The 2024 VMAs: Red Carpet Review

Music award shows tend to have the weirdest red carpet fashions, and last night's VMAs were no exception. Despite most artists going for unique looks, the majority of fashions fell into one (or a couple) of five categories: Black and White, Sheer (or Faux Sheer), Shredded, The Wet Look, and Bad Boobs. There were also a few notable looks that didn't fall neatly into any of those categories, so I'll end with a Miscellaneous section. Let's check out the looks! And be sure to scroll all the way to the end so you don't miss some wacky extras from the evening. 

Black and White

All White

Anitta's all-white look included an intricately laced corset with a narrow chiffon panel in the front revealing sheer white thigh-high stockings, and a wider chiffon panel forming a train in the back, topped with a semi-sheer head drape. It was dramatic, sexy without being at all revealing, and set off her figure beautifully. A great look to start the review!

Dora Jar's almost all off-white look was more of a mixed bag. Her hunter jacket kind of worked for me, and although I liked the idea of the baggy cargo pants, I didn't like that the color didn't quite match the jacket, I didn't like the open zipper on one pantleg, and the bagginess was too sloppy. However, I loved her black sneakers with white piping and I REALLY loved her red umbrella. Her messy hair also worked for me, although I didn't love her white eye makeup, but the sweetness of the messy hair and soft makeup seemed at odds with the jacket and pants. So...close, but not quite right. 

Lisa wore a more glam version of Anitta's look, in a pale champagne-colored bias-cut gown with a metallic-boned corset top, a skirt that flared at the knee, and a kind of jacket or shawl that incorporated full sleeves ending in gloves as well as a soft head drape. Both the corset and the skirt were perfectly tailored to her figure, and she looked stunning and oddly goth, despite the pale color. I loved this look. 

Nessa took her all-white gown in a different direction, with a snug-fitting ruched skirt, a diamond-shaped cutout below the bust, and draped cap sleeves. I loved the overall silhouette and the graceful lines of the ruching, but something about the lower edge of the bust was a bit too reminiscent of an underwire bra, and the shallow vee of the neckline against the much more angled inverted vee below pushed her boobs at an unnatural and unflattering angle. But overall, a very pretty look. 

Sabrina Carpenter stunned in a strapless white sequin column with a sweetheart neckline and a tiny puddle of train. The gown was a vintage Bob Mackie design worn by Madonna to the Academy Awards in 1991, at which she performed song "Sooner or Later" from Dick Tracy, which won the Oscar for Best Song. Madonna looked great, but I think Carpenter looks even better. 

All Black

Megan Thee Stallion wore a striking and unusual all-black outfit consisting of a strapless black bodysuit, sheer black hose, and a kind of floating full satin skirt that was constricted at the knee and flared up in points to mid-thigh. I was fascinated by both the structure and the magical way it defied gravity. And I loved the way the hourglass silhouette of the skirt echoed the hourglass silhouette of her figure. 

Miranda Lambert tends to be hit or miss on the red carpet, but this was a definite hit for me. Her black suit featured slightly flared pants and a single-button, fitted jacket with wide white lapels embellished with black patterns studded with turquoise, with a plunging front opening revealing just a peep of a vivid turquoise spangled bra. I loved the subtle pop of color in the bra, lapels, and her turquoise-studded jewelry, and the tailoring was very flattering on her figure. 

Sasha Colby's look actually combined all-black with sheer and faux sheer. Her black mesh dress was studded with silver spangles, gathered at the waist creating pretty radiating lines, with 3/4 sleeves and a draped cowl neckline, worn over a high-cut black panty and a flesh-toned panel under the bodice that created the illusion of the opaque draping of the fabric covering the bust. I especially loved the combination of the high, curly updo and the long earrings that fell to her collarbone. Elegant!

Sheela Awe's all-black outfit paired thigh-high boots with a mesh paneled corset with cut-outs at the waist, off-the-shoulder drapes, and a diagonal mesh panel at the waist forming a kind of side skirt. I loved her stark center-parted super-straight hairstyle, soft makeup, simple bangle bracelet, and dangling earrings. 

I was less of a fan of Suki Waterhouse's all-black ensemble, consisting of a high-waisted, straight skirt with a sheer overlay, attached to a bra-style bodice, topped with a feathery, long-sleeved shrug. I liked the concept of the outfit, but the proportions of the cut-out were off, somehow. Perhaps if the skirt had a more natural waistline, or if the feather shrug met the top of the bra so we were seeing only the triangular cut-out between the skirt and bra, I might have liked it better. 

Naomi Scott's high-necked black dress was ruched down the front in a way that created an inverted vee at the thigh-length hem, and the long sleeves were finished with a deep fur ruff. She accessorized with sheer black hose and her only jewelry a single small ring. It was simple but gorgeous. 

Black AND White

Cyndi Lauper wore a fabulous black-and-white pantsuit. Her flared pants had one white leg and one black, and her double-breasted, square-shouldered jacket had one white sleeve and one black, with the front panels of the jacket the opposite color to the sleeve, contrasting patch pockets, and a single white lapel against the slightly-shorter black panel. I loved the irregular geometry of the jacket and the plunging front that revealed a black satin bra. Launder's pale green shag hairstyle and soft coral lips added just a tiny pop of color that I loved.  

Doechii's black-and-white ensemble was a riff on a schoolgirl uniform, with an above-the-knee pleated black skirt with white accents, a white tailored shirt with black-and-white necktie under a black jacket with vest over it that was white with black streaks and a pure white yoke with short cap sleeves. She accessorized with black thigh-high socks with white stripes on one leg, a black leather purse shaped like a drooping flower, and an elaborate updo of looped braids subtly accented with a few black feathers. It was fun and different without being overly weird, and it totally worked for me. 

Jordan Chiles wore a silvery-white satin halter shift with a black, white, and red neckband and matching trim along the high-low hem and at the top of her opera-length black gloves, accessorized with sheer black stockings and a slicked-back hairstyle with a single tiny looped curl at the temple. The look managed to be sporty and elegant at the same time. 

Sheer (and Faux Sheer)

Camila Cabello wore a flesh-toned strapless column embroidered with black sequined ribbon twining all over it, including creating an irregularly scalloped edge at the top of the bodice. The outfit was accessorized with a sheer black embroidered veil that feel to her knees, a black choker and a large cross pendant, a number of chunky rings, and long straight hair. Sexy goth is a great look on her.  

Flo Milli's white dress was formed from dozens of white fabric butterflies looped together with strands of white beads forming a microminidress, revealing a peep of high-cut black panty and black demi bra. I liked that her necklace, earrings, and bracelets echoed the strands of beads on the dress, and I liked her white pointy pumps, but the neckline of the dress made her boobs like overly pushed up and uncomfortable. 

Muni Long wore an eggplant-colored ensemble with a sheer lace corset bodice, a super-short angled bubble skirt with a wide sash, a floor-length tulle skirt at the back, and thigh-high laced boots with a matching lace garter visible. She accessorized with a pile of pearl and gold necklaces of varying lengths, ending with a large cross pendant. It sounds like it should be a  mish mash of pieces looking like a hot mess, but somehow everything worked together to be just hot. 

Tate McRae wore a simple black lace minidress with a high neck and long sleeves ending in fingerless gauntlets, over a black g-string and balconette bra (don't worry, I just learned that term, too). It was pretty enough, but I found it to be a little bland and unoriginal. 

Shredded

Ayra Starr's "shredded" look was in the form of a dark champagne dress consisting of multiple wrapped strips of fabric of various widths and lengths. The bodice was made of one swath of fabric going vertically from the waistband over the left shoulder, another coming over the right shoulder and tucking in over the first swath, then a third wrapped over the ribs on the right then twisting up over the left shoulder. The swaths were perfectly arranged so they were visually balanced and her figure stayed symmetrical (mismatched boobs is a frequent problem with this kind of style), and the sash at the waist created a flattering line. The skirt was made of multiple lengths of fabric creating an angled hemline with a deep slit on one side and a ragged train on the other. It should be an awkward mess, but it's actually lovely and flattering. 

Chanel West Coast, on the other hand, sported a shredded look that was neither lovely nor flattering. Her shredded skirt was a short angled wrap of silver fabric with slits randomly cut into the hem, topped with a corset-type top with an open front of metallic silver boning with horizontal silver wires between them and a silver-tipped white rosette with a silver heart in the center over each breast. She accessorized with chunky silver cuff bracelets, a heavy choker, large hairclips, pretty silver spangled strappy sandals, and, inexplicably, what appeared to be flesh-toned tights. The proportions of both the skirt and the roses on the bust were all wrong, and did her figure no favors. Not a good look. 

Katy Perry also took an unusual red carpet misstep in her oddly-proportioned two-piece white ensemble. Her single-strap bandeau was covered with shredded fabric that emphasized how crooked it was, making it look like it was falling off. Her skirt had a super-low, curved waistline with an underskirt that seemed to be made from multiple vertical strips of opaque fabric topped with an attached overlay of horizontally draped shreds of fabric that angled down toward the back, puddling into a train edged with random long loose threads. Combined with her straggly "wet look" hairstyle, she looked like the victim of a shipwreck. Adding to the oddity, she wore a black object on her arm that has been described as a "futuristic accessory," and turned to show off a new tattoo at the base of her spine which was a QR code linking to her new album. Ooookay then...

Lola Brooke combined shredded with eyelash in this pale pink two-piece ensemble that gave the impression of fuzzy cobwebs. The v-necked top and the sarong-style skirt created interesting diagonal lines, but the messy hems and trailing strings at the back made me think someone had accidentally put it through the wash. At least it was a beautiful color on her? 

Paris Hilton managed to make the scraggly wet look hair work with her shredded silver look, which reminded me of Raquel Welch's outfit in One Million Years B.C. Her dress had an angle-cut skirt of solid fabric edged with swaths of rough-edged fabric, and a bodice with a ragged triangular bottom and a snugly-fitted, slightly cowled top edge. In addition to the wet hair, she accessorized with a wide silver neck cuff, multiple silver bracelets and rings, and pointy silver spangled slingbacks. I'm no fan of Paris, but she looked terrific. 

My favorite of the shredded looks, however, was Tyla's yellow tube minidress with train. The dress was constructed entirely of narrow horizontal strands of fabric and the train was vertical strands. It looked great on her, but what really made me love the whole look was the peep of lime green hipster panties, the vivid coral sandals, the aqua collar necklace, and the hot pink button earrings. It was stylist, cutting-edge, and yet so very...happy. 

The Wet Look

Shiny vinyl has always been popular at the VMAs, and Alessandra Ambrosio used is especially well in her round-necked, long-sleeved, ruched-front micromini two-piece bandage dress. Points for the tiny sandal straps on her stilettos that made her legs look about seven feet long. The only accessory she needed was her gorgeous body, and that was enough. 

Angela Simmons used her shiny vinyl in a more traditional style, a fire-engine red column with criss-crossed halter straps and a large opening in the bodice front. The gown was tightly fitted to the knee, where it flared just slightly. The concept was good, although the tailoring could have been a little better: the bust looked a bit constricted and the front of the dress had pull lines across the crotch and thighs, which is a sign that it's too tight. But her hair and makeup were impeccable, and she still looked pretty great. 

On the other hand, the tailoring of Anna Sitar's dress was so well done that it redeemed her look for me somewhat. I loved the shiny, iridescent fabric and the lines of the wrapped skirt, and I loved the way the two bands comprising the bodice were attached to a neckband. The bodice stayed close to her body in a way that felt natural due to the tailoring rather than double-stick tape (although it was probably both). I just wish that the waist were a hair higher or that the bands of the bodice joined together in the center of the waist, so Sitar's torso didn't look disproportionately long. But I loved how much she loved the matching long wrap!

Danna Paola wore a long black column skirt topped with a stiff, shiny black vinyl bustier, accessorized with a long wrap of dark yellow fabric with black patterning. Although the bustier was a little low cut for my taste and looked uncomfortably snug, Paola wore it well and I loved her diamond choker and black strappy heels. 

Many red carpet events have at least one "Jiffy Pop" dress, and Thalia wore it last night. Her super-shiny metallic gold vinyl two-piece minidress was covered in huge fabric cabbage roses (including one on each boob, of course), which was bad enough, but then she added a super-full, super-long metallic train that looked for all the world like layers of tinfoil. Her hair looked amazing, and her makeup was great, so I'm just happy that she seems to be enjoying wearing the dress. 

Bad Boobs

Addison Rae either had a terrible tailor or she didn't realize that these straps are adjustable, because this top is making her boobs into a shelf. I actually like the tulle skirt and the v-front hipster panties, but that top is just a mess. 

Similarly, GloRilla's dark silver satin suit with side-legged pants, narrow train, and cropped jacket is pretty terrific, but that spangled band that's constricting her boobs is just AWFUL. 

Halle Bailey's red dress has a lot of great features: I love the strands of beading at the hem, the angled seam at the waist/hip, and the fabric itself. But what is going on with that bodice? Her boobs are pointing in two different directions. That's just not right. 

What can I say about Jazzelle Zanaughtti's outfit? Oh: No, girl. Just NO. To all of it. 

Queen Lola's blue gown is probably the best of the bad boobs. The color is great on her, and the silhouette is lovely. But if a gown dips in at your crotch, it's TOO TIGHT. And if the band holding the two vertical panels of your bodice together is straining that hard, it's TOO TIGHT. Good concept, terrible execution. 

Tinashe's black column skirt is fine, but the pseudo-vest bodice is just weird. I don't even understand how it's making her boobs point in two different directions, but it is. Ew. 

Miscellaneous

Adizia "Bambi" Benson rocked this apple green bikini top with crossed straps and ruffled tulle skirt and train. It was simple, but effective, and it looked great on her. 

Alejandra Espinoza showed off her incredibly toned abs in this belly-baring red gown with v-front chiffon skirt with deep side slit and angled halter bodice with floating sleeves. The perfectly matching lip color and pointy satin kitten heels were the ideal finishing touch. 

Chappell Roan wore an ensemble that reminded me of a Victorian nightgown and robe - in a good way. I loved the dusty teal velvet coat with gold lace trim and long train, and the way the gown appeared to be made from multiple layers of semi-sheer black and white fabric. The one thing I would love to change is to add a ribbon tie at the neck so the plunging neckline becomes more of a wide keyhole. But the rest of it totally suits her. 

 

Coco Jones wore a shimmery silver organza gown with criss-cross swaths across the front and a skirt composed of long fabric loops that formed a train. The lines were both geometric and soft, and even with the giant fabric flower on one shoulder, everything was balanced visually and well-proportioned. A very nice look. 

Sierra Gates was channeling Britney Spears at the 2001 American Music Awards in this all-denim ensemble. Honestly, it wasn't terrible. I loved the cropped jacket with the label of the jeans it was made from still visible, especially the ruffles at the wrists, and the complete outline on the skirt of the converted jeans it came from, as well as the overall silhouette of the skirt. I didn't love the paler blue fabric at the hem, partly because it was clearly much lighter weight than the rest of the skirt and so it hung awkwardly, and partly because the hem was left raw (which was also true of the short denim train on the skirt), and the heart-shaped denim handbag was a bit too cutesy, but overall it wasn't a bad look. 

Taylor Swift can pull off outfits that would never work for most people, and that is definitely the case here. Although it's really the details that make this look great. She combined a yellow and green plaid bustier (more of a stomacher, really, with its flat front construction) with angled shoulder straps and a front zipper, an attached bubble-hem skirt of the same fabric with a wide front opening, a matching plaid choker, a narrow black belt, black velvet boy shorts, black thigh boots, and absolutely spectacular fingerless opera-length biker gloves with gladiator-style straps up the arms. This girl is FIERCE. 

Ts Madison looks positively delighted in her off-the-shoulder cherry red satin gown with a short train, embellished with rhinestone spangles and red and black and metallic butterflies flitting across the gathered bodice trim and down the front of the dress. She accessorized with crushed red vinyl fingerless opera gloves (or possibly attached sleeves?), a matching red vinyl clutch embellished with a large silver butterfly, and more metallic butterflies perching in her "teddy bear ears" hairdo. It's not a look I would choose, but she clearly thinks she looks great, which makes her look great. 

The Wacky Extras

The VMAs wouldn't be the VMAs without some truly wacky ensembles, and this year it was the men who brought the wackiest looks. Here are some of the wildest red carpet looks of the night. 

Benson Boone wore a sheer black lace v-neck pullover, black pants, and silver-studded shoes. 

Mikey Angelo wore an all-black ensemble with a black turtleneck, silver-studded black leather duster, baggy black pants with sequin trim tucked into high-heeled platform boots, and an almost pith-helmet style black hat accented with strings of crystal beads that covered the crown and dangled from the brim. 

Shaboozey wore stiff, high-waisted jeans with extra-wide silver cuffs, paired with a white cowboy-style dress shirt with black-and-white front panels and silver-and-white yoke and collar, with a narrow black leather tie.

Teddy Swims wore a white tank top with white palazzo pants and a matching long white trenchcoat, both printed with...DNA sequences?

Busta Rhymes wore a blue turtleneck with a blue print jacket and pants. The almost knee-length jacket had super-wide lapels, double snaps, buckle accents on the sleeves, multiple cargo pockets, and a self-belt. 

DJ Khaled wore a dusty pink shirt and matching pants that seemed to be made out of basket-woven fabric.

Andrew Licout wore a white graphic t-shirt with a green cardigan sweater with white trim, mustard and brown blobby print pants with cuffs, brown leather boots, and a baseball cap. Huh?

Lil Nas X had a kind of Pink Power Ranger vibe going on. I mean, he was working those killer abs, but that helmet...