Style Flashback: A look at the best fashion moments of 2016

Style Rewind: A look at the best fashion moments of 2016

Sarah Khan

19 Dec 2016

Hint: it involves sportswear, Beyonce, sustainable fashion (about time), and even Prince George.

1/10
Beyonce’s Ivy Park collection
For many people (in particular, the 'Beyhives'), Beyonce's launch of her hotly-anticipated athleisure brand Ivy Park was the defining style moment of 2016. And we can't blame them. While many celebrities fall in the pattern of selling their merchandise at exorbitant price points, Beyonce teamed up with high-street brand Topshop, creating a line that was therefore appropriately priced and also extremely desirable. Take note celebrities, that's how you do it.
2/10
The return of the ’80s
Prominent shoulder pads, asymmetrical hemlines and statement sleeves - the key fashion trends of 2016 has got us feeling like we're having a massive déjà vu of the '80s. From major design houses like YSL, Celine, Louis Vuittion, Balenciaga and more, disco fever is definitely in vogue this year.
3/10
FENTY x PUMA
Rihanna took Paris Fashion Week by storm this year, with her second Fenty Puma show in the city. And it's official: 2016 is most definitely PUMA's year.
4/10
Bella Hadid walks on water
The Fendi '90 Years Anniversary' show in Rome is definitely an iconic moment in fashion this year. Staged at Rome's exquisite and historic Trevi Fountain, models such as the likes of Kendall Jenner and Bella Hadid walked on water, via a clear Lucite runway.
5/10
The end of ‘plus sizes’
Ashley Graham's feature on the front covers of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue and British Vogue made waves in the fashion scene, by breaking the barriers faced by women designers previously termed as 'plus sized'.
The curvy beauty is intent on further redefining the perception of size in the media, and has partnered with Mattel to release her very own Barbie Doll. She is also a judge on America's Next Top Model, and is vocal about being set on discovering the next 'plus-sized' supermodel.
6/10
Athleisure and the bomber jacket
The defining style trend of 2016 is, without a doubt, the sporty chic trend - otherwise known as 'athleisure'. The Internet obsessed over Beyonce's Ivy Park and lusted over Fenty by PUMA. Sportswear labels like PUMA, Nike and Adidas have also experienced surges in their sales this year and sportswear seems to be everyone's staple daily wear. A welcome change? We say yes.
7/10
Sustainable fashion
If there's a fashion moment that needs to pick up pace, it's sustainable fashion. And to an extent, 2016 has bore witness to greater embracing towards eco-friendly couture. Here, Karl Lagerfeld debuts his design incorporating recycled paper, organic yarns and even wood chips in his Spring 2016 Chanel couture collection.
8/10
Beyonce’s CFDA speech
Beyonce made the CFDA Fashion Awards a night to remember with her powerful Fashion Icon Award acceptance speech. A vision in her Givenchy pinstripes and wide-brimmed hat, she recalled her early days as part of Destiny's Child, where “high-end labels didn't really want to dress four black country girls”. She then went on to encourage designers to use their platforms for good to change perceptions, empower women and inspire.
9/10
Prince George’s cosy statement
The Internet quite literally melted when pictures of Prince George wearing a white terry-cloth bathrobe for a formal meeting with President Obama made its rounds on social media. It may not be the defining style moment of the year, but we can't argue its undeniably the cutest. Kate Middleton, watch out - looks like there's another style contender in the family!
10/10
Bella Hadid’s high slit moment
Bella Hadid's stunning red carpet dress during the Cannes Film Festival is definitely the show-stopping dress of the year. If you thought Angelina Jolie rocked the high side slit look, Bella's sky high slit definitely takes the cake and leaves little to the imagination.

2016, without a doubt, has been a huge year for fashion. Among many things, the year saw a strong ’80s comeback, an inexplicable surge in popularity of the sporty-chic bomber jacket and (hopefully) the complete invalidation of the fashion industry term ‘plus size’. Even more hopeful this year was the timely message on sustainability that Karl Lagerfeld was intent on proposing at the 2016 Chanel Spring/Summer show, with his designs that incorporated recycled paper, organic yarn and even wood chips.

Scroll through our gallery above and take a look back at the best fashion moments of 2016 that we’re not likely to forget and hope carry through the new year!

Sarah Khan

Photos: Getty Images

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