Anderson Dior look at the Venice Film Festival in September – making the ultra-mini dress with plunging neckline look effortlessly chic. Lee's own brand of minimal cool with a twist is the perfect foil to Anderson's avant-garde take on classic looks.

7. LILY ALLEN

After her surprise modelling debut for 80s designer Antony Price’s collaboration with 16Arlington, Lily has adopted the revenge dress aesthetic à la Jessica Rabbit,  with a touch of Rita Hayworth’s seductive Gilda. The Salon show saw the singer appearing in a dramatic corseted, navy-velvet gown with green trim, unsubtly titled “Avenge”, channelling classic Hollywood glamour with a modern edge. She really is, as she’s said herself, having a moment. 

6. JEFF GOLDBLUM

The king of swing and swag continued to tear up the red carpet (and yellow brick road) in 2025 on part two of the world's longest press tour (™) . Wicked fatigue hit months ago but we’ll never tire of Goldblum’s high-fashion looks, created in conjunction with his partner-in-style-crime, stylist Andrew T. Votter – particularly his no-notes Craig Green look complete with spotlight glasses.

5. AYO EDEBIRI

It’s quite clear that every designer is champing at the bit to dress the talented Ayo Edebiri. She’s graced the cover of Vogue and W Magazine, fronted a Loewe campaign and recently been announced as a Chanel ambassador – a golden gig now that the brand is under the creative direction of Matthieu Blazy. Edebiri’s magic comes from her ability to lean into both masculine and feminine styles, bringing the same level of cool whether she’s in an oversized Loewe suit with golden-feather tie, or floor-length Emila Wickstead gown.

4. PAMELA ANDERSON

Pammie’s style transformation took the actress from red  Baywatch one-piece to red-carpet couture, with looks from designers like Dior, Versace, The Row, and Bottega Veneta. Anderson’s wardrobe style evolution is a reflection of a new chapter in her life, elevating herself to a fashion-industry style icon, spotted front row at Paris Fashion week. With Anderson making more headlines for her nomination for her role in The Last Showgirl and her surprising, joyous relationship with Liam Neeson during their filming of The Naked Gun, she’s certainly earned a place on the best-dressed list.

3. MARGOT ROBBIE

Robbie returned from mat leave to retrieve her red-carpet crown with a show stopping mic drop – an Armani Privé “naked” dress covered in jewels with a plunging back held up by spaghetti straps. Her return was cemented by a front row appearance at the year’s most anticipated show – Matthieu Blazy’s debut at Chanel, for which she endorsed one of SS26’s biggest runway trends: bra tops. We can’t wait to see what looks she and stylist Andrew Mukamai come up with for the Wuthering Heights press tour… a Kate Bush red dress is surely a must.

2. A$AP ROCKY AND RIHANNA

Name a more iconic style duo (we’ll wait). Fashion’s power couple rarely put a step wrong in the style stakes, serving look after look throughout 2025. This year A$AP joined LadyGaga, Zendaya and, of course, Rihanna, when he was awarded the CDFA Fashion icon award, and became a Chanel ambassador. Rihanna continued to rewrite the rule book on maternity dressing with a pregnancy reveal in a Marc Jacobs corseted bodice and matching cropped tuxedo jacket at the Met Gala.

1. ALEXANDER SKARSGÅRD

Drum role please…! The coveted number-one spot goes to the Swedish actor, AKA the red carpet’s dream girl. He lived his best leather-clad life on the Pillion press tour this year, turning out in all manner of tongue-in-cheek, BDSM-inspired saucy looks, including a dildo-print shirt, backless halterneck shirt, lace-up-crotch leather pants and thigh-high Saint Laurent boots, all dreamed up by super-stylist Harry Lambert. Props to Skarsgård for his commitment to the bit and penchant for side-stepping trousers; who can forget his Lorraine appearance in S.S Daley micro shorts styled with socks and loafers? “I wanted to be sexy today,” he said in defence of the look. Here's to more Skarsgård headline grabbing looks in 2026.