Gwyneth Paltrow named best dressed woman in the world by People

By Matt Donnelly

Sept. 12, 2012 12 AM PT

Gwyneth Paltrow helps defend the planet in films such as “Iron Man” and “The Avengers,” but off-screen she’s just a normal gal — who has been named the most stylish lady on our little blue rock.

Paltrow has been handed the title of best dressed woman in the world by People, part of an annual list that also features Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Jennifer Lawrence and Emma Stone.

“She has a uniform: It’s simple, not overdone,” Gwyneth’s stylist Elizabeth Saltzman told the magazine, via USA Today. “She goes, ‘I’m happy — and that matters more.’ That’s what sets her apart from the rest.”

PHOTOS: Celebrity portraits by the Times

Paltrow’s red carpet style has long been celebrated, from the pink Ralph Lauren gown she donned in 1999 accepting her Oscar for “Shakespeare in Love” (it has its own Wikipedia page) to the Tom Ford caped creation she wore to the 2012 Academy Awards.

As she approaches 40, Paltrow isn’t afraid to experiment with daring looks, like the body-baring Prada mini-dress she wore to the 2012 Met Gala, underscoring her discipline in diet and exercise.

Paltrow also dabbles in design: Her lifestyle blog Goop has been rolling out fashion collaborations since early summer, featuring items including Rag & Bone blazers and leather jeans made specifically with her brand in mind.

Paltrow most recently served as executive producer for the Stand Up to Cancer telethon. “Iron Man 3” and the sex-addiction comedy “Thanks for Sharing” open in 2013.