15 BET Awards 2026 Looks That Deserved Their Own Trophy
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Culture’s Biggest Night took over LA’s Peacock Theater on June 28, with Druski hosting and sheer dressing completely owning the carpet. Teyana Taylor took home four trophies. Lauryn Hill received the first-ever Living Legend Icon Award. Janet Jackson showed up to present and somehow out-styled half the room while doing it.
This was one of BET’s strongest carpets in years - archival pieces, real couture, smaller labels getting major moments, and a brown color palette that clearly had everyone on the same wavelength. Starting with the best.
1. Teyana Taylor in Stéphane Rolland
Embed from Getty ImagesTeyana Taylor took home four awards - Best Actress, Video Director of the Year, the first-ever Fashion Vanguard Award, and Icon of the Year from Janet Jackson. So naturally, she showed up in Stéphane Rolland Spring 2026 Couture. The burgundy taffeta gown came with a sculpted corset, a skirt with ridiculous volume, and a matching headpiece. Winning a fashion award and then casually being the best-dressed person there? A power move I’ll be thinking about all year.
2. Jaafar Jackson in Valentino
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Michael star made his BET Awards debut in a Valentino satin floral-print blazer, dark trousers, and a waist-tied sash that kept the look from feeling too expected. The blue woven through the print gave the pattern depth, while the razor-sharp tailoring and complete lack of accessories felt bold when everyone else was layering chains. Plus, arriving with Nia Long as his date meant the entrance was already a moment before anyone even got to the jacket.
3. Marsai Martin in Salih Balta
Embed from Getty ImagesDiane from Black-ish and the youngest executive producer in Hollywood history (a title she earned with Little in 2019) has always brought that same confidence to the red carpet. This one is Salih Balta Fall 2026: an off-the-shoulder leather bodice with a fitted cascading chiffon skirt. Tough and delicate in one outfit, which is not an easy combo. The sleek hair, with serious Aaliyah energy, finished it perfectly. Styled by Bryon Javar.
4. Coco Jones in Basil Soda
Embed from Getty ImagesCoco Jones in Basil Soda Spring 2026, and the construction is what makes this look. The strapless bandeau bodice, under-bust cutout, matching hip cutouts, and crisscrossed fabric pull everything together before the semi-sheer skirt takes over. She finished it with red Saint Laurent Cassandre earrings, gold bangles, and delicate rings. Styled by The Reismans. That shade of red on her is a full case for wearing color.
5. Jodie Turner-Smith in Roberto Cavalli
Embed from Getty ImagesJodie Turner-Smith in Roberto Cavalli Pre-Fall 2026, and honestly, few people can handle a print this loud without the dress taking over. The plunging multi-color halter dress has that swirling summer palette Cavalli has been pushing all season, with a cut that skims instead of clings. The fingerless opera gloves are the genius move here - they turn a beautiful gown into a full styling moment.
5. Doechii in archival DSquared2
Embed from Getty ImagesStylist Sam Woolf went hunting and pulled a crocheted halter-neck from DSquared2 Spring 2006: espresso-toned, almost sheer, waist-plunging neckline, hip cutouts. Then Doechii matched the crochet weave with an interlocked braided hairstyle - the kind of styling detail that turns a good outfit into a future reference point. She won BET Her that night with SZA. Archival fashion is basically a competitive sport now, and she’s collecting medals.
7. Lizzo in Christian Cowan
Embed from Getty ImagesLizzo’s custom Christian Cowan was chocolate brown, semi-sheer, and covered in crystals that caught the light with every move. The real detail is the chiffon draping over the corset - it’s layered like architecture, not just there for the sheer effect. Add honey-blonde waves and full glam, and the result feels sultry rather than shocking, which is a much trickier balance to pull off.
8. Keke Palmer in Gucci
Embed from Getty ImagesGucci Pre-Fall 2026: a $10,500 crystal-covered one-shoulder jersey gown, black pumps, and those long copper braids by Molly Dickson. The price tag wasn’t even the headline. She turned around and revealed a chainlink back detail that might be the wildest styling choice of the night - and I mean that as a compliment. Belly chains had their era. This is the plot twist.
9. Madisin Rian in Le Thanh Hoa
Embed from Getty ImagesThe St. Louis model and Armani Beauty face is usually serving polished Armani Privé, so this Le Thanh Hoa Fall 2025 look felt like a full plot twist. A burst of colorful feathers paired with a dramatic white train - the kind of look that instantly divides the room. Watching someone known for elegance go this bold was one of the most fun surprises of the evening.
10. Janet Jackson
Embed from Getty ImagesJanet Jackson turned a Tupac T-shirt into the most carefully styled look on the BET Awards carpet. The graphic tee layered over a cuffed pinstripe shirt, with a grommet belt and leather waist cincher pulling the menswear pieces into a full hourglass silhouette. Then came the tilted fedora, birdcage veil, durag underneath, and stacks of silver bangles. The graphic tee comeback has found its spokesperson - and she’s been doing this since 1986.
11. Lauryn Hill in Saint Laurent
Embed from Getty ImagesPuff sleeves the size of a small vehicle, crinkled brown nylon, Saint Laurent Spring 2026. The best detail? Beyoncé wore the same ruffled design before the 2026 Met Gala, meaning this gown now belongs exclusively to women who reshape culture. Hill wore it while receiving the first-ever Living Legend Icon Award, then closed her 20-minute tribute with “Ex-Factor.” The dress knew exactly who it was waiting for.
12. Jordan Chiles in Le Thanh Hoa
Embed from Getty ImagesThe second Le Thanh Hoa look of the night, but a totally different mood. This one went full avant-garde: black, plunging V-neckline, and a bodice made of layered silk petals that looked almost feathered up close. Sheer panels and long draped pieces took over from there, moving with every step. The Olympic medalist was nominated for Sportswoman of the Year and dressed like she already had the trophy.
13. Latto in Lily Falero
Embed from Getty ImagesA sheer black corseted gown, feather stole, and a red-carpet appearance just over a month after giving birth - but the beauty look is where this really hits. Hairstylist Ashanti Lation kept the drama of the dress balanced with a sleek, mirror-shine bun. Add baby pink makeup, diamonds, and the most requested manicure on the planet: the French tip. On one of the biggest carpets of the summer, the “basic” French held its own next to crystal couture.
14. Olandria Carthen in custom Theophilio
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Love Island USA breakout brought one of the strongest color moments of the night. Her custom Theophilio look was all yellow drama: deep-plunging halter neckline, a split she fully committed to, and an embellished brooch pulling the whole thing together. Gold jewelry finished it off. Another win for Edvin Thompson’s label - and another reminder that this carpet kept choosing smaller designers over the obvious names.
15. Eva Marcille in Muehleder
Embed from Getty ImagesThe America’s Next Top Model winner and Real Housewives of Atlanta alum showed up in a lime green knit dress on a June red carpet, which sounds like a risky combo until you see it. Muehleder saved the sweater silhouette with dramatic draping and that oversized waist knot, giving it actual structure.
Honorable mentions
Queen Latifah used her red carpet moment to spotlight a smaller label, wearing a satin slip under a bubbled Kilian Kerner jacket, finished with a braided updo and a bold red lip. Choosing an independent designer over the usual mega-houses? A flex.
Embed from Getty ImagesChlöe Bailey was almost unrecognizable with a platinum bob and a Valdrin Sahiti Fall 2025 gown featuring a crystal-sculpted bodice and black velvet panels creating a dramatic hourglass shape.
Embed from Getty ImagesChase Infiniti went in a completely different direction with custom GapStudio by Zac Posen, transforming Gap’s ’90s “Happy Stripe” archive print into a ruched mermaid gown. Turning a mall classic into couture is a pretty fun fashion plot twist.
Embed from Getty ImagesAnd Tems switched things up. After making white gowns her red carpet signature, she arrived in a chocolate brown Luis De Javier gown with a feathered hem and Kaimanna by Samara earrings. Brown owned this carpet, and this was one of its strongest moments.
The verdict
BET understood something the other carpets keep missing this year. Sheer works when there's construction underneath. Archival works when the reference means something. A graphic tee can beat a ballgown if the styling is sharp enough. See you next June.
