10 Power Dressers With Style So Bold, They've Become Our 2016 Fashion Icons

Since she became our style icon, Amal Clooney has proved she has an outfit for every occasion. When she walks the red carpet with her husband, actor George Clooney, she wears elegant, shimmering dresses that turn heads — and she's stepped out for plenty of events like these this year alone. When it comes to workwear, Amal lets herself veer on the playful side. Just consider this colorblock ensemble that looks straight out of Mad Men. The lawyer and activist managed to work some key trends and bright colors into an office-appropriate look, and that has become her style rule: get a little funky, but always finish your separates with a final touch of class.

Emma Watson has made it her purpose to use her fame for a good cause. She's a self-described femininst and has gathered fans who view her as a role model both sartorially and politically. When it comes to the red carpet, Emma vowed to "go green" in 2015, challenging herself to wear clothes by ethical designers who practice sustainable methods of production. All her looks have stayed true to her signature style: classic-with-a-twist pantsuits and dresses that come off as demure, first and foremost.

Hillary Clinton's been admired for her colorful pantsuits since she stepped into the public eye during her husband Bill Clinton's presidency. But this year, Ms. Clinton launched her own campaign, and we noticed something special about her fashion choices: though she still opts for separates that are vibrant and eye-catching, the fit of her clothing is relaxed, sometimes slouchy, and forgiving. In short, her outfits look comfortable — which is, in our opinion, a very important aspect of power dressing. When you trust your outfit, you trust your confidence and your public performance. Hillary's got this strategic way of dressing down, and has therefore become a style icon in our eyes.

Olivia Pope’s been known for her crisp white coats and structured suits since Scandal premiered. Her wardrobe in 2015 was as sophisticated as ever, but she wore a few more luxe, ladylike separates this year. Just look at her cream Prada Saffiano satchel. Olivia proved that you can be a smart working woman and still have an eye for style at the same time.

Annalise Keating may be a lawyer and professor, but she proves it’s possible to get a little feminine in the court room. Actress Viola Davis’s character opts for sexy, formfitting silhouettes that are nothing short of colorful. She flaunts her looks with a purpose, and you’d never even think of telling her that her dress is "too risky" — she owns each and every one. In fact, her fashion sense is partly how she shows off her fierce personality.

Julia Louis-Dreyfus plays the President of the United States in Veep, officially taking office in the most recent season of the HBO series. For that reason, her silhouettes offer a bit more coverage — she tends toward collars, blazers, and appropriate coats and formalwear. But Selina Meyer has a power color, and that color is red. Whether she’s wearing it in the form of a gown at a party or accessorized with a simple necklace, you can tell it's the shade that makes her glow and feel most confident. Taking on a role that requires plenty of public appearances and giving speeches at a podium also requires a bold face, and cherry-red helps the POTUS achieve that.

2015 was the most crucial year for Robin Wright’s House of Cards character. Claire Underwood stepped up to the plate as First Lady, and also demanded that her husband, Frank, nominate her for a United Nations post. So, how did that affect her wardrobe? The color palette of Claire’s costumes got lighter — highlighting her every curve and, in a way, exposing her more than ever. Her tight-fitting dresses and some elegant gowns broke down a sort of barrier between her and the audience, revealing her relatable side — because a woman in office should totally have one.

While Angelina Jolie doesn't commonly attend parties or walk red carpets on the regular, she's had many projects this year that have put her in the public eye. While Angelina wearing a classic tuxedo has become an iconic image in our minds, the star switched things up in 2015. At her movie premieres, Angelina chose long, gracious gowns and minimal accessories. For work-related events, the activist and actress has tried on neutral skirts like this one and power pumps like these patent Christian Louboutins, proving power dressing can involve changing up your go-to uniform from time to time.

One of our favorite things about Michelle Obama's wardrobe is that it's complete with plenty of American designers. The FLOTUS loves to show her pride for her country's best artists, and she embraces the fashion world. Since part of her job is to travel, Ms. Obama maintains her style sense when she visits new places, but pays homage to international designers, too. In June 2015, Michelle touched down in London with her daughters, wearing a dress from UK-based label Preen. It was a perfectly fitting, feminine number that spoke to the Summer season and Michelle's bright, standout personality. The first lady continues to making similar fashion choices wherever she goes, and it's become her signature dressing technique.

Queen Letizia of Spain knows that every power dresser has room in her closet for a little bit of glamour. While she routinely repeats some of her most classic outfits, Letizia is mindful of trends — like this leather shift dress and strappy printed pumps — and she adds little details to her looks that scream, "I'm a fashion girl at heart." In 2015, she certainly wasn't ashamed of her rising status as a style icon, slipping into luxe jumpsuits and glitzy, embellished dresses that gained her attention — and why shouldn't they?