Image via Complex Original
Damn, 2014 flew by, huh? In a few days we're going to opening gifts and hitting the Mollynog hard, but it's also a time for us to reflect on some of the important things that have taken place in this 14th year of the 21st century. We saw some of our favorite celebrities dress really, really well! We saw a shit ton of dope overcoats, ripped denim, and even saw a rapper in a crop top. We saw them at fashion week, on the street, and yes—on fleek. This year's crop of uber-stylish celebrities kicked it up a notch with their individuality; something we are fortunately seeing more and more of. There are some perennial style-toppers making yet another appearance with some new faces poised to make a case for their permanence on the list. One things for sure; The Best Dressed Celebrities of 2014 are heading into the New Year with poise.
RELATED: The Best Dressed Men of 2016
A-Trak
Fool's Gold owner A-Trak certainly is no fool when it comes to dressing himself. The 32-year-old DJ and producer not only dropped a banger of an EP with Cam'Ron, but kept himself busy with another Duck Sauce release and Lex Luger's Low Pros. Factor in touring and traveling to events like Fool's Gold Day Off and The Grammys, and it's easy to see why he'd depend on a steady uniform of leather jackets, solid tees, beat-up denim, and Golden Goose sneakers. It's a look that's on trend without making him look like a chaser. One part cozy boy, one part downtown cool guy, A-Trak's low-key looks have made him the subtle sleeper of this list.
Dev Hynes
Dev Hynes of Blood Orange isn't flashy. In fact, he prefers to do many things “old school,” which translates over into his style. It can be described as “cool ass dadcore.” He mixes in vintage with designer and mastered that whole “I literally woke up like this, tho” style. Lived-in without being totally homeless. Rocking a souvenir NY cap with an Acne sweater has never looked so damn cool.
Michael B. Jordan
Young Michael B. Jordan emerged as a serious award-contending actor out of thin air. He's made countless appearances on and off the red carpet for his work on Fruitvale Station, That Awkward Moment and caused a stir when he was cast as a black Johnny Storm in The Fantastic Four. Bigger roles mean bigger opportunities for him to show off his impeccable menswear style on the red carpet, and if the Givenchy suit and shoes he wore to this year's Oscars are any indication, he's one of the few celebs who can make a tux actually look cool. When he dresses down, he has no issues mixing in some streetwear and sportswear elements into his kits. It's the kind of accessible style regular dudes can (and do) aspire to.
Scott Disick
Recently, Scott Disick's fashion sense has defintely borrowed more than a few cues from Kanye West. We've seen his style evolve over the past years from full-fledged bespoke Barker Black suits and custom loafers to high-end streetwear with Jordans and Cuban link gold chains. Now, he's finally found a home somewhere in between. It's old money prep meets #newrules, which is how you end up with off-duty indigo shawl cardigans with subtly cool Common Projects Achilles standing in for corny boat shoes. But don't get it twisted, he will do his damnedest to let us know he has more money than all of us.
Victor Cruz
A freak accident in the end zone has kept Team Vic out of NFL games since October, and even though we're almost positive he would prefer to be on the field helping the Giants, the style game needs him just as bad. He is a rare breed in the sports industry—truly taking fashion to a new level while not succumbing to the gaudy bullshit that his fellow athletes are constantly gallivanting in and mistakenly noting as “fashion.” Cruz's Instagram account constantly documents his love for high-end streetwear and rare sneakers, while showcasing his semi-formal side during fashion weeks across the globe. His recent modeling stint for Kith's One Stroke collaboration showed his prowess for making even the most avant-garde garments and style choices look effortlessly cool.
Travi$ Scott
Travi$ Scott is, and always has been, his own man. With a highly successful debut album in Days Before Rodeo, Scott's appearances have been plentiful, which has given us a healthy dose of his wild style. Bape and Raf Simons tops mixed with old rock tees, tattered denim and his signature dreadlocks, Travi$ is the epitome of the guy who doesn't care, but looks like he cares just enough. Take a look at his happy-go-lucky hop, skip, and jump down the runway for Mark McNairy during New York Fashion Week if you need a visual explanation.
Harry Styles
Can anyone dispute that One Direction is the most stylish boy band of all time? And the undisputed bad boy of said band, Harry Styles, may go down as one of the most stylish musicians in British music history. OK, he has a while to go before he truly proves himself a part of that discussion, but he's been consistently making a case for it with his relentless pursuit of Saint Laurent Paris coverboy status, really pulling the grungy rocker look Hedi Slimane prefers with slouchy tops, skinny denim your girl could wear, and Chelsea boots that rival Kanye West for “who wore it best?”
A$AP Rocky
He caused quite the stir with his brand-defying lyrics in “Multiply” causing hypebeasts and fanboys all over to sell, trash, even burn their Hood By Air and Been Trill gear. Only someone like A$AP Rocky, with a voice as booming in the world of fashion as his, can make this happen. This year has seen a more refined look from the Harlem rapper, bringing some of his favorite menswear brands into the fray, even starring in the brand campaign for Calvin Klein with some of today's biggest models. The respect he's garnered in the fashion industry is one that takes some people twice as long to obtain.
Kanye West
Oh, you thought Yeezy season was over? A perennial top two-er, Kanye West's influence has birthed many of the styles and trends that anyone who cares to mix high-end streetwear and couture follows today. His Maison Martin Margiela wardrobe for the Yeezus tour is one of, if not the most talked about tour wardrobe of all-time. People were climbing over each other for the calf-hair high-tops made specifically for him. He's dropped another stellar collaboration with A.P.C. He's introduced the world to brands like Haider Ackermann and Ceruti 1881. Oh, and did we forget to mention that the discussion on his upcoming adidas sneaker is up and running every single day? Seeing him around town in some of his favorite adidas models practically push them to everyone's digital shopping carts.
Pharrell
Has anyone had a better year than Pharrell? His stellar solo album (and globally infectious single) earned him six Grammy nominations. He helped bring adidas to the top of the game, pulled off tuxedo shorts on the red carpet, got hitched in a custom McNairy suit, and became the new face of Chanel. He brought his big hats and ripped denim to primetime television on The Voice for the world to be enamored by, light years behind this little niche we call menswear. Oh right, and he's proven himself as the master collaborator of our time. Pharrell has been at the forefront of original style for over a decade, turning statement pieces like a pink Céline overcoat, and more notably, a Vivienne Westwood Mountain Hat, into conversation pieces. By sticking to his sartorial guns, Pharrell's success proves that having your own distinct style trumps having a straight-off-the-runway wardrobe.