The New York Times: Most stylish ‘people’ of 2023

The “people” on this list — who are presented in no particular order — reflect the ways that The New York Times’ Styles desk defines its coverage: high and low; fun and serious; curious and open-minded; revelling in characters; appreciating the material world; inviting everyone to the party.

Many were recognized for being Styles-ish, others for being stylish. (Several could not have done it without the help of stylists, costume designers and other crews.) Lots came from the worlds of politics, film, TV, music, sports and fashion. But a few caught our attention in less expected places, like courtrooms.

Some had great hair. Some had singular accessories. One person had both — and was mistaken for a duchess in disguise. Certain people might surprise you or (we hope) inspire heated debate. After all, one thing they had in common is they made us talk: about what we wear, how we live and how we express ourselves.

Michelle Yeoh

The actress made history at the Oscars, became a face of Balenciaga and stood out on every red carpet.

Beyoncé

Her wardrobe for the Renaissance tour featured almost an entire season’s worth of couture looks.

Phoebe Philo

Six years after leaving Celine, fashion’s prodigal daughter returned with a namesake brand sold only online. Fans lost their minds, some over what they felt were high prices.

Frances Tiafoe

Big Foe, as the tennis player is known, scored big style points when he played the Australian Open in his colorful lava-lamp-like kit.

P.J. and Josie in ‘Bottoms’

P.J., played by Rachel Sennott, and Josie, played by Ayo Edebiri, helped to usher in a rugby shirt renaissance.

NewJeans

With a sound inspired by late ’90s and early 2000s R&B, the bunny-ears-wearing members of NewJeans climbed to the top of Billboard charts and earned various distinctions — including being the first female K-pop act to play Lollapalooza.

Rep. Patrick McHenry of North Carolina

A silver lining of watching the many House speaker votes? Seeing the outgoing Republican congressman’s various bow ties.

Jeff Bezos’ Schooner

When the boat set sail, many started to see Lauren Sánchez, a former news anchor who became engaged to the Amazon founder in May, in its figurehead. In an interview with Vogue, she denied it was her likeness, suggesting that if the figurehead were inspired by her, it would have bigger breasts.

Travis Kelce

Proximity to a certain pop star has made the Kansas City Chiefs tight end a household name — and a desirable billboard for labels like KidSuper.

Doja Cat

The singer and rapper has made an art form of altering her image, using prosthetics (and an Oscar de la Renta gown) to evoke Karl Lagerfeld’s cat at the Met Gala and covering herself in ruby crystals to complete her fiery look at a Schiaparelli couture show.

Dylan Mulvaney

The transgender influencer did not let critics of her Bud Light campaign stop her from gracing red carpets at events like the Tony Awards, where she sparkled in a semi-sheer gown.

Pharrell Williams

Since taking over menswear at Louis Vuitton, he has tapped (a pregnant) Rihanna for an ad campaign and has designed a $1 million handbag.

Gwyneth Paltrow

Perhaps the only thing more talked about than her clothes at her ski crash trial were her courtroom quips, like “Well, I lost half a day of skiing,” which inspired a wave of T-shirts and other merchandise.

The Sphere

Las Vegas’ new arena has become the biggest visual spectacle in a city full of them.

Alan Cumming in ‘The Traitors’

As host of the murderous reality TV competition, the actor gave a master class in menswear.

Lauryn Hill

Her tour celebrating the 25th anniversary of her album “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill” treated fans to nostalgia and some pretty neat costumes.

Paul Mescal

His commitment to — and command of — the mullet was remarkable.

The Ludicrously Capacious Bag in ‘Succession’

As Tom Wambsgans said in the show: “What’s even in there, huh? Flat shoes for the subway? Her lunch pail? I mean ... it’s monstrous. It’s gargantuan. You could take it camping. You could slide it across the floor after a bank job.”

Jacob Elordi

Onscreen and off, the actor has surprised people with his accessories (that eyebrow piercing in “Saltburn”) and lack thereof (walking barefoot in Los Angeles). But his best accessorizing by far has been with handbags big and small.

State Rep. Justin Jones of Tennessee

The Democratic lawmaker’s white suit became a potent political symbol when he was briefly expelled from the Tennessee legislature over a protest for gun control.

Lily Gladstone

On red carpets, the breakout star of “Killers of the Flower Moon” has a knack for mixing luxury fashion with pieces from independent and Native American designers.

M3GAN in ‘M3GAN’

The twisted doll had a killer outfit.

Greta Lee

The “Past Lives” actress dresses with a fearlessness that makes fashion fun. Her return to red carpets was among the many benefits of ending the actors’ union strike.

King Charles III

He finally got to wear St. Edward’s Crown.

Ice Spice

The rapper known for her red Afro was the inspiration for a diamond necklace, a drink at Dunkin’ and lots of Halloween costumes.

Maggie Smith

Her Loewe campaign was one the fashion world didn’t know it needed.

The AI Pope

Few of the artificially generated images that have flooded social media feeds were as fly as the rendering of Pope Francis in that puffer.

Jenna Lyons

If nothing else, the “Real Housewives of New York City” reboot was a platform to remind people how well she executes high-low style.

Jerrod Carmichael

Remember how many great outfits the comedian wore as host of the Golden Globes?

Prince Hussein and Princess Rajwa of Jordan

There was a lot of fashion at their royal wedding, but the bride and groom might have dressed the best.

Law Roach

He quit styling A-list celebrities. Or did he? Either way, he garnered a ton of attention for a job that’s mostly behind the scenes.

Kristen Kish

She’s the new host of “Top Chef,” which hopefully means more opportunities to see her in top-notch tailoring.

Jimmy Butler

After the Miami Heat lost the NBA championship, the forward kicked off a new season with a new (temporary) emo look that included facial piercings, black nail polish and 2007-era Pete Wentz hair.

Gaurav Gupta

The Indian couturier, who started his line some 20 years ago, was invited to show at Paris Couture Week for the first time. He also made the atmospheric blue gown Cardi B wore to the Grammys.

Troye Sivan

The capstone of his stylish year? When Timothée Chalamet and the band boygenius replicated a look from the singer’s “Got Me Started” video — a tight white tank, baggy blue pants and red undies — on “Saturday Night Live.”

Mark Zuckerberg

He bulked up. And he might have agreed to a cage match with Elon Musk?

Ariana Madix

The “Vanderpump Rules” cast member came out of “Scandoval” with a cover of Glamour — and possibly looking better than ever.

Amy Lau in ‘Beef’

As Amy, played by Ali Wong, unraveled, her changing hair and wardrobe perfectly captured her emotional state.

Karl Jenkins

May he forever be known as the man who is not Meghan Markle.

Mary Earps

With help from passionate fans, the keeper for England’s national women’s soccer team got Nike to issue versions of her Women’s World Cup jersey after the company initially said it wouldn’t.

Pedro Pascal

His rugged physique, along with paternal roles in “The Last of Us” and “The Mandalorian,” helped him become the internet’s daddy.

Martha Stewart

Was posing for the cover of Sports Illustrated’s swimsuit issue at 81 a bit gimmicky? Yes. Should she have any regrets? No.

Chioma Nnadi

The new top editor of British Vogue, who took over this fall after rising to become a trusted deputy of Anna Wintour during her roughly 13 years at American Vogue, is the first Black woman to lead the publication.

Miuccia Prada

Close followers of fashion have said that no other designer has been more influential lately.

President Yoon Suk Yeol of South Korea

His pitch-perfect performance of “American Pie” at the White House was worthy of “American Idol.”

Olivia Rodrigo

A rock star for Gen Z, she embodies her cohort’s love of Doc Martens and vintage, wearing archival pieces on red carpets at award shows and other events.

Chirlane McCray and Bill de Blasio

They navigated some big personal changes — their separation as a couple, his newly dyed hair — with admirable transparency.

Pamela Anderson

Between her memoir, her documentary and her makeup-free face at Paris Fashion Week, she pretty much bared it all.

Barbie in ‘Barbie’

Each Barbie in the film was as put together as the last.

Margot Robbie

But of all the people who played Barbie onscreen, none had as many moments on the pink carpet as Margot Robbie.

Sofia Richie Grainge

Bridal mood boards have not been the same since she wore a trio of custom Chanel dresses at her April wedding.

Ariana DeBose

Her show-opening rap at the BAFTA Awards was the definition of an earworm.

Lauren Wasser

Among the achievements notched by the model with golden prosthetic legs: a cover of CR Fashion Book, a Giorgio Armani campaign and a Women of the Year Award from Glamour Germany.

Robert Oppenheimer in ‘Oppenheimer’

Fedoras, trilbies and their ilk had a bit of a boom thanks to the theoretical physicist played by Cillian Murphy.

E. Jean Carroll

At her civil trial against former President Donald Trump, she supplemented her testimony with a statement-making wardrobe.

Tems

Lots of eyes were on the singer at the Oscars, partly because her gravity-defying gown blocked some guests’ view of the stage.

David and Victoria Beckham

The couple may be serious about their clothes, but as their Netflix documentary series showed, they don’t always take themselves too seriously.

The Cockroach at the Met Gala

The cockroach owned that red carpet — until it got squished.

Cher

She started dating a younger man and, with the release of a new Christmas album, tried to steal the holiday from another diva (Mariah Carey).

Pamela in “Saltburn”

Pamela, played by Carey Mulligan, had the clothes of Moira Rose and the hair of Grace Coddington.

Coco Gauff

The U.S. Open champion’s electric separates at the tennis tournament were almost as exhilarating as her performance on the court.

Taylor Swift

Chances are she got someone you know to start wearing friendship bracelets or Kansas City Chiefs gear.

Rihanna

Though she’s still keeping fans waiting for a new album, she did deliver an epic performance at the Super Bowl halftime show, where she revealed her second pregnancy while wearing a red Loewe jumpsuit, replicas of which the brand later sold — and quickly sold out of.

This article originally appeared in The New York Times.

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