Dress of the Year

Dress of the Year selections
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2017 Dior Tshirt, jacket & skirt; 2010 Vivienne Westwood silk dress;1972 Biba red dress & boots; 2023 Bianca Saunders printed men’s suit; 1984 Bodymap striped ensemble; 1985 Scott Crolla men’s velvet & brocade outfit; 2000 Versace green silk dress

The centrepiece of the contemporary collection is the Dress of the Year scheme, established in 1963. Each year, the Fashion Museum invites a respected expert from the fashion industry to select a Dress of the Year that encapsulates the prevailing mood of fashion. Designers chosen over the years include Ossie Clark, Karl Lagerfeld, Donatella Versace, Kenzo Takada, John Galliano, Alexander McQueen, Vivienne Westwood and Bianca Saunders.

Discover 60 years of Dress of the Year

Dress of the Year Gallery

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Grey wool dress and cream chiffon blouse
1963 Mary Quant. Trilby hat by Reed Crawford. Boots by Anello and Davide
Selector: Fashion Writers’ Association
Liberty print silk dress
1964 Jean Muir/Jane & Jane. Shoes by Christian Dior/Charles Jourdan.
Selector: Fashion Writers’ Association
Orange print linen and mesh midriff shift dress
1965 John Bates/Jean Varon
Selector: Fashion Writers’ Association
Clear PVC mac
1966 Michèle Roisier. Visor hat by Simone Mirman. Boots by Elliott
Selector: Ernestine Carter, The Sunday Times
Orange and pink trouser suit
1967 David Bond/Slimma. Hat by Edward Mann
Selector: Felicity Green, The Daily Mirror
Black and white spotted cotton voile below-the-knee dress
1968 Jean Muir
Selector: Ailsa Garland, Fashion
Chiffon and satin trouser suit with print by Celia Birtwell
1969 Ossie Clark/Quorum. Shoes by Rayne
Selector: Prudence Glynn, The Times
Plaid wool skirt, cotton blouse, waistcoat and boots
1970 Bill Gibb. Waistcoat by Kaffe Fassett. Boots by The Chelsea Cobbler
Selector: Beatrix Miller, Vogue
Hot pants suit in Liberty printed cotton
1971 Graziella Fontana/Judith Hornby. Sandals by Ravel
Selector: Serena Sinclair, The Daily Telegraph
Man’s black velvet evening suit.
1971 Rupert Lycett Green/Blades
Selector: the Earl of Lichfield
Girl’s red and white spotted dress and hat with over-the-knee boots
1972 Biba
Selector: Moira Keenan, The Sunday Times
Girl’s checked cotton dress and pinafore
1972 Bobby Hillson
Selector: Moira Keenan, The Sunday Times
Boy’s navy blue corded trousers, roll neck jumper and tank top
1972 Orange Hand
Selector: Moira Keenan, The Sunday Times
Woman’s white wool coat and matching hat
1973 Jorn Lanberg/Christian Dior for Diorling
Selector: Alison Adburgham, The Guardian
Man’s jacket and checked trousers
1973 Yves Saint Laurent for Rive Gauche
Selector: Alison Adburgham, The Guardian
Woman’s knitted ensemble
1974 Missoni
Selector: Jennifer Hocking, Harpers & Queen
Man’s knitted cardigan ensemble
1974 Missoni. Shoes by Pasquali
Selector: Jennifer Hocking, Harpers & Queen
Cream silk organza wedding ensemble and man’s frock coat with moiré silk lapels
1975 Womenswear by Gina Fratini. Menswear by Tommy Nutter. Brogues by The Chelsea Cobbler
Selector: Anna Harvey, Brides magazine
Man’s jeans and striped hand-knitted jumper
1976 Fiorucci
Selector: Helena Matheopoulos, the Daily Express
Two co-ordinated printed cotton ensembles
1976 Kenzo Takada/Jap
Selector: Helena Matheopoulos, the Daily Express
Khaki cotton belted dress with straw hat and plimsolls
1977 Kenzo Takada/Jap
Selector: Ann Boyd, The Observer
Man’s ensemble in wool and tweed
1978 Lucien Foncel/Cerruti
Selector: Barbara Griggs, the Daily Mail
Woman’s separates ensemble of printed cotton tunic, skirt and trousers, worn with black leather skirt and coat.
1978 Gordon Luke Clarke
Selector: Barbara Griggs, The Daily Mail
Black jersey dress, beret and tailored leather jacket
1979 Jean Muir. Shoes by Manolo Blahnik for Zapata
Selector: Geraldine Ranson, The Sunday Telegraph
Red striped silk dress with leather belt, worn with wooden jewellery
1980 Calvin Klein. Shoes by Diego Della Valle
Selector: Michael Roberts, The Sunday Times
White bold print silk evening dress and flat red patent shoes with mesh inserts
1981 Karl Lagerfeld/Chloé. Jewellery by Ugo Correani
Selector: Vanessa de Lisle, Harper’s & Queen
Blue suede jacket, chamois leather skirt and cotton shirt
1982 Nigel Preston/Maxfield Parrish. Shoes by Manolo Blahnik for Zapata. Belts by Mulberry
Selector: Grace Coddington, Vogue
Linen skirt, waistcoat and shirt
1982 Margaret Howell
Selector: Grace Coddington, British Vogue
Linen dress and coat
1983 Sheridan Barnett. Shoes by Manolo Blahnik
Selector: Sally Brampton, The Observer
Man’s slogan T-shirt and cotton trousers
1984 Katharine Hamnett
Selector: Brenda Polan, The Guardian
Striped dress and cardigan with hat and scarf
1984 Betty Jackson
Selector: Brenda Polan, The Guardian
Striped jumper and skirt, stockings and hat
1984 David Holah and Stevie Stewart/Body Map
Selector: Brenda Polan, The Guardian
Black silk and gold lamé evening dress
1985 Bruce Oldfield. Shoes by Charles Jourdan. Jewellery by Marla Buck
Selector: Suzy Menkes, The Times
Man’s brocade patchwork shirt, crushed velvet trousers and ikat mules
1985 Scott Crolla
Selector: Suzy Menkes, The Times
Woman’s grey checked wool jacket and skirt worn with black suede shoes
1986 Giorgio Armani
Selector: Colin McDowell, Country Life
Man’s soft tailored wool suit worn with brogues
1986 Giorgio Armani
Selector: Colin McDowell, Country Life
Checked cotton ensemble and ‘tilt’ hat
1987 John Galliano. Shoes by Patrick Cox
Selector: Debbi Mason, Elle
Denim ‘pinafore’ and mesh dress with beret
1988 Jean-Paul Gaultier/ Junior Gaultier
Selector: Jeff Banks, The Clothes Show
Embroidered velvet ‘parka’ ensemble
1989 Rifat Ozbek
Selector: Kathryn Samuel, The Daily Telegraph
Midnight blue velvet trouser suit with organza blouse
1990 Romeo Gigli
Selector: Joan Burstein, Browns boutique
Pink tweed bouclé jacket, denim skirt, baseball hat with shoes and Chanel logo costume jewellery
1991 Karl Lagerfeld/Chanel
Selector: Elizabeth Tilberis, Vogue
Black and white pinstripe trouser suit and shirt
1992 Ralph Lauren
Selector: Liz Smith, The Times
Plum wool and stretch velvet dress, hat and boots
1993 Donna Karan
Selector: Glenda Bailey, Marie Claire
Black bias-cut silk evening dress
1994 John Galliano
Selector: Meredith Etherington Smith, Harper’s & Queen
Beaded ivory silk satin wedding dress. Shoes by Emma Hope. Man’s ivory silk damask Nehru jacket, wool trousers and embroidered waistcoat.
1995 Womenswear by Catherine Rayner. Shoes by Emma Hope. Menswear by Tom Gilbey
Selector: Sandra Boler, Brides magazine
Woman’s red and black brocade tunic with slashed detail and red ‘bumster’ trousers
1996 Alexander McQueen
Selector: Tamsin Blanchard, The Independent
Man’s blue suit and shirt
1996 Paul Smith
Selector: Tamsin Blanchard, The Independent
Purple velvet evening coat with fur collar
1997 Deborah Milner
Selector: Isabella Blow, The Sunday Times
Black corset. Black sculpted ‘bonnet’.
1997 Corset by Mr Pearl. Hat by Philip Treacy
Selector: Isabella Blow, The Sunday Times
Beaded knitted evening dress and coat
1997 Lainey Keogh
Selector: Isabella Blow, The Sunday Times
Gold knitted rayon and horsehair ‘mermaid’ dress
1997 Julien Macdonald
Selector: Isabella Blow, The Sunday Times
Purple evening dress with sunburst bead embroidery
1997 Hussein Chalayan
Selector: Isabella Blow, The Sunday Times
Woman’s black knitted sweater, combat trousers and pink marabou stole. Man’s grey suit, white T-shirt and knee-length puffa jacket.
1998 Womenswear by Sonia Rykiel. Menswear by Chris Bailey/ Jigsaw
Selector: Iain R. Webb, ELLE
Cream lace dress, leather collar and sandals
1999 Alexander McQueen
Selector: Susannah Frankel, The Independent
Green bamboo print silk chiffon dress and jewelled mules
2000 Donatella Versace/ Versace
Selector: Lisa Armstrong, The Times
Black ‘peasant’ top ensemble and ‘gladiator’ boots
2001 Tom Ford/Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Selector: Alexandra Shulman, Vogue
Black patchwork knit and jersey dress and distressed cow-hide brogues
2002 Junya Wattanabe
Selector: Hilary Alexander, The Daily Telegraph
Colourful printed cotton ensemble and jewellery-encrusted shoulder bag
2003 Marni
Selector: Lucinda Chambers, Vogue
Gold ‘Chinese dragon’ printed silk evening dress
2004 Tom Ford/ Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Selector: Sarajane Hoare, Vanity Fair
Woman’s green silk faille dress, necklace and shoes
2005 Alber Elbaz/Lanvin
Selector: Charlie Porter, GQ
Man’s ‘short leg’ wool suit
2005 Thom Browne
Selector: Charlie Porter, GQ magazine
Olive-green coat with fur patch pockets
2006 Prada
Selector: Sarah Mower, www.vogue.com
Orange ‘Troubadour’ silk satin dress with accompanying gigantic knit scarf
2007 Giles Deacon/GILES. Shoes by Gina
Selector: Hywel Davies
Gold star and navy blue silk gauze trouser ensemble
2008 Karl Lagerfeld/Chanel
Selector: Paula Reed, Grazia
Black dress with heart print motif
2008 Kate Moss/Topshop
Selector: Paula Reed, Grazia
Black and white lace panel ‘body-con’ dress
2009 Antonio Berardi
Selector: Lucy Yeomans, Harper's Bazaar
Pale green ribbed watered silk dress
2010 Vivienne Westwood
Selector: Stephen Jones
Ivory silk evening dress embroidered with feathers and silver bullion eagle motifs
2011 Sarah Burton/Alexander McQueen
Selector: Hamish Bowles, Vogue (USA)
Embroidered cut-off ‘ballgown’ and black silk trousers
2012 Raf Simons/Christian Dior
Selector: Vanessa Friedman, The Financial Times
Pink silk organza dress decorated with lace, gems and gaffer tape
2013 Christopher Kane. Shoes by Sophia Webster. Cap by Nasir Mazhar
Selector: Susanna Lau, www.stylebubble.co.uk
Plastic coat and wrap ensemble, worn with tied kimono-style belt and twisted calico boot trousers
2014 Gareth Pugh
Selector: Katie Grand, LOVE magazine
Blue cotton jacket and trousers with frame; Blue plastic quilted jacket and quilted trousers
2015 Craig Green
Selector: Gordon Richardson, Topman
Woman’s cream mohair tweed asymmetric fringed knitted dress with gold leaf leather bustier, bracelets and tan leather bag. Man’s cream oversized knitted cardigan, worn with ribbed knit trousers, white shirt and red boxing-style training boots
2016 Womenswear by Jonathan Anderson/Loewe. Menswear by JW Anderson
Selector: Kate Phelan, British Vogue
White cotton ‘We Should All Be Feminists’ print T-shirt, worn with black wool jacket and black tulle skirt with black knitted underwear
2017 Maria Grazia Chiuri/Dior
Selector: Sarah Bailey, Red magazine
Woman’s silk embroidered redingote style coat, light blue jersey shorts and ‘Archlight’ sneakers
2018 Nicolas Ghesquière/Louis Vuitton
Selector: Alexander Fury
Man’s light pink cashmere twill double-breasted ‘Tailleur Oblique’ jacket and high waist wide trousers, sneakers, necklace and duffle bag
2018 Kim Jones/Dior Men
Selector: Alexander Fury
Pink tulle dress
2019 Giambattista Valli/H&M
Selector: Donna Wallace
A Dress of Hope: handcrafted ensemble made from antique table linen, bed linen and lace trimmings
2020 Ibrahim Kamara and Gareth Wrighton
Selector: Iain R Webb
Patchwork and appliqué cashmere and cotton kimono ensemble
2020 Daisy Robbins
Selector: Iain R Webb
Blood orange satin padded bomber jacket, PVC trousers (worn as scarf), hoodie, bodysuit and mask
2020 Francesco Colucci
Selector: Iain R Webb
Black cotton ‘Black Lives Matter’ print T-shirt
2020 Black Lives Matter
Selector: Iain R Webb
Khaki cotton twill scrubs with mask, bucket hat and bag
2020 Ian Jeffries/Marine Garment
Selector: Iain R Webb
Camel cashmere and brown leather cape worn by Naomi Campbell, with Tyvek hazmat suit, facemask and pink latex gloves
2020 Riccardo Tisci/Burberry
Selector: Iain R Webb
Matt viscose jersey dress with felt appliqué nipple design
2020 Iain R Webb
Selector: Iain R Webb
Black triple silk georgette dress with deep front, lotus flower embroidery. S/S 2022 Cruise Collection. As worn by Meghan, Duchess of Sussex
2021 Giorgio Armani
Selectors: Ibrahim Kamara and Gareth Wrighton, Dazed magazine
Micro pleated low-waisted skirt and cropped sweater ensemble (skirt, sweater, shirt, belt, bra, knickers, shoes and socks)
2022 Miu Miu
Selector: Kenya Hunt, ELLE UK
White tulle dress and gloves with pink and green printed silk panels and large green sequin daisies, S/S 2023
2023 Simone Rocha
Selector: Caroline Rush, Chief Executive British Fashion Council
Printed cotton menswear ensemble (belted coat, shirt and trousers) specially commissioned for The Missing Thread: Untold Stories of Black British Fashion exhibition at Somerset House (2023) inspired by the work of Black British textile designer Althea McNish
2023 Bianca Saunders
Selector: Caroline Rush, Chief Executive British Fashion Council
Light blue cotton shirt, striped boxer-style shorts worn with white crew socks, classic black Horsebit loafers, and sunglasses. S/S 25
2024: Gucci
Selector: Tim Blanks, The Business of Fashion
Silk and denim all-in-one camisole and jeans ensemble, paired with a soft cardigan and accompanied by an organza embroidered baguette bag. A/W 24/5
2024: UNDERCOVER. Bag by Brigitte Tanaka
Selector: Tim Blanks, The Business of Fashion