British celebrities really came with their best for the return of red carpet fashion in 2021. The reopening of the fashion, film, and music industries encouraged the most stylish of Brits to embrace sparkling gowns, voluminous tulle, corsets, feathers, and sumptuous black velvet. Fancy finding out which Brits had the most memorable red carpet moments? We hand-picked 38 breathtaking looks that will set the standard for 2022 celebrity style.
Of the best-dressed British celebs, Cynthia Erivo and Rina Sawayama really elevated our expectations. They both have fun with a statement outfit while also looking polished and glam on the red carpet. Sawayama’s lilac ruffle Balmain gown at the 2021 BRIT Awards was one of the most impactful red carpet fashion moments of the year. As with Erivo, it was difficult not to include every single one of her looks this year because her balance of avant-garde and elegance is a truly unique skill.
Stars that sartorially evolved in 2021 were definitely Michaela Coel and Rochelle Humes. Coel mesmerised us in her open-back Maximilian dress at the 2021 BAFTA Awards. Rochelle Humes, we honestly didn’t expect, but this year saw her try some deliciously daring outfits – particularly the Galia Lahav gown she wore to the 2021 Fashion Awards.
Emma Corrin and Nicola Coughlan represented for avant-garde style. Corrin’s outfits this year were walking pieces of art, particularly the yellow Miu Miu dress she wore to the 2021 Emmys. Coughlan’s gowns became increasingly hypnotising with each red carpet appearance. We love how she balances a playful girlishness with a touch of gothic styling. And our style crush for 2021? Iris Law, who excited us every time with her edgy and experimental outfits.
Ready to see the best-dressed British celebrities of 2021? Keep reading.
Getty / Daniele Venturelli
Gemma Chan at the Eternals Premiere
Gemma Chan wore a two-piece set by Miss Sohee.
Getty / ANGELA WEISS
Emily Blunt at the 2021 Met Gala
Emily Blunt wore a Miu Miu dress and Messika jewels.
Getty / Ian Gavan
Lashana Lynch at the No Time to Die World Premiere
Lashana Lynch wore a yellow-and-black Vivienne Westwood gown. Her jewellery was by Ara Vartanian.
Getty / JMEnternational
Rina Sawayama at the 2021 BRIT Awards
Rina Sawayama wore a ruffled lilac Balmain gown.
Getty / David M. Benett
Stormzy at the No Time to Die World Premiere
Stormzy wore a black suit with a velvet jacket.
Getty / Elisabetta A. Villa
Cynthia Erivo at the 2021 Venice Film Festival
Cynthia Erivo wore a lemon-and-fuchsia dress by Valentino.
British Fashion Council / Karwai Tang
Jourdan Dunn at the 2021 Fashion Awards
Jourdan Dunn wore a red gown by Andrea Brocca.
Getty / Neil Mockford
Emma Watson at the 2021 Earthshot Prize Awards
Emma Watson wore a Harris Reed blouse with smart black trousers.
Getty / Gareth Cattermole
Emma Corrin at the 2021 Emmy Awards
Emma Corrin wore a yellow dress by Miu Miu.
Getty / JMEnternational
MNEK at the BRIT Awards 2021
MNEK wore a baby blue ruffled suit by Robert Wun and jewels by Samantha Siu.
Getty / David M. Benett
Michaela Coel at the 2021 BAFTA Awards
Michaela Coel wore a black gown by Maximilian.
Getty / Mike Marsland
Emma Raducanu at the No Time to Die World Premiere
Emma Raducanu wore a white, one-shoulder, Grecian-inspired dress from Dior’s Resort 2022 collection. Her jewellery – including tennis bracelet, earrings, and rings – was from Tiffany & Co.
British Fashion Council / Gareth Cattermole/BFC
Rochelle Humes at the 2021 Fashion Awards
Rochelle Humes wore a Galia Lahav gown.
British Fashion Council / Samir Hussein
Alexa Chung at the 2021 Fashion Awards
Alexa Chung wore a yellow Caroline Hu dress.
Getty / Jeff Spicer
Phoebe Dynevor at the 2021 BAFTA Film Awards
Phoebe Dynevor wore a black Louis Vuitton one-shoulder gown.
Getty / David M. Benett
Daniel Craig at the No Time to Die World Premiere
Daniel Craig wore a magenta velvet suit jacket, black trousers, and a bow tie.
British Fashion Council / Mike Marsland
Griff at the 2021 Fashion Awards
Griff wore a full look by Simone Rocha.
Getty / Arnold Jerocki
Jodie Turner-Smith at the 2021 Cannes Film Festival
Jodie Turner-Smith wore a Gucci gown.
British Fashion Council / Samir Hussein
Kate Beckinsale at the 2021 Fashion Awards
Kate Beckinsale wore a Sabina Bilenko dress.
Getty / Gareth Cattermole
Regé-Jean Page at the British GQ Men of the Year Awards 2021
Regé-Jean Page wore an evergreen-coloured suit and pocket watch.
Getty / Rich Fury
Michaela Coel at the 2021 Emmy Awards
Michaela Coel wore a highlighter yellow two-piece set by Christopher John Rodgers.
Getty / Gareth Cattermole
Vicky Pattison at the Pride of Britain Awards 2021
Pattison’s sequins, lace, and feather-trimmed dress is from Berta.
Getty / Axelle/Bauer-Griffin
Anya Taylor-Joy at the Last Night in Soho Premiere
Anya Taylor-Joy wore a gold gown by Dior.
Getty / JMEnternational
Lianne La Havas at the BRIT Awards 2021
Lianna La Havas wore an animal print Sciaparelli gown with leather opera gloves.
Getty / Pool
Carey Mulligan at the 2021 Oscars
Carey Mulligan wore a Valentino gown, Cartier jewels, and Sophia Webster heels.
Getty / Pool
Riz Ahmed at the 2021 Oscars
Riz Ahmed wore an all-black look.
Getty / Mike Marsland
Maya Jama at the National Television Awards 2021
Maya Jama wore a gown by Azzi & Osta and Bvlgari jewels.
Getty / Steve Granitz
Celeste at the 2021 LACMA Art + Film Gala
Celeste wore a Gucci dress.
Getty / David M. Benett
Yomi Adegoke at the 2021 British Vogue and Tiffany & Co Party
Yomi Adegoke wore a Taller Marmo dress.
British Fashion Council / Karwai Tang
Iris Law at the 2021 Fashion Awards
Iris Law wore an outfit by Dilara Findikoglu.
Iona Wolff
Nicola Coughlan at the 2021 SAG Awards
Nicola Coughlan wore a black dress by Christian Siriano.
Getty / Jeff Spicer
Gugu Mbatha-Raw at the 2021 BAFTA Film Awards
Gugu Mbatha-Raw wore a head-to-toe metallic Louis Vuitton outfit.
Getty / Gareth Cattermole
Mollie King at the National Television Awards 2021
Mollie King wore a Lihi Hod Bridal gown and Jimmy Choo stilettos.
Getty / David M. Benett
Little Simz at the British Vogue and Tiffany & Co. Party
Little Simz wore a smart black suit over an orange knitted shirt.
Getty / Gareth Cattermole
Alex Scott at the Pride of Britain Awards 2021
Alex Scott wore an outfit by Dalore London.
Getty / Gareth Cattermole
Bimini Bon Boulash at the Gay Times Honours 2021
Bimini Bon Boulash wore a decadent white outfit.
Getty / David M. Benett
Jourdan Dunn at the British Vogue and Tiffany & Co. Party
Jourdan Dunn wore a lilac set by Miss Sohee.
Getty / Gareth Cattermole
Rochelle Humes at the Pride of Britain Awards 2021
Rochelle Humes wore a brown co-ordinated set by Suzanne Neville.
