The best dressed women in Britain?

When I saw this  UK Harper’s Bazaar Best Dressed in Britain list supplement this morning, I was both pleasantly surprised and outraged all at the same time because some of the entries were shockingly bad and some were just very random!  See what you guys think…

1) Gwyneth Paltrow – For her to claim first place in the list is pretty shocking.  According to the Harper’s, by incorporating a bit of Topshop into her daytime wardrobe it has given her a more ‘British vibe’ and this apparently warrants her first place.  Ridiculous!  If the stereotype of British style is about risk-taking, then Gwyneth in her Ralph Lauren and Valentino gowns does not represent this at all!

2) Kate Moss – Quelle surprise!  I would have preferred her to take first place, not because I think highly of her style but only because it would make more sense to me and not baffle me so.  It is so cliched but I do think she gets the mix of vintage, designer and high street just right.  For me, she epitomises the quintessential elements of British style. 

3) Thandie Newton – Just lovely.  I’m happy that she’s been getting all these red carpet opportunities because she does pick the most exquisite pieces.  I can’t really vouch for her candid style as I haven’t seen that many pictures but I sense that she has naturally impeccable taste.  It helps that she’s jaw droppingly gorgeous too. 

4) Liberty Ross – I think she gets it right a lot of the time.  Nothing groundbreaking though and more to the point, nothing to warrant 4th place.  She wears a Philip Treacy hat and apparently, that makes her ‘funky’.  Seems to me, she relies on lots of great black dresses (not as bad as Queen of the Black dress Jennifer Aniston though…).   

5) Sienna Miller – Ah her influence has slowly waned, I think she was number 1 last time I got one of these things.  I don’t rate her style at all only because she confuses me.  Is she boho chic?  Is she a mod?  Of all people, I should understand schizophrenic style but I feel her outfits look like she is letting the trend guide her and she’s not really putting her own spin on things. 

6) Laura Bailey – I think she’s fabulous.  I think the Harper’s blurb has nailed her correctly: ‘part polished Parisian (she wears Chanel like a second skin); part English eccentric (all mussed up hair and Marni); and part London edge (she combines Topshop and Vivienne Westwood with aplomb).’ 

7) Peaches Geldof – Yes, as in Bob Geldof’s daughter.  This was REALLY surprising but pleasantly so.  I’m glad someone as young as her got into the list because usually it’s full of yummy mummies.  I quite like her style but I also see a lot of girls in London who dress exactly as she does – probably because she wears a whole lot of high street to red carpet dos.  I think her style is very age-appropriate. 

8) Yasmin le Bon – I’m on the fence with this one.  Her style doesn’t rock my boat but she does have a beautiful vintage wardrobe.  Somehow though, the pieces she does wear manage to look a little ‘off’.  This Matthew Williamson outfit on the right is just not quite right in my opinion.  I can’t really say she has a signature style either. 

9) Zadie Smith – Wonderful author, style – only so-so for me.  Another surprise entry I think – I suppose it gives a more well-rounded picture of British celebrity style.  Her choice of vintage and labels like Sara Berman puts a new spin on the artsy boho look.  I love the way she wears her hair though in that tight chignon with flowers in it – reminds me of Billie Holiday. 

10) Madonna – Horrors of all horrors!  Yes, she looks fabulous for someone of her age but 10th most stylish in Britain?  Me thinks not!  I mean she wears Dunhill jumpers over Juicy Couture tracksuits.  Again, does she have a signature style?  Is it all her own doing?  Who knows…..

The rest of the Top 50 list was far more impressive in my opinion.  Highlights included Daphne Guiness, Alison Mosshart (of The Kills), Sheherazad Goldsmith, Jan de Villeneuve, Daisy Lowe and Valentine Fillol Cordier – less well known perhaps but SO much more stylish in my opinion.