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.

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.

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?