 | | From left, John Fetterman, Rihanna, Lewis Hamilton, Julio Torres as Andrés in "Los Espookys," Emma Chamberlain and Queen Elizabeth. They were all included in "The 93 Most Stylish People of 2022" list. From left, Maddie McGarvey for The New York Times; Laurent VU/SIPA, via Shutterstock; Chris Graythen/Getty Images; HBO; Nina Westervelt for The New York Times; Jane Barlow/WPA Pool |
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Hello, Open Thread. Happy Boston Tea Party anniversary. Happy almost Hanukkah. There are only 15 days left in 2022. |
Here on the Styles desk we've been thinking a lot about the end of the year, as one tends to do, and this week we published our list of most stylish people of 2022, which has engendered some … let's call it "spirited debate" among readers about the 93 (yes, you read that number correctly) individuals who were selected. |
To give you a peek behind the curtain at how the feature came about, and how we ended up with the names that made it on the list, I asked Tony Rotunno, the editor who orchestrated the extravaganza, to join me for some light grilling. Here's what he said: |
What surprised you most about putting the list together? |
The number of names that I personally did not know; people like Joe Burrow (the Bengals' quarterback), the stylist Maeve Reilly and Uncle Clifford in "P-Valley," the Starz series on strip club dancers. Putting it together was like a crash course in culture that I hadn't consumed, and I consider my cultural appetite rather healthy. But the intention with such a long list was to offer some discovery, to introduce those who read it to people and characters and fashion they might otherwise never have come across. |
What was the hardest thing about choosing? |
We polled the whole desk, and the majority of people on the list were suggested by more than one staff member. But in cases where there was not as much agreement, it became a more nuanced debate. Style is very personal. |
Readers certainly took it personally! |
I'd be lying if I said I wasn't hoping the list would provoke some outrage. So you could say that some of the more passionate criticism of the list — people were especially worked up about Julia Fox and the queen (some thought we were geniuses for including her; some thought we were dodos) — was a pleasant surprise. As was the fact that the most unanimous approval seemingly came for — drumroll — Lewis Hamilton. Though I had to laugh a bit at those who vehemently dismissed all 93 names as not being worthy. |
If you could respond to readers, what would you add? |
I would like to tell Gisele Fetterman that despite her Twitter plea, we will not be doing a recount. Her husband, John Fetterman, the senator-elect from Pennsylvania, is a stylish person. |
Had you ever made a list like this before? |
I started my career as an assistant to the former Vanity Fair editor Graydon Carter, so for a few years I got to watch him and other editors put together the International Best Dressed List and the New Establishment List. Later, as an editor at New York magazine's Strategist section, I sort of adapted the concept to create two holiday gift guides, asking groups of tastemakers to share a favorite gift. |
Did those lists get people as worked up as this one? |
I think it's fair to say no. |
And have a good, safe weekend. For those celebrating, Chag urim sameach. |
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Your Style Questions, Answered |
Every week on Open Thread, Vanessa will answer a reader's fashion-related question, which you can send to her anytime via email or Twitter. Questions are edited and condensed. |
 | | Jennifer Garner and Violet Affleck arrive at the White House this month for the state dinner for President Emmanuel Macron of France. T.J. Kirkpatrick for The New York Times |
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We have been invited to the fanciest house I can imagine for a holiday party (OK, the White House). My husband expects to wear a suit, with perhaps a holiday tie. A simple black or navy dress is my usual go-to, but that feels too basic and business-y; on the other hand, I also don't want to look like a Christmas tree. Any suggestions on how to be festive, but appropriate? I would like to find something that I can wear over and over again. — Alice, Elmsford, N.Y. |
We spend a lot of time obsessing over basic items like the perfect white shirt or the perfect pair of jeans. That's understandable, because those are the garments we wear most often in our everyday lives. But the perfect party dress, especially the perfect festive party dress — one that walks that fine line between celebratory and too much, polite and too boring, that calls just enough attention to itself for respect but not so much that it becomes annoying, like a pushy guest — is equally hard to find. If not harder. Especially a party dresses that stands the test of changing times (and changing bodies). Not to mention changing environments, with changing expectations. |
After all, it's hard to shake the dream of Cinderella. Even if it's Cinderella in business cocktail attire. |
A great dress, one that lifts your spirits and makes you feel as shiny and effervescent as the bubbles in your champagne flute, is an alchemical experience. It gives you the confidence to enter a room, even if you don't know many people there — even if you're wondering how in the world you ended up in the room. But where do you start? |
With a hack, according to the designer Batsheva Hay. "A little sparkle or shine is," she said, "the most straightforward way to be 'festive,' rather than wearing red and green and camouflaging with the tree." |
Indeed, my go-to solution for any party that also involves a certain gravitas is what I call "casual sequins." That may sound like an oxymoron, but consider a sequined T-shirt dress, a long sequined skirt or a pair of trousers worn with a casual sweater or crisp shirt. The sparkle says "party," but the silhouette isn't trying too hard or showing too much and, because it's so relaxed, makes it easy to move. The last thing you want to be doing at any party is fiddling uncomfortably with your clothing. (I resort to this option so often that my children have forbidden me to buy more sequined clothing.) |
If you prefer not to embrace the sparkle full on, Ms. Hay also pointed out that "some chunky costume jewelry and a sparkly bag or shoe" will dress up any simple black or navy look. |
Along those lines, here's another shortcut: Forget "dress" and think "outfit." Next, think "velvet tuxedo jacket." Channel Saint Laurent paired with a silk shell top, some narrow black pants and high heels, and it will be impossible for you not to feel powerful and elegant in pretty much any situation. |
And one final hack, courtesy of my colleague Lindsey Underwood, who has actually been at a White House event: Choose "a rich color," like burgundy or another jewel tone. And then remember, she said, that "there will be a lot of walking and standing." "If you are wearing a floor-length gown or skirt, opt for flats, and even sneakers," she continued. |
You'll be able to hold your own all night, she said, "and no one will be the wiser." |
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