Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteThe exact 31-person list behind this title cannot be verified from the available sources, so it would be misleading to present a complete roster or imply an order. The documented year-end coverage does, however, capture the year’s most discussed red-carpet ideas: film-inspired “method dressing” alongside classic, enduring glamour. Here are several of its specific looks—and the details that make them worth comparing.
How to read a “best-dressed” list
Best-dressed selections are editorial judgments, not objective rankings. The year-end coverage cited here offers no scoring system, and its examples should not be treated as entries in a verified 31-person list. A useful way to compare the looks is to consider the event, the garment’s designer and provenance, its silhouette and color, and whether it refers directly to a film or character.
Film-inspired looks took center stage
The Independent’s Lara Owen described 2024 red carpets as being overtaken by method dressing: actors using fashion to pay homage to the films they were promoting. Owen also noted that timeless looks remained influential. That is a qualitative assessment of the year’s fashion, not a measured industry finding. The Independent’s year-end roundup offers examples of both approaches.
Zendaya at the London premiere of Dune: Part Two
Zendaya wore a futuristic silver Mugler suit styled by Law Roach. Its chrome panels drew on Mugler’s 1995 couture collection, creating a direct visual link between the premiere’s science-fiction setting and the garment’s design. The look is a striking example of fashion functioning as part of a film’s public identity.
#1 Best Overall
Ariana Grande at the Australia premiere of Wicked
Grande’s custom pink Vivienne Westwood gown evoked Glinda through its color and elaborate construction: a corseted, embellished bodice, puffed sleeves and a layered tulle skirt. The roundup also identifies a Lorraine Schwartz diamond butterfly choker. Here, the character reference is immediately legible, while the couture details give the outfit its own formal presence.
Cynthia Erivo at the London premiere of Wicked
Erivo chose a black Schiaparelli look with a velvet bodice and dramatic tulle skirt. The coverage framed the dark palette as a departure from the green associated with her character. Rather than reproducing a character color, the outfit offered a contrasting interpretation.
Lady Gaga at the London premiere of Joker: Folie à Deux
Gaga wore a custom blood-red Celine gown with pronounced shoulders and a plunging neckline, finished with a cropped jacket. Its strong shape and saturated color made it a distinct red-carpet statement without relying on a directly described character costume.
Classic glamour and archival fashion
Carey Mulligan at the Oscars
Mulligan’s black Balenciaga gown and full-length opera gloves were presented as an example of the year’s “quiet luxury” trend: a restrained palette and a formal silhouette rather than an overt film reference. The Independent’s roundup attributes to Vogue Mulligan’s comment, “I think it’s my favourite dress I’ve ever worn.” The original Vogue interview and its context were not independently verified in the available coverage, so the quotation should be read with that attribution caveat.
Rank #3
Rihanna at the Fashion Awards
Rihanna wore an archival Christian Lacroix autumn/winter 2002 couture outfit, paired with a turquoise furry dress and matching hat. The example stands apart from custom premiere dressing: its identity rests partly on the garment’s archival provenance and the boldness of its styling.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What these looks reveal about 2024 red-carpet style
Together, the examples show why a single “best dressed” ranking can conceal different kinds of achievement. Zendaya’s Mugler suit makes a strong connection between fashion and a film’s world; Grande’s gown translates a character reference into custom couture; Mulligan’s look relies on classic restraint; and Rihanna’s outfit draws attention to archival fashion and unusual styling. These are useful comparison lenses, not a published rating framework.
Rank #4
The examples come from year-end coverage published on December 24, 2024, by The Independent and from PA-syndicated versions carried by The Irish News and Echo Live. The latter two carry similar reporting and are not independent corroboration. The cited coverage documents memorable fashion moments, but it does not establish all 31 names, the order of a separate list, or that the custom and archival garments are available to buy.
Quick Recap
Best Value
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
