Rihanna's defining looks – in pictures

Rihanna channeling her inner lumberjack in a scruffy denim jumpsuit and Timberland boots. Made sexy with red lipstick and matching not-to-be-messed-with talons. Photograph: Beretta/Sims/Rex Features

From Angelina's awkward leg-hello to Anja Rubik's hipbone, 2012 has been the year of the thigh split. Rihanna was quick to make her mark on the look at the Stella McCartney gala. Thank God the blond phase was shortlived, though. Photograph: Ferdaus Shamim/WireImage

Heels with a baseball cap. Amazing. But the one thing to take away from Rihanna's ball-game looks is that her nails are on-point. Literally. Photograph: Noel Vasquez/Getty Images

Daytime pyjamas were another of 2012's not-so-easy-to-wear fashion memes. Here's Rihanna making it look easy in Stella McCartney. Photograph: Beretta/Sims/Rex Features

Our favourite Rihanna look. The side-swept hair and the trenchcoat recall the effortless 80s sexiness of Kathleen Turner in Body Heat. Then there's the classy minimal sandals and matching lipstick. Plus, err, hello, she's managing to pull off a coat as a dress. Photograph: SNAPPER/EROTEME.CO.UK

With the amount she wears it, we're not sure whether BOY London has been bankrolling Ri-ri, but this year her love for it has helped the brand have its first big wave of popularity since the 1980s. Photograph: Beretta/Sims/Rex Features