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25 of History's Greatest Style Icons, Ranked

Teach us your ways, oh great ones

In a world full of boring red carpets lined with stylist-approved iterations of the same gown, it’s refreshing to be reminded that there are (and were) celebs who go (and went) against the grain. Here, 25 style icons, ranked from “Can we be you?” to “Seriously, can we please be you?”

icons bianca
Vinnie Zuffante/Getty Images

25. Bianca Jagger

Really makes us wish we had gone to Studio 54.

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Kevin.Mazur/Getty Images

24. Courtney Love

Kind of a mess but you know you wanted those slip dresses.

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Dominique Charriau/Getty Images

23. Tilda Swinton

There's a very real chance she might be an alien…and we mean that in the greatest way possible.

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Ian Gavan/Getty Images

22. Cate Blanchett

Oft confused with the previous, Blanchett takes almost as many risks, just in a slightly more elegant way.

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Joseph McKeown/Getty Images

21. Grace Kelly

Regal as hell.

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Tim Graham/Getty Images

20. Diana, Princess Of Wales

Same, TBH. 

willkate9

19. Kate Middleton

Making princess fashion accessible since 2010.

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Jean-Pierre BONNOTTE/Getty Images

18. Brigitte Bardot

The hair envy is real.

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Barry King/Getty Images

17. Grace Jones

The definition of fierce.

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Earl Theisen Collection/Getty Images

16. Marilyn Monroe

Just as chic in high-waisted bikinis as she was in cropped pants and sweaters.

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Amanda Edwards/Getty Images

15. Lupita Nyong'o

The cape dress that launched a billion girl crushes. 

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Andrew Toth/Getty Images

14. Jenna Lyons

Quirky and wonderful.

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James Devaney/Getty Images

13. Lauren Hutton

Ageless, timeless, classic. 

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Kevin Mazur/Getty Images

12. Beyonce

Bow down.

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Taylor Hill/Getty Images

11. Mary-kate And Ashley Olsen

Proving it’s OK to never not wear black, especially as a package duo.

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Daniel Zuchnik/Getty Images

10. Solange Knowles

Sorry, Bey, but Solange has the edge here.

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ABC Photo Archives/Getty Images

9. Diana Ross

Seventies glamour at its finest.

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Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images

8. Katharine Hepburn

No dresses, no problems. 

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Larry Busacca/Getty Images

7. Kate Moss

No bras, no problems.

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Fin Costello/Getty Images

6. Stevie Nicks

When you have a type of sleeve associated with your name, you've made it.

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Dave J Hogan/Getty Images

5. Madonna

Decades later, the cone bra is still iconic.

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Darlene Hammond/Getty Images

4. Cher

Thank God for Bob Mackie.

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Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images

3. Rihanna

Dare we say...the modern-day Cher?

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Tom Wargacki/Getty Images

2. Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis

But it's not all shock and sparkles that make an icon. You still need the patron saint of prep.

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Pictorial Parade/Getty Images

1. Audrey Hepburn

Cliché as it may be, there’s a reason her posters decorate one in every three college dorm rooms.


stief author

Wellness Director

  • Oversees wellness content
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  • Has worked in lifestyle media for 11 years

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