Bauer Griffin/WireImage
2011 was a memorable year for fashion-loving folk; from the Royal Wedding to Galliano's shocking fall from grace to the somewhat unsettling rise of celebrity teen muses, we had plenty to gawk at, talk about and marvel over.
But in between the Lady Gaga egg hatchings and the obsession over Pippa's butt were some genuinely enjoyable style moments. Some were understated, like calming neutral palettes that dominated the runways. Others were loud and joyful noises, like the awesomeness of Sophia Grace and Rosie. They were the looks we couldn't keep our eyes from and the gossip we couldn't wait to discuss, and they all played a part in making 2011 a heck of a lot more fashionable. Check out our slideshow and see if you agree.
Favourite Style Moments Of 2011
Lace All Over The Place(01 of06)
Although it had been emerging on the racks across the country prior, the pivotal moment for lace in the Canadian landscape was, sans doute, the minute the Duchess of Cambridge stepped off the plane and onto Ottawa soil wearing that fantastic navy and white Erdem dress. Kate's choice was pitch-perfect: classy and striking but not overpowering. Canadians everywhere approved, including us. Lace is no longer relegated to camisoles, and is surprisingly versatile -- it can be subtle or edgy, and is stronger than ever, thanks to manufacturing technology. And have you seen those lace face masks? Not something to wear to the office per se, but tell us that doesn't look badass and ladylike at the same time.
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge arrives at Macdonald-Cartier International Airport on June 30, 2011 in Ottawa, Canada. (Photo by Chris Jackson-Pool/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge arrives at Macdonald-Cartier International Airport on June 30, 2011 in Ottawa, Canada. (Photo by Chris Jackson-Pool/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
The Return To Neutrals(02 of06)
Fashion in recent years has often been what one might call OTT -- over the top (hello, Katy Perry's colour-changing dress). So when the tides started shifting this year from 'Let's wear our nightclub clothes as regular clothes' back to 'Wait, let's just wear our regular clothes as regular clothes,' demure dressers around the world did an appropriately conservative happy dance, and welcomed with open arms the more serious colour palette that came with it. Hello, red, you make our lips so sophisticated and our pants so flirty. Yes, caramel, we do love the way you update the tall boot this year! And dearest taupe, who knew you would be so fetching on short nails everywhere? They're a versatile lot, those neutrals, and even work well with a shot of colour when one is feeling adventurous. And for the sartorially restrained, sometimes a little freedom is all you need.
A model walks the runway at the Marc By Marc Jacobs Fall 2011 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week on February 15, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images for Advanced Academics) (credit:Getty)
A model walks the runway at the Marc By Marc Jacobs Fall 2011 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week on February 15, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images for Advanced Academics) (credit:Getty)
Helen Mirren Wins L.A. Fitness' Best Body Award(03 of06)
There's really not much to say about this because IT'S TRUE.
NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 22: Helen Mirren attends 'The Debt' screening at the Tribeca Grand Hotel - Screening Room on August 22, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Andy Kropa/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 22: Helen Mirren attends 'The Debt' screening at the Tribeca Grand Hotel - Screening Room on August 22, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Andy Kropa/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
Kate M's Fashion Repeats(04 of06)
The Royal Visit was, to put it mildly, a big deal this year, and millions of Canadians unabashedly watched the Duke and Duchess' every move across the country. And we dug the fact that Kate didn't hesitate to re-wear pieces she obviously knew we (the world) would notice. Because really, are we expecting her to wear a brand-new outfit every time she's out in public for the rest of her natural life? No, we are not -- that would be wasteful and alienating. And Kate is not about alienating. Kate does her own makeup at her wedding, she shops at the grocery store, and she wears her engagement dress more than once. And that's why we all love her so. (credit:Courtesy/WireImage)
The Other Kate M's Wedding(05 of06)
We also love Kate Moss, and for the exact opposite reason we love Kate Middleton -- Kate Moss seems completely inaccessible and otherworldly. Who else would upend a small English village to hold her fairytale wedding, complete with 16 bridesmaids and flower girls and a dress designed by her close friend John Galliano (too bad it was after his fall from grace)? Only Kate, the supermodel who put the world on its ear with her waifish figure and cocaine scandal. And her wedding wasn't anything less than showstopping -- it was old-fashioned and romantic and completely different than what everyone expected. Except that it had its own spread in Vogue. Does it get any more otherworldly than that? (credit:Bauer Griffin)
Adrian Wu At LG Fashion Week 2011(06 of06)
It doesn't seem like young Adrian's spring collection at this fall's LG Fashion Week in Toronto was very well received -- critics pooh-poohed it for its poor tailoring and confounding theme. The multitude of gauzy dresses, many with large fabric-wrapped lanterns protruding lasciviously from them, admittedly did need some work on the fit. But the guy is 21, people. He should be doing Jager bombs at the bar at this age. Instead, Wu put out a cohesive, if elusive, show replete with string quartet and androgynous models in creepy makeup, bird nest-like halos and unshaven legs. The young man has vision, and as much as the models teetered in their giant platform shoes (which he also designed), his execution wasn't at all tentative. He ruffled some feathers and got people talking in Toronto, a town notorious for its style conservatism. And isn't that one of the best parts of fashion? (credit:WireImage)