VMAs Best/Worst Dressed

From medieval knights to QR code tramp stamps, the Arts and Entertainment Department weighed in on the VMAs' best and worst looks.

Best Dressed:

Megan Thee Stallion

Host of the evening, Megan Thee Stallion walked the carpet in this Nicole + Felicia Couture fun black dress that gives the illusion of her escaping the gown.

She had a busy night with multiple outfit changes, performances and being a nominee but managed to pull look after look effortlessly.

This dress accentuates her body wonderfully and this bob needs a moment of recognition.

Overall, she had a beyond-successful night and looked amazing while doing it. -Madison Rush

Best Dressed:

Tate McRae

Tate McRae turned heads, cameras and the media when she celebrated Britney Spears’ 2001 VMA’s red carpet look, which was also the night of Spears’ performance where she wrapped a snake around her shoulders: so iconic.

The nominated pop star was dressed in Roberto Cavalli while fulfilling the designer's central motive: sustainable fashion. McRae isn’t wearing the exact look Spears wore 23 years ago, but the look is timeless, sleek, simple and glamorous.

Not one thing about McRae’s look was a miss; her loose low-maintenance curls and shiny tanned legs were shown off by the short and minimal dress she styled with Jacob & Co. jewelry and Maison Ernest heels.

Her serious pout aged the star, but mirrored her growing power in the music industry. However, she did crack some smiles when she later sat with her boyfriend, The Kid LAROI. -Natalie Simone

Worst Dressed:

The Kid LAROI

Is it the shy artsy kid going to his first day of school? Or is that The Kid LAROI at the VMA’s?

Unfortunately, it is just The Kid LAROI wearing baggy jeans and layers with a polo. He even has accessorized with a backpack! (Or just a big black tote bag.)

The star is dressed in Acne Studios, most famously known for its high-quality jeans, but the quality isn’t conveyed through the screen.

His whole get-up seems last minute, too casual and trendy on all social media platforms. There is nothing new, exciting or even interesting about this look.

The VMA is the award show to push the box, try something new and break fashion norms. The Kid LAROI could have shown up to any event and been well dressed, but not to the VMA’s.

His look was underwhelmingly and, frankly, boring. Maybe he was headed to a job fair after… -Natalie Simone

Best Dressed:

Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift’s look was by far the best look on the red carpet, and it definitely showed that she is back in her reputation era.

The 30-time VMA award winner, who made history at the 2024 VMAs by becoming the most decorated solo artist, had Swifties going crazy from the moment she stepped onto the red carpet due to its “Reputation” vibes.

She rocked an all Dior look with a yellow plaid bustier and an attached skirt above velvet pants and leather gloves that have 13 straps. This was paired with thigh-high boots, which she has been commonly wearing.

Her makeup was a darker look, and she did not have her signature red lip but instead went for a darker mauve. There were messy waves throughout her hair with side swept bangs and her nails painted black. -Ashley Mascaro

Best Dressed:

Halsey

Halsey, not only looked amazing on the red carpet but wore a look full of history and fame.

Her dress is a ‘hand-me-down’ from Elizabeth Hurley in 1996. The dress is designed by the late founder of Versace: Gianni Versace. It debuted on Hurley in 1996 at the grand opening of the New York City Versace storefront, then worn to the VMA’s later in the ‘90s.

The dress shows off Halsey’s femininity and masculinity. Although, it's tight, sparkly and shows off the star’s shoulders and arms, it covers her body from collarbone to toe, is red and black and is matched with a red mid-length wig.

The look is fully complete; it has the perfect amount of color and sparkle and is still in style, even though it’s from 1996. -Natalie Simone

Worst Dressed:

Addison Rae

“Diet Pepsi” may be a hit, but this outfit is not.

The VMA’s has been known to have some of the most iconic and campy red carpet looks ever, and Addison Rae was trying to fit into this category but failed.

The shape of the bra in this Claire Sullivan outfit is a crime to humanity and the feathers and tutu do not make up for it.

Jewelry might not have saved this look but she could have at least tried, belly button piercing aside.

Her hair and makeup are nothing special and the only thing saving this look is that her body is to die for.

If her goal was for people to talk about her, she definitely succeeded there. -Madison Rush

Best Dressed:

Sabrina Carpenter

Sabrina Carpenter looked absolutely gorgeous and elegant, and she definitely made a statement the minute she stepped on the red carpet.

The “Song of the Year” award winner arrived at the 2024 VMA’s wearing something very familiar- a signature Bob Mackie dress that Madonna wore to the 1991 Oscars.

This stunning white gown had silver beading around the sweetheart neckline and white beading all down the dress. Carpenter paired it with an elegant and simple De Beers necklace, earrings and ring.

Her hair was styled with full, bouncy curls, and she wore a dark red lip. Makeup artist Carolina Gonzalez later said she used Velour lashes on Carpenter to achieve a “dreamy pinup” look, and safe to say she definitely achieved this. -Ashley Mascaro

Best Dressed:

Lisa

Lisa, winner of Best K-pop Music Video with “Rockstar,” took the carpet in this beautiful Mugler dress. The Blackpink singer looks like she just walked off the Dune set with this hooded gown that shapes her body perfectly.

It was a more dramatic and sexy look for the singer, but she can truly pull off anything.

The corset bodice is the only part of the outfit that feels a little cheap, but it adds an interesting silhouette which is nice.

Her hair and makeup really pull the whole look together and make for an iconic red carpet moment. -Madison Rush

Worst Dressed:

Shawn Mendes

Shawn Mendes took the carpet in this simple, all-black suit that everyone had seen him in before.

Back from a music hiatus with his new single, “Nobody Knows,” fans were expecting a more standout look from him, and this was unfortunately nothing of the sort.

He looked as handsome as ever and the Dolce & Gabbana suit fit him well, but left people wanting more. -Madison Rush

Best Dressed:

Chappell Roan

Chappell Roan’s look was very unique, to say the least, but it was still entertaining to see.

The “Best New Artist” winner showed up to her first VMA’s making a statement. She went with a medieval look, including a flowy, sheer “Y” gown and a green cape overtop. The look was paired with thigh-high boots.

Roan also brought some “accessories” to the carpet: a sword and a knight, and yes, it was a real knight that walked with her. She wore a big cross necklace in between the “Y” of her dress and a Lillian Shalom ring along with metal cuffs on each of her wrists.

Her nails were arguably the biggest eye-catcher with her look as they were “extra, extra long” tips attached to her nails and were painted on top with black, gold and pearl to represent the Renaissance.

Roan’s hair was styled in a medieval braided ponytail with two large pieces curled in front of her face. She had a gory makeup look, including a smokey eye and dark red lipstick. -Ashley Mascaro

Worst Dressed:

Katy Perry:

This was one of the worst looks on the VMAs red carpet.

Perry stepped onto the red carpet alongside fiance Orlando Bloom wearing what looked to be deconstructed yarn, but it was not that literal material. She had her bare, glossy abs out in a dress that had a one-shoulder bra shirt and a long skirt.

However, when she turned around, there was another surprise- a QR code tramp stamp!

In the back of Perry’s skirt was a v-cut waistline, and in the middle of the “v” was a temporary QR code tattoo, and if scanned, it went to a pre-ordering website for her upcoming album, “143” which comes out September 20.

Her hair also had a wet, glossy look with wet waves, and she added a finishing touch of a black metal cuff that looked like armor to add to her new album's futuristic theme. -Ashley Mascaro

Madison Rush is a third-year majoring in public relations. To contact her, email mkr5957@psu.edu.

Natalie Simone is a third-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact her, email nvs5790@psu.edu.

Ashley Mascaro is a third-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact her, email aem6398@psu.edu.