Today is Carey Mulligan's 29th birthday! Though we first fell in love with her in the 2005 adaptation of Pride & Prejudice, it's her ravishing red carpet style that has us on constant Carey watch. Donning everything from simple silhouettes adorned with subtle jewels to high-shine confections twinkling with enchantment, this British beauty has put us under her style spell, and we have no plan of ever coming out. Carey rode a major sartorial wave while promoting the fashion-centric hit The Great Gatsby — showcasing dashing designs from Lanvin, Prada, and Victoria Beckham, just to name a few — and has continued her chic streak tenfold. Today the actress turns 29 — what better way to celebrate than with a style tribute to the leading lady's effortless elegance? Get ready to be dazzled by the real-life Daisy Buchanan.
A simple silhouette in a megawatt hue made Carey really stand out in 2013. She complemented her Dior creation with classic pumps and a slicked-back 'do.
Carey went back to basics in a black and white Vionnet gown and satin Brian Atwood platforms for the Cannes Film Festival premiere of Inside Llewyn Davis.
Carey stepped out of her minimalistic comfort zone and toed the futuristic fashion line in a textured Chanel creation, complete with gold and ruby embellishments, at the BAFTAs in London.
Carey Mulligan wowed in a fiery Roland Mouret number, complete with leather flower appliqués and brilliant blue YSL suede pumps, at the London Film Critics' Circle Awards.
Carey juxtaposed her tuxedo-inspired Victoria Beckham suit with feminine Saint Laurent t-straps and diamond drop earrings from Tiffany & Co. at the Blue Book Ball in NYC.
Carey dazzled in a gradient floral gown by Vionnet at the 2010 BAFTAs. The gorgeous creation featured long sleeves, a geometric front hem, a mini train, and a cinched black sash.
For the Great Gatsby premiere in Sydney, Carey exuded femininity with a dash of menswear in a pastel pink Nina Ricci bustier and black high-waisted trousers.
At the 2012 Met Gala, Carey sparkled in a silver and gold paillette halter and satin pumps, both by Prada. She completed her red carpet style with minimal jewels and a polished updo.
Carey Mulligan was the epitome of minimalistic chic in a black short-sleeved Dior gown at the Tiffany & Co. dinner in honor of The Great Gatsby in Sydney.
A little rain couldn't stop the Carey fashion train at the 66th annual Cannes Film Festival. The leading lady blossomed in a matte blush Dior Haute Couture creation and dripping diamond jewels from Tiffany & Co. — pear-shaped drop earrings and a platinum-set cluster bracelet.
Carey was the epitome of Spring, working a sunny striped Bottega Veneta dress and perforated sandals in LA.
At the 2013 punk-themed Met Gala, Carey stepped out in a black Balenciaga by Alexander Wang dress, complete with sexy side cutouts and a giant safety pin at the neckline. Her sleek t-strap pumps and slicked bob provided the finishing touches.
For the NYC premiere of The Great Gatsby, Carey wowed in a red Lanvin dress, ankle-strap Brian Atwood sandals, and Tiffany & Co. jewels.
Carey completed her menswear-inspired look — Lanvin tuxedo jacket and trousers — with ankle-strap Brian Atwood sandals at the pre-Met Ball screening of The Great Gatsby in NYC.
Carey had us dreaming of lazy beach days with a watercolor-photo-print Prada confection at the Virtuoso Awards in Santa Barbara, CA. The actress topped her unique fit-and-flare dress with a coordinating Prada clutch and swirly metallic sandals.
The leading lady went monochromatic in an elegant ruffle-and-lace coat dress by Prada and satin Brian Atwood platforms during the Prada Dress Gatsby fete in NYC.
Carey glowed in a mustard Proenza Schouler dress with black trim detail and matching YSL platforms at a 2010 London photocall for Never Let Me Go.
What's not to love about the gorgeous Vionnet maxi Carey chose for opening night of the London Film Festival? From its full-bodied hues to its feminine pleating and ruffle detail, this halter was absolute perfection — and let's not forget her shimmering Giuseppe Zanotti for Vionnet wedges.
Carey looked flawless in a chocolate-colored, sequined Chanel Couture confection — complete with decadent gold hardware trim — suede booties, and a bronzed clutch at the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Awards in NYC.
Carey evoked a goth-glam vibe in a printed Erdem gown and smoky eye shadow at the opening night gala of The King's Speech in Dubai.
Carey went fundamental in a colorblock Roksanda Ilincic midi dress and vibrant red pumps during Comic-Con in San Diego. The torso cutouts injected a dash of sex appeal into her otherwise modest dress.
Carey chose a sequined and fringed Bottega Veneta number for the 15th annual Hollywood Film Awards Gala in Beverly Hills, CA, in 2011. The blond stunner paired her textured frock with black peep-toe pumps and a studded Bottega Veneta box clutch.
Carey earned the title of sexy sophisticate in a red Prabal Gurung sheath, embellished with a ruffled bodice, classic black peep-toes, and a tribal Roger Vivier clutch, at the British Independent Film Awards in London.
For the MOCA 30th Anniversary Gala in 2009, Carey chose an allover crystal-embellished Prada halter, satin black pumps, and a patent-leather letter clutch.
Carey went dark and dangerous in an embellished-collar McQueen midi dress in September 2013.
Draped in a rich burgundy Vionnet gown paired with nude pointed pumps and a satin box clutch, Carey stunned at a 2009 afterparty in London.
Donning a gladiator-inspired, perforated-leather Prada confection, Carey toed the goth-glam line at the NYC premiere of An Education. She cinched her warrior-princess look with a brown leather belt to accentuate her fit frame, while ankle-strap sandals and an engraved clutch rounded out her party style.
Carey posed for photos in a one-shoulder, salmon-hued Lanvin sheath, geometric sandals, and a gold statement bracelet at the Directors Guild of America Awards in Century City, CA.
Carey blossomed in a strapless floral Lanvin number at the 2009 LA premiere of An Education.
Carey brought decadent drama in a peekaboo lace and tulle Elie Saab confection and satin black pumps at the NYC premiere of Never Let Me Go.
At the 2010 SAG Awards, Carey lit up the red carpet in an hourglass Lanvin gown, adorned with a pearlized brooch, a champagne clutch, and dainty drop earrings.
At the Elle Style Awards, Carey topped her sleek black basics with a blue python jacket by The Row.
Adorned with floral crystal brooches, miscellaneous buttons, and miniature scissors, Carey's voluminous, custom Prada dress was the talk of the 2010 Oscars.
Carey hit the 2010 Cannes Film Festival in a structured eggplant sheath by Roland Mouret, cutout suede Fendi sandals, and a double-wrap leather belt.
While promoting Never Let Me Go in Toronto, Carey styled a chocolate crepe de chine Vionnet halter with leopard Prada Mary Janes.
Carey had a dark princess moment, complete with dazzling diamond headwear, in a navy and black tulle creation by Nina Ricci at the 2010 Golden Globes in Beverly Hills, CA.
Carey channeled her inner girlie girl in a lavender, floral-appliquéd Miu Miu dress at the 2010 Met Gala in NYC.
Carey jazzed up her all-black Lanvin ensemble with a gold box clutch and matching metal choker at the Grammy Awards in LA.
Carey made us yearn for cooler weather in a blue tweed Chanel sheath and gold-trim leather sandals in Hollywood.
The actress waltzed into the Critics' Choice Awards looking downright dapper in a black halter gown nipped at the waist with a gold hardware belt and lust-worthy statement necklace.
For the NYC premiere of Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps, Carey styled a two-toned Nina Ricci dress — with a rosette-detailed bodice and ruched skirt — with patent Yves Saint Laurent platforms.
Carey proved her street cred in an edgy leather Christopher Kane sheath at the Independent Spirit Awards in LA. She accessorized her intricate creation, adorned with embellished jewels and lace trim, with cutout Rupert Sanderson sandals.
Looking sweet and sophisticated in a full-skirt Preen creation and blue suede YSL pumps in 2010, Carey nailed the colorblock trend long before it was popular.
Carey went all black in a high-waisted LBD and strappy sandals with a gold-trim clutch at a Sony Pictures dinner party in Beverly Hills, CA.
Carey donned a rich, draped Giles dress with a coordinating clutch and navy peep-toe pumps at the 14th annual Hollywood Awards Gala.
Carey posed in a printed Peter Pilotto dress with sheer lace detail and blue peep-toe pumps during the AFI Fest in Hollywood.
Carey looked effortlessly chic in a pleated Bottega Veneta number with statement accessories — black caged sandals and a woven Bottega Veneta clutch — at the British Independent Film Awards 2009 in London.
Carey looked picture perfect donning an amethyst jacquard fit-and-flare number by Prada and patent Yves Saint Laurent platforms in Palm Springs, CA.
It's no secret Carey loves a classic LBD, but at an Academy Awards luncheon, the actress updated the closet staple with a front peekaboo keyhole and peplum detail.
Carey showed her support for The Alzheimer's Society in a long-sleeved black-and-silver Valentino confection, stud-detailed Prada sandals, and a black quilted clutch in NYC.
At the 2010 London Critics' Circle Film Awards, Carey exuded ladylike elegance in a rosette-detailed Nina Ricci gown, diamond drops earrings, and a black satin clutch.