The Best-Dressed Stars at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards

Published: September 28, 2026 Last Updated 12 minutes ago by Evelyn Adenike

The MTV Video Music Awards have long been a showcase for bold fashion, where risk-taking often surpasses restraint and red-carpet looks frequently overshadow the awards themselves.

From Britney Spears’ 2001 Dolce & Gabbana lace mini dress that popularised the “naked dress,” to Beyoncé’s sequined blazer announcing her pregnancy and Courtney Love’s Marilyn Monroe-inspired look, VMA style has influenced pop culture for decades.

On September 27, 2026, at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles, this tradition continued with daring silhouettes, dramatic textures, and unapologetic glamour.

Hosted by Snoop Dogg, the 2026 ceremony featured Madonna’s return to the stage after 23 years and Taylor Swift receiving the inaugural Artist Director Honours, delivering fashion that was both rebellious and refined.

Stars embraced black as the dominant palette, enhanced by feathers, sheer fabrics, fur, and sculptural details. Below are five standout looks that defined the evening, reflecting both the most discussed arrivals and broader red-carpet trends.

Charli xcx in Saint Laurent: Rock-Star Edge Perfected

Charli XCX embraced her rock-star persona in a custom black velvet Saint Laurent ensemble by Anthony Vaccarello. The look featured a cropped balloon-sleeved top with a sheer mesh panel across the bust and an ultra-low-rise column skirt.

Dramatic sleeves, sleek centre-parted hair, smoky eyes, and FOPE jewellery combined for a look that was both polished and relaxed. This ensemble demonstrated that a little black dress can still make a strong statement when styled with precision.

This ensemble stood out among many black looks by balancing skin-baring elements with structured drama, aligning with the VMAs’ tradition of boundary-pushing style.

Taylor Swift in Tamara Ralph: Elegant Sculptural Glamour

Taylor Swift returned to the VMA red carpet in a Tamara Ralph Fall/Winter 2026 Couture gown, offering a striking contrast to the evening’s more maximalist styles. The gown featured a sleek sleeveless black mock-neck bodice with sheer panels at the waist, transitioning into a dramatic silver skirt with draped, sculptural details.

An asymmetrical back slit revealed strappy silver stilettos, and a single Leviev chandelier earring added subtle sparkle.

Styled by Joseph Cassell Falconer and finished with Etho Maria rings, the look was a glamorous, modern choice that complemented a night celebrating her artistic achievements and the premiere of her “Patient Zero” music video.

Swift’s choice demonstrated that understated elegance can still stand out on a red carpet known for extravagance.

Troye Sivan in Erdem: Gender-Fluid Drama with Feathers

Troye Sivan reaffirmed his reputation for bold red-carpet choices in an Erdem Spring/Summer 2027 look, originally presented as a dress. He wore a tailored suit jacket with an asymmetrical draped waist and white feather-plume trim, paired with black pants.

Structured tailoring and theatrical feathers created a striking, layered silhouette that explored themes of gender, fashion, and expression, which are central to Sivan’s artistry.

Styled by Marc Forne, the ensemble stood out for its originality and confident execution in a year with few traditional suits on the carpet.

Teyana Taylor in Zuhair Murad: Maximalist Naked-Dress Drama

Teyana Taylor delivered dramatic impact in a Zuhair Murad Fall/Winter 2026 Couture gown that initiated the evening’s naked-dress trend.

The sheer, crochet-like black design featured a plunging neckline, belted waist, feathered cuffs, and a dramatic ostrich-feather-trimmed hem that pooled on the floor.

Her swept-up hair, as reported, emphasised the neckline, while the overall effect combined old-Hollywood glamour with modern, skin-baring confidence.

Nominated for Best Collaboration for “Hard Part,” Taylor’s look reinforced her status as a consistent red-carpet presence.

PinkPantheress in Nina Ricci: Fresh and Unexpected

Completing the top five, PinkPantheress selected Nina Ricci for a look that introduced a lighter, unexpected energy.

While many stars favoured black and heavy textures, her choice offered a refreshing contrast, reflecting both her rising status and the event’s mix of established and new talent. The ensemble contributed to the creative risk-taking that defines VMA fashion.

Broader Trends and Why These Looks Matter

Beyond these five, the 2026 red carpet featured recurring themes such as feathers and fur, as seen on Lisa’s red Quine Li coat and The Attico dress; snakeskin and Y2K influences, with Tyla in Mowalola; leather and Western details; and many midriff-baring silhouettes.

Colour was mostly subdued except for bold statements like Lisa’s scarlet look, while textures such as velvet, lace, sheer fabrics, and embellishments were prominent.

These standout looks endure because they balance the VMAs’ rebellious spirit with genuine craftsmanship and personal expression.

Charli’s velvet rock-star style, Swift’s sculptural elegance, Sivan’s feathered gender expression, Taylor’s maximalist approach, and PinkPantheress’s fresh perspective each represented a unique aspect of contemporary pop-star fashion.

When red-carpet fashion can feel predictable, the 2026 Video Music Awards reaffirmed the VMAs as fashion’s most dynamic stage, where clothing becomes a cultural statement.

As award-show season continues, these outfits are likely to influence trends beyond September, including low-rise silhouettes, dramatic sleeves, and the continued revival of feathers and sheer fabrics.

The 2026 VMAs celebrated music videos and set a standard for impactful red-carpet fashion.

Photo: Getty Images