Red Carpet Countdown: BEST of 2015, Part 2

Let’s continue to document the very best red carpetry of 2015, kittens. You can start with Part 1 here to make sure you’re full up to date on all your judging.

10. Janelle Monáe in Tadashi Shoji at the 2015 CFDA Fashion Awards

Miss Janelle moved away from her signature style this year and into something equally as eye-catching and potentially iconic, judging by this version of her new go-to. In short, Miss Lady discovered capes, bare legs, and the beauty of wearing something other than black, the discoveries of which all led her to this insanely chic and eye-catching ensemble. From the hair down to the shoes, it’s all perfect.

9. Lupita Nyong’o in Elie Saab at the 2015 Screen Actors Guild Awards

Once again the KWEEN brings it to the red carpet. Not everyone loved this look, but we found it captivating for being so dramatically unusual. You just don’t see prints and color combos like this one on the red carpet all that often, since so many ladystars are too afraid to venture outside safe colors and simple florals. But Miss Lupita is nothing if not bold in her style choices and fearless about whether they’re appropriately low-key enough for the masses.  It’s a beautifully dramatic look topped off by a FLAWLESS head.

Ironically, the very next dress on our list is somewhat similar to this one, even though we just got finished saying how unique it is.

8. Elizabeth Banks in Elie Saab Couture at “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2” Berlin Premiere

Because girlfriend knew she only had a few more chances to get her Effie Trinket on and she took this one and ran with it. There are very few instances when a ladystar can get away with wearing a crown on the red carpet and bless her heart, Lizzie found one. It helps that the dress is so dramatic. Like Lupita’s the color combo is slightly unusual for the red carpet and the way the pattern is laid out is HIGHLY unusual, making it the kind of dress you really have to look at in order to take it all in.

7. Chloë Sevigny in Gucci at the LACMA 2015 Art+Film Gala

A stunningly perfect marriage of weird dress with weird gal, the results of which are inexplicably chic and eye-catching. And also because we need to see more tigers and snakes on the red carpet, don’t you think?

6. Michael Shannon at “The Night Before” Los Angeles Premiere

Because this is the greatest example of “knowing your venue and dressing accordingly” we think we’ve ever seen. Because the “I LIGHT UP” sticker is hands-down the very best accessory of 2015. Because a stoney-faced commitment to not taking the joke too far is exactly what makes the joke so deliciously funny.

• Best and Worst Red Carpet Looks
• Red Carpet