The Little Black List: Best of 2011

We here at theSkinnyStiletto realized we really like compiling lists, so we’ve created a new category we’re calling “The Little Black List.”  To start off 2012, we’re saying good-bye to 2011 by listing the 10 Best Fashion Moments of the past year.  (And no, there will never be a Kardashian on this list…)

1. Kate Middleton Makes Bridal History

2. Reese Witherspoon is Black & White All Over

3. Angelina Jolie Causes Envy at Golden Globes

4. Philip Treacy Brings Hats Back

5. The Princess & the Purple

6. Salma Hayek Shows Off Shades of Gray

7. Blake Lively is Lovely at the Met

8. Mila Kunis is Red Hot

9. The Obamas: 1st Family of Fashion

10. Camilla Belle Bares All

Look-of-the-Day

Looks like Angelina Jolie just doesn’t steal husbands in real life – she does it in her film roles, too!  In CIA epic The Good Shepherd, Matt Damon plays Edward Wilson, an intelligence officer based on James Jesus Angleton.  Jolie plays Clover, the sister of a fellow Secret Society member when Wilson is at Yale.  She looks lovely in this virginal capped-sleeve 1930s gathered cream dress with a beaded bodice – but she’s anything but… One night of seduction in this outfit changes the entire futures of Edward, Clover and Edward’s unknowing girlfriend, Laura.  This 2006 drama actually had an enormous costume department, but Jolie was personally outfitted by Iris Horta Lemos.  She ruins everything, but at least she looks good doing it!

Look-of-the-Day

Is green the new black?  Well, in our opinion, no color will ever be the “new black,” but it seems green has had a big comeback in recent years.  Between Keira Knightley’s stunning gown in Atonement, and new “It Girl” Pippa Middleton’s maid-of-honor dress, it seems like the world’s best-dressed are attracted to the wonderful Land of Oz.  Here, Angelina Jolie is wearing one of the most beautiful gowns seen on the red carpet in recent years.  The vintage long-sleeved Versace gown was covered in crystals, and looked straight out of Hollywood’s Golden Era.  Our editors had an argument over this dress, so much so, we didn’t even do a Golden Globe rundown this year, because we couldn’t stop arguing about this outfit – I find it beautiful; our other editor disagrees.  But, it remains this editor’s favorite gown of 2011.  The Emerald City looks like one glamorous place to visit!

Look-of-the-Day

Angelina Jolie is usually dressed in head-to-toe black, but she surprised audiences and fashion critics alike when she wore this yellow dress to the 2007 Cannes Film Festival.  Created by Emanuel Ungaro, this draped gown is knotted at the base of the bodice, creating a beautiful twist.  Jolie accessorized it with simple jewelry by Chopard.  Daffodils are usually used to symbolize friendship, and while she certainly isn’t a friend of Jennifer Aniston, this queen of dark colors certainly looks friendlier is this bright gown.

Top 10 Academy Award Dresses

Hilary Swank in Guy LaRoche, 2005

Reese Witherspoon in Valentino, 2002

Charlize Theron in Vera Wang, 2000

When it came to choosing our Top Ten Favorite Dresses from the Academy Awards, there were several disagreements and compromises among our editors…  We can all admit that Audrey was as regal as her character, Princess Ann, when she wore Givenchy (who else?) while accepting her Best Actress Oscar for Roman Holiday in 1954.  Grace Kelly wore a beautiful frock, making her last public appearance before marrying her prince in 1956.

Salma Hayek in Carolina Herrera, 2003

Grace Kelly, 1956

In 2000, Charlize Theron made orange attractive for the first time in Vera Wang.  Reese Witherspoon looked delightful in her capped-sleeve Valentino gown in 2002, while Salma Hayek turned heads at the 2003 ceremony in a Carolina Herrera two-piece the designer originally created for herself.  That same year Kate Hudson was a show-stopper in pale gold Atelier Versace, which was chosen as the #1 Dress of the Century by InStyle.

Audrey Hepburn in Givenchy, 1954

Kate Hudson in Atelier Versace, 2003

In 2004, Hilary Swank took the plunge, showing off her million-dollar backside.  Many people doubted Marion Cotillard’s chance of nabbing the Best Actress Oscar in 2007, as well as making any Best Dressed lists, but she proved them wrong twice in her stunning Jean-Paul Gaultier number that was made especially for her.  Two years later Angelina made our list by wearing her go-to color in Elie Saab.  And our final choice is up for an Oscar at tonight’s ceremony- Natalie Portman was pretty in pink two years ago wearing Rodarte – the same costumer for Black Swan!  Hopefully this year she’ll be carrying a heavy gold accessory by the end of the night…

Marion Cotillard in Jean Paul Gaultier, 2007

Natalie Portman in Rodarte, 2009

Angelina Jolie in Elie Saab, 2009