'Bold' Paltrow is judged to be Britain's best dressed woman

She has spoken out against the dreary English weather, vented her frustration over the nation's over-zealous traffic wardens and railed against the littered streets. But at least Gwyneth Paltrow has benefited from the national sense of style.

California-born Paltrow, 33, who lives in Belsize Park, London, has been crowned Britain's best-dressed woman by Harper's Bazaar.

And, according to the fashion magazine, the accolade is largely a result of her move to Britain and her friendship with London's fashion set.

The Oscar-winning actress, who is married to the Coldplay singer Chris Martin, counts the designer Stella McCartney among her friends. Paltrow is expecting the couple's second child.

The magazine's fashion features editor, Sara Buys, said the actress had transformed her preppy, "East Coast" image into a "bold" and "daring" fashion sense during her time in London.

Buys said: "Since she started living in the UK full time, she has developed a less polished, more daring style that owes its origins to London street style. Gwyneth has also developed a very healthy appetite for our unbeatable high street."

She was not the only American who was deemed to have become more stylish after moving to London, where the fashion scene is considered a lot less conventional than in America.

The pop star Madonna, who lives in west London with her two children and husband, Guy Richie, was voted in at No 10 on the list, with fashion writers observing a noted improvement in her dress sense since her move to the UK.

According to Buys, Madonna - who has been photographed wearing quintessentially English tweeds and flat-caps - has become far more stylish over recent years.

Bob Geldof's daughter Peaches, 17, was the youngest to appear on the list, compiled by a panel of British taste-makers and designers. Peaches was listed as the seventh most fashionable woman on the list in May's issue of Harper's Bazaar.

The model Kate Moss came second, despite her recent drugs scandal, followed by the actress Thandie Newton and model Liberty Ross.

Sienna Miller, who became famous for "Boho chic" came fifth on the list, ahead of Laura Bailey.

The model Yasmin Le Bon was voted the eighth best dressed woman while Zadie Smith, better known for her novels White Teeth and On Beauty, appeared at number nine.