The Best Dressed Stars at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards
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The VMAs came back to Los Angeles for the first time since 2017, Snoop Dogg hosted, Madonna opened with her first VMA performance in 23 years, and Taylor Swift made her first red carpet appearance since the wedding. The dress code, as always, was "whatever you want," and this year that meant sheer everything, a small flock's worth of feathers, and a lot of statement coats. Here are the 15 looks that got it right.
1. Taylor Swift in Tamara Ralph
Taylor Swift had a directing honor to collect, and stylist Joseph Cassell Falconer dressed her for a proper entrance. Her Tamara Ralph Fall 2026 couture gown paired a high-neck velvet bodice with sheer inserts and a silver sequined skirt draped across the hips. The dark upper half kept the shape sharp; embellished sandals continued the sparkle underneath.
Embed from Getty ImagesThis is a particularly good use of contrast. The velvet gives your eye somewhere to rest before the silver starts doing overtime, and the diagonal draping makes the skirt more interesting than a straight column of sequins. I’d take this over another outfit crammed with visual clues. Sometimes the most satisfying thing to decode is an excellent dress.
2. Teyana Taylor in Zuhair Murad
Teyana Taylor put a feather-trimmed coat-gown on the carpet and immediately raised the standard for everyone wearing black. The singer and One Battle After Another actress attended as a presenter and a Best Collaboration nominee for “Hard Part” with Lucky Daye. Stylists Wayman + Micah chose Zuhair Murad Fall 2026 couture: sheer embroidered fabric, a deep plunge, and feathers framing the collar, cuffs, and hem.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe coat construction is what sells it. That strong outline gives the transparency some shape, while the feathered edges make every movement more dramatic. I love how thoroughly she commits to the excess; removing one supposedly unnecessary detail would make it less convincing. A reasonable amount of feathers would have ruined the whole operation.
3. Lisa in The Attico and Quine Li
Lisa brought enough red outerwear to make coat check somebody else’s problem. The BLACKPINK star, there to perform and nominated four times for “Dream,” wore a sheer corseted dress by The Attico beneath a huge Quine Li faux-fur coat. Matching red pumps and a red accent in her high ponytail extended the color through the entire outfit.
Embed from Getty ImagesI’m firmly on the coat’s side. Its bulk makes the narrow dress look even sharper, and that uninterrupted red keeps two very different textures connected. The sheer corsetry would be a familiar choice by itself; the enormous trailing layer gives it the scale this event can handle. A difficult outfit to sit beside. An excellent one to arrive in.
4. Charli xcx in Saint Laurent
Charli xcx’s black velvet Saint Laurent set came with a useful fashion receipt: it was based on Anthony Vaccarello’s Fall 2017 collection. Stylist Chris Horan paired the cropped, voluminous-sleeved top with an ultra-low-rise column skirt; a mesh panel broke up the neckline. The singer attended as a nominee and presenter, then joined Madonna’s opening performance.
Embed from Getty ImagesThose sleeves earn their screen time. They put volume around the shoulders and wrists while the exposed midriff keeps all that velvet from feeling heavy. The long, narrow skirt gives the whole thing an almost severe finish, which suits her beautifully. She looks like she knows the DJ personally and has already rejected three songs.
5. Tyla in Mowalola
A Chopard watch around the ankle deserves its own close-up. Tyla and stylist Ron Hartleben added it to a blue snakeskin-print Mowalola Spring 2027 bra and extremely low-rise pencil skirt, with a matching choker and pumps. The South African “Water” singer attended as a presenter, wearing a skirt that had clearly resigned from office work.
Embed from Getty ImagesElectric-blue snakeskin gives these familiar Y2K proportions a welcome jolt. I particularly like the longer hem, which gives the tiny top something substantial to work against, and the decision to carry the print through the accessories. The commitment is gloriously excessive. Checking the time now requires a small stretch, but apparently that’s a sacrifice we’re making.
6. Normani in Robert Wun
Normani attended as a guest and said she was there for Madonna, but her Robert Wun couture deserved a booking of its own. Styled by Jyo Bridges, the former Fifth Harmony singer wore a black mermaid gown with a metallic bodice, sleeves extending into gloves, and a huge sculptural flower at one shoulder. Chandelier earrings and a sleek bun completed it.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe metallic surface looks almost armored, especially against the dark skirt, and that flower adds a wonderfully strange interruption. I’m glad the styling leaves the shoulders and neckline clear enough to appreciate the construction. This is the sort of gown that rewards a second look instead of relying entirely on exposed skin.
7. RAYE in Georges Hobeika
RAYE’s silver Georges Hobeika couture gown arrived with the confidence of someone who knows exactly what suits her. Styled by Eniola Dare, the British singer chose a sparkling, softly draped neckline for her VMAs performance debut. She also had nominations for “Where Is My Husband!” and her Hans Zimmer collaboration, “Click Clack Symphony.”
Embed from Getty ImagesI like that the draping stays soft even with so much shine. The silver gown follows her shape instead of building an elaborate structure around it, which makes the glamour feel connected to the woman wearing it. She has found a strong visual language and keeps refining it.
8. Troye Sivan in Erdem
Troye Sivan gave formalwear a much-needed complication. The Australian singer and VMAs presenter wore Erdem Spring 2027, styled by Marc Forné: black tailoring, a high white collar, draped fabric, and a substantial burst of white feathers around the hips. Black pants and Spinelli Kilcollin jewelry rounded out a look with considerably more going on than the average awards-show suit.
Embed from Getty ImagesI love that the jacket stays so precise while everything below it gets increasingly unreasonable. The black-and-white palette makes the unusual silhouette easy to read, even with all that movement around the hips. It’s theatrical, slightly awkward, and much more engaging for it. A man in formalwear made me zoom in. We should encourage this behavior.
9. PinkPantheress in Nina Ricci
PinkPantheress chose a softer route in Nina Ricci from Pre-Fall 2011, with burgundy polka-dot chiffon falling through tiers of ruffles. The British singer-songwriter attended with nominations for “Stateside,” her collaboration with Zara Larsson, and wore her hair in a fishtail braid. Between the color, print, and light fabric, this was one of the night’s most immediately wearable-looking gowns.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe dark red is doing excellent work. In a paler color, those ruffles could become sugary; here, they have enough depth to hold up against the carpet’s harder metallics and black velvet. I also like the small-scale dots, which make the dress feel personal rather than excessively ceremonial.
10. Sienna Spiro in Valentino
Sienna Spiro’s first VMAs involved a performance, a Best New Artist win, and custom Valentino. A productive evening. The British “Die on This Hill” singer arrived in a champagne gown with a sequined bodice and a finely pleated skirt extending into a train. Chopard jewelry, a small matching bag, and her towering bouffant kept the finish firmly in retro territory.
Embed from Getty ImagesKeeping the bouffant was the right call. That height gives the pale dress some attitude, while the pleated skirt brings movement beneath the embellished top. I’m sold on how complete the look feels: you can already recognize the performer’s taste at her first appearance. The newcomer label may be accurate, but nobody in the wardrobe department was behaving like a beginner.
11. Stella Lefty in Claire Pettibone
Stella Lefty went straight to the bridal archive for her VMAs appearance. The country-pop singer behind “Boston,” nominated for Best New Artist and Best Country, wore a wedding dress from Claire Pettibone’s Fall 2015 collection. Lace and beaded embellishment gave the gown its delicate finish, with her hair swept up to keep the detailing visible.
Embed from Getty ImagesAn actual wedding dress is a bold choice for a music ceremony, and the fine lace makes this one work. The embellishment has enough texture to look interesting up close, while the narrow silhouette keeps the effect light. I prefer this kind of specific archive choice to a generic debut gown. No fiancé required; apparently, a nomination will do.
12. Ella Bright in Roberto Cavalli
Off Campus actress Ella Bright joined co-star Belmont Cameli to present, arriving in archival Roberto Cavalli. Her black silk corset gown was accessorized with Saint Laurent sunglasses and a vintage Christian Dior pearl choker. She also debuted darker chocolate-brown hair, giving fans of her character Hannah Wells a fairly substantial departure from the campus wardrobe.
Embed from Getty ImagesShe gets excellent mileage out of those accessories. The pearls bring old-school formality, while the sunglasses introduce just enough bad attitude to stop the corseted dress from looking too precious. I particularly like the heavy stack of pearls against the open neckline.
13. Ciara Miller in Aiden Euan
Summer House star Ciara Miller introduced Shaboozey, whose “Cowgirl” video she appears in. Her chocolate-brown Aiden Euan bra and low-rise lace-up pants made the Western connection particularly convenient, finished with a large-buckle belt. On a carpet full of gowns, the reality star’s pants outfit was one of the clearest reminders that this was a music event.
Embed from Getty ImagesThis is good early-2000s pop-star dressing. The lacing gives the pants detail all the way down the leg, and the brown makes the exposed skin and oversized buckle feel less obvious than they would in black. I wouldn’t add another thing. She looks one headset microphone away from announcing a debut single.
14. Sombr in ERL
Sombr skipped a shirt and went straight to custom ERL, designed by Eli Russell Linnetz and styled by Jake Sammis. The “Homewrecker” singer attended as a nominee and performer in the George Michael tribute with RAYE and Teddy Swims. His black-and-white faux-fur coat came with flared deadstock-leather pants, a Tom Binns silver-and-pearl chain, and a crystal-covered belt buckle.
Embed from Getty ImagesI’m sold on the proportions: that oversized coat needs the flare through the leg to balance it. The pearls add an unexpectedly delicate detail against the leather, while smudged black eyeliner keeps the finish suitably disreputable. The buckle is ridiculous, obviously, but I’d rather have this much personality than another man selecting a navy suit.
15. Slayyyter in Kallie Collett
Slayyyter arrived as a Best Dance nominee for “DANCE…” in custom Kallie Collett, styled by Hunter Clem. Her beige asymmetrical gown had sheer sections, frayed layers, and an uneven hem that trailed behind her. The pop singer finished it with strappy Cristahlea heels and a substantial necklace, adding some weight against all that delicate fabric.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe frayed finish is what earns this a spot for me. It gives the soft draping some bite, while the necklace keeps the look from drifting into festival-costume territory. I like that she committed to the rough edges instead of tidying everything up with precious accessories. Beige has finally found a way to misbehave.
