Carey Mulligan seems to be the ‘It girl’ of the moment, but she’s one with substance. Currently in Cannes promoting two movies, The Great Gatsby and Inside Llewyn Davis, she’s been a recent regular on the red carpet – much to our delight.
While promoting Never Let Me Go, Carey favored feminine, floaty dresses in warm colors. A Proenza Schouler pleated mustard tea dress with YSL pumps was a cute look that softened her short hair. Sunny yellow Bottega Veneta stripes – from their spring 2010 collection – were the perfect choice for a luncheon held in her honor by the Diamond Information Center.
Eye-catching digital prints were another key element of Carey’s earlier red carpet looks. This beach print by Prada was lengthened and given a more demure design than what went down the runway. We also love the alternate version in earthy colors that she wore for a photo call at the 2010 Cannes festival.
It was wonderful to see Carey championing UK designer talent. With these Christopher Kane and Erdem galaxy prints, Carey shows a playful but high fashion side to her developing style.
The skater dress style – with a nipped in waist and flared skirt – works well for Carey, due to her elfin features and petite figure. These Prada and Miu Miu purple frocks were simple and immaculate.
Just as easily, though, Carey can rock the edgier styles. These leather Christopher Kane and Prada dresses managed to project elegance thanks to lace and laser-cut details.
Showing that a little black dress doesn’t have to be boring, Carey stepped out in 2010 in an Elie Saab black lace creation – finished with smoky eye-makeup and her trademark cropped blonde locks. She later paired the same peep-toe pumps with a halter-neck sequined number, for a similarly dramatic effect.
Here are two of Carey’s most notable earlier looks, thanks to her award nominations for An Education. At the 2010 Oscars, she wore an iconic Prada design, embellished with tiny silverware. How cute is that? At the BAFTAs – where she scooped up Best Actress in a Leading Role – she wowed in this floral Vionnet number.
At the 2012 Met Ball she was iridescent in a custom Prada metallic halter. The Italian fashion house has been a firm favorite of Carey’s over the years. Miuccia designed the costumes for Daisy Buchanan in The Great Gatsby, as well as Carey’s wedding dress that she wore to marry Marcus Mumford last summer.
Recently, Carey has embraced a sleeker, minimalist approach to fashion. At this year’s punk Met Ball, she gave a subtle nod to the theme in this design from Alexander Wang’s first season at Balenciaga. She must have loved his collection because, only a few weeks later, she wore this jumpsuit at Cannes for the Gatsby photo call.
She’s also been having something of a love affair with tuxes. At Tiffany’s Blue Book Ball she wore this unusual tuxedo cape by Victoria Beckham. With minimal makeup and diamond drop earrings, she struck a distinctive silhouette.
Her favorite house for the androgynous style, however, seems to be Lanvin. The media has commented on her audacity for daring to wear the same suit twice (what a scandal!). But why not, when she looks so incredible? Whether it’s to distance herself from the very feminine Daisy Buchanan – or simply discovering her own style – we love that Carey’s carving out a striking look that’s all her own.
The beauty of the black and white trend is that it can be incorporated into feminine looks too. In this Vionnet number worn at the Cannes screening of Inside Llewyn Davis she was fresh-faced and radiant. Can we also just say that Justin Timberlake may be the best accessory a girl can have on the red carpet?
She’s not afraid to still don a bit of color, though. Besides the Lanvin red dress worn to the Tiffany party for The Great Gatsby – which was absolutely stunning – she’s also developed a penchant for navy shifts. She looked gorgeous, again in Balenciaga, for a Gatsby luncheon held at New York’s public library. A Chloe Fall/Winter 2013 dress finished with Louboutins was the perfect choice for a daytime appearance at Cannes.
Carey is consistently on point in her style off the red carpet too. While the Prabal Gurung for Target party is technically a public appearance, we loved her leather-trimmed jacket from The Row, which toughened up a pink blush top. Cool accessories in black leather are a clear staple of hers.
Pink blush hues occasionally feature in her more glamorous looks too; she hasn’t quite given up on color yet. This satin Dior number has been unfavorably likened to the dress Gwyneth Paltrow wore to collect her Oscar, but we think the superior fit and strong red lips set it apart. A Nina Ricci bustier with her trusted leather-trimmed peg pants brings an unexpected sexiness to the Sydney Gatsby premiere.
What do you think of Carey’s evolving style? Which outfits of hers do you love? Let us know in the comments!
