The Best Dressed Stars of the 2026 VMAs, According to 2 Fashion Experts

If there’s one red carpet where fashion rules are meant to be broken, it’s the MTV VMAs.

This year, stars leaned all the way in, serving up sheer fabrics, lace, corsets, rhinestones, dramatic silhouettes and plenty of skin. Also at the 2026 awards ceremony, Taylor Swift arrived in a “Patient Zero”-inspired dress, Adam Lambert wore a headpiece spelling out his name, Brandon Sklenar went blond and Sombr had an unforgettable belt.

Fashion experts Maggie Gillette, a principal at The Curio, and Julie DuRocher, design director at Jovani, weigh in on the night’s standout style moments.

Paris Hilton

DuRocher is loving Paris Hilton’s fresh take on red carpet glamour.

“Paris Hilton is giving us a very new-age look,” DuRocher says. “I love how polished and modern it feels while still having that signature Paris glamour. It feels fresh for her and perfectly suited to the VMAs.”

Lucky Daye

The R&B singer’s Campillo ensemble was Gillette’s standout among the men’s fashion.

“The wrap detail felt so chic and I love that they used a clasp instead of buttons as a closure,” Gillette says, particularly praising the unusual fastening.

To Gillette, the detail feels like a natural progression of another menswear trend. “It felt like the evolution to the men’s brooch trend we’ve been seeing on celebs this year.”

She also loved the fabric’s subtle sheen, noting that “that’s atypical for menswear and works so well here!”

Normani

Normani’s ensemble struck DuRocher as a cool mix of sexy, feminine and fashion forward.

“I love the combination of that jersey-like, leather-inspired look with the dramatic flower at the dropped torso and the fit-and-flare silhouette,” she says. “It feels cool and fashion-forward while still being very feminine.”

For DuRocher, the overall effect is “modern pageant glamour in the best way.”

Carter Gregory

Carter Gregory, vice president of A&R at Capitol Music Group, leaned fully into rock-and-roll glamour in archival Tom Ford.

“Carter Gregory wearing archival Tom Ford was peak rock and roll,” Gillette says. She points to the leather pants and leopard print as a particularly bold combination.

The unexpected color combination also kept the ensemble feeling contemporary. The black and brown, she says, “kept this look feeling fashion forward and modern.”

Teyana Taylor

Teyana Taylor knows how to make an entrance, and both fashion experts took notice.

Gillette called Taylor’s Zuhair Murad Couture look “gothic glam at its finest,” pointing to the crochet-inspired fabric, dramatic neckline and lush feather details. The result, she says, was “red carpet alchemy.”

DuRocher was equally enthusiastic about Taylor’s revealing gown.

“This is how you wear a revealing dress to an awards show, it’s provocative, but it still feels elegant,” she says. “I love the lace and beaded detailing and the way the look plays with coverage and skin.”

Nicky Hilton

DuRocher immediately noticed the rhinestones, sheer detailing and form-fitting silhouette.

“I especially love the detail in the back. The dress itself is a wow moment,” she says.

Lisa Rinna

Lisa Rinna brought a little ’80s glamour to the VMAs, and DuRocher was here for it.

“I love the white dress paired with her short, bleached hair, the entire look feels very ’80s in the best possible way,” she says.

It’s the cohesion of the styling that really works for her. “Everything works together, from the styling to the silhouette, and she looks completely put together,” DuRocher says.

Olandria Carthen

The “Love Island” star brought early-2000s pop-star energy to the VMAs in a lace-up MMS look.

“Olandria seemed to be channeling a pop star from the early aughts in this laced up MMS look that hit on both the textural and corseting trends we saw all over the red carpet tonight,” Gillette says.

She could even picture a certain pop icon in it: “I could absolutely see Christina Aguilera wearing something like this to the VMAs 25 years ago.”

Gillette also loved the way Carthen modernized the look with the red details and feminine bow at the hem, which played against the tougher leather.

Sienna Spiro

Sienna Spiro, who won the award for best new artist, caught DuRocher’s eye for an entirely different reason: intricate femininity.

“Sienna Spiro’s gown is so intricate and delicate,” she says. “I love the detailing throughout the dress and the way it feels incredibly feminine while still making an impact on the carpet.”

“The shape and embellishment give it a beautiful sense of glamour without feeling overdone,” DuRocher says.

Lisa

Lisa made a case for red and then doubled down with an oversized matching jacket.

“Lisa looks spectacular,” DuRocher says. “I love the red dress paired with that big, oversized red jacket, it feels bold, glamorous and incredibly current.”

She also sees the outfit as a snapshot of two major trends coming together. “Red is having such a moment right now, and so is lace, so I love seeing those trends come together here.”

Troye Sivan

Troye Sivan, the Australian singer, took a more unexpected approach in Erdem, and Gillette loved the contrast.

“The interplay between the masculine suit with the very high almost Edwardian collar against the draped silk and feathers is such a strong contrast especially since everything is in black and super crisp optic white,” she says.