11 prettiest dresses of the year

What better way to wrap up 2012 than with a look back at the year's loveliest dresses? Whether soft and sweet like Jessica Alba's floral Valentino, a complete knockout like the Lanvin mini Emma Stone wore, or something in between like Catherine Middleton's bold and romantic Jenny Packham stunner, these 11 red carpet picks have one thing in common: they’re just plain stunning!

Jessica Alba

EVENT: The Baby2Baby Gala
DESIGNER: Valentino
WHY WE LOVE IT: Does it get any sweeter than a blush ballgown embroidered with flowers? We don't think so!

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1 of 12 Photo: John Shearer/Invision/AP

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley

EVENT: The Art + Film Gala
DESIGNER: Gucci
WHY WE LOVE IT: Sexy can be pretty too! Especially when the dress is in a vibrant hue and accented with ruffles.

2 of 12 Photo: Jennifer Graylock/INFPhoto.com

Jessica Chastain

EVENT: Madagascar 3's Cannes premiere
DESIGNER: Giorgio Armani
WHY WE LOVE IT: The actress complemented her gown's Old Hollywood glam with side-swept curls and scarlet lips.

3 of 12 Photo: Mike Marsland/Wireimage

Emma Stone

EVENT: The Met Gala
DESIGNER: Lanvin
WHY WE LOVE IT: She may have gone blond, but Stone was still red hot on the carpet in her crimson dress.

4 of 12 Photo: Larry Busacca/Getty Images

Naomi Watts

EVENT: The Toronto International Film Festival premiere of The Impossible
DESIGNER: Elie Saab
WHY WE LOVE IT: A lovely lavender hue made this plunging gown more sugar than spice.

5 of 12 Photo: Lionel Hahn/AbacaUsa.com

Catherine Middleton

EVENT: The BOA Olympic Concert
DESIGNER: Jenny Packham
WHY WE LOVE IT: Talk about lighting up a room! A complementary hue and an off-the-face updo made Catherine Middleton's eyes sparkle.

6 of 12 Photo: Mark Cuthbert/UK Press/ABACAUSA.COM

Julianne Moore

EVENT: The 2012 Emmys
DESIGNER: Dior Haute Couture
WHY WE LOVE IT: Never afraid to take a risk, the actress's dramatic silhouette and palette definitely paid off!

7 of 12 Photo: Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

Zoe Saldana

EVENT: The ALMA Awards
DESIGNER: Gucci
WHY WE LOVE IT: The actress looked every inch a goddess in her plunging, pleated gown.

8 of 12 Photo: REUTERS/Gus Ruelas

Keira Knightley

EVENT: The L.A. premiere of Anna Karenina
DESIGNER: Erdem
WHY WE LOVE IT: From her pretty pink lips to her cool mint silk, the actress's pastels were a breath of fresh air. (And who doesn't love a good pocket?)

9 of 12 Photo: Rob Latour/Rex / Rex USA

Taylor Swift

EVENT: The Teen Choice Awards
DESIGNER: Maria Lucia Hohan
WHY WE LOVE IT: Everyone loves this singer in romantic flowing gowns, but she looks just as ethereal in a backless goddess mini.

10 of 12 Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images