by Christian Allaire-Vogue
This year was unquestionably the year of stylish link-ups. Celebrity couples took complementary outfits to the next level, matching their looks both on the red carpet—glitzy black tie affairs and all—as well as in their everyday lives. (Some well-dressed twosomes even put in the effort to serve a united lewk while simply grabbing their morning coffee.)
What exactly did the year’s best dressed couples wear? Some of them opted for simple, elegant pieces, such as the consistently polished looks we saw from royals like Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, or from world leaders like French President and First Lady Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron. Other duos chose eye-popping streetwear looks: Hailey Baldwin and Justin Bieber, and Bella Hadid and The Weeknd embraced buzzy labels, which made for experimental twinning that was thrilling to watch.
Below, more couples style highlights from 2018.
Date Night Masters
These couples always made sure to match for their nights out, whether heading to dinner or taking in the latest fashion parties. Leading the group was Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez: the couple known as J-Rod twinned all year long, coordinating everything from athleisure to vacation yacht looks. Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra also did complementary style, one of the most notable moments being their black tie ensembles at Ralph Lauren’s 50th anniversary show. And who could forget Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds, who are repeat color coordinators.
Everyday Classicists
Never an off-day in sight, these duos mastered the art of everyday style with outfits that are always polished and never too trendy. Ever since tying the knot in May, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have stepped out in ensembles that are youthful, yet elegant—an aesthetic that is expected of a royal couple. Other consistently stylish pairings included Victoria and David Beckham, who stole the show at the royal wedding, as well as Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron, who proved that they are always on the same fashion page, choosing streamlined looks on- and off-duty.
The Cool Kids
Ah, young love: For these flourishing couples, the fashion memo for 2018 was more cutting-edge streetwear and designer labels. The on-and-off again duo Bella Hadid and The Weeknd showcased their penchant for matching bomber jackets, chunky sneakers, and graphic T-shirts. So did Kylie Jenner and Travis Scott, who took the Met Gala red carpet in all-black Alexander Wang looks. For newlyweds Justin and Hailey Bieber, his grungy, Californian skateboarder aesthetic paired well with her Instagirl vibe (think lots of oversize coats, bike shorts, and more).
More-is-More Maximalists
With ensembles that are artfully clashed—yet somehow cohesive—these daring pairings embraced the fun in fashion this year. Think: statement pieces, over-the-top jewelry, and lots of sparkle. Beyoncé and Jay-Z gave fashion fans a feast for the eyes during their On The Run II tour, banging out one theatrical getup after the next. Gucci Mane and Keyshia Ka’oir consistently shut down the step and repeat with their maximalist outfits. And last but certainly not least, rapper duo Cardi B and Offset also proved OTT fashion is their bread and butter, where they were most recently spotted courtside drippin’ in blinding jewels.
Ones to Watch
These new, still-developing couples are the ones to watch in 2019. Recently-engaged Zoë Kravitz and Karl Glusman have been finding their style stride—her penchant for Saint Laurent dresses matches his sleek, skinny-suited aesthetic—and are sure to continue nailing the red carpet next year. And ending on a case of “are they or aren’t they?”: Tessa Thompson and Janelle Monae are reportedly just close friends, though speculation that they are a secret couple has been brewing for quite some time. Regardless, if it is true, the duo would be a fashion dream come true: Monae’s playful style goes hand-in-hand with Thompson’s killer fashion eye.