Some people remember years based on political strides, natural disasters, amazing music and remarkable movies. And then there are some people who remember those monumental moments through the lens of fashion. Fashion folks look back on the year, defining it by not only what happened, but what people were wearing as it happened.

Fashion and style is an expression of creativity, politics, mood and personality. Click through the gallery of Refinery 29′s biggest moments of 2012 to see how style reflects the people, events and socioeconomic status of the past year.