The best looks from MTV Video Music Awards 2024

The MTV Video Music Awards annual award show has a reputation for outlandish style dating back to 1984. Several attendees appeared to pay homage to the Queen of Pop on this year’s red carpet.

Addison Rae and Anitta both opted for bold takes on bridalwear, with the latter’s Dolce & Gabbana look completed with a veil and stiletto heels. Artist of the Year nominee Sabrina Carpenter, meanwhile, arrived in a strapless vintage Bob Mackie gown originally worn by Madonna to the 1991 Oscars.

There were several other fashion throwbacks on a nostalgia-heavy night, from Halsey’s archive Versace gown, which was last worn by Elizabeth Hurley in 1996, to GloRilla’s Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes-inspired hairdo. Taylor Swift appeared to channel the iconic yellow plaid look worn by the character Cher Horowitz in ‘90s hit “Clueless,” in an edgier iteration by Dior. Social media users meanwhile joked that Lil Nas X’s bold helmeted outfit was also a reference to another 1990s icon: the Pink Ranger.

This year’s red carpet was, in fact, black — and many stars arrived in suitably dark shades and goth-inspired looks. Suki Waterhouse and Margaret Qualley, in Dolce & Gabbana and Chanel respectively, were among those opting for elegant (and, in their cases, feathery) black gowns. Singer Benson Boone wore a lacy, see-through black top with embellished footwear.

Elsewhere, award host Megan Thee Stallion’s eye-catching take on the little black dress featured a corseted bodice and a skirt that flared out above and below the knee, rather than the waist. Chappell Roan, nominated as Best New Artist, went full goth-glam in a floor-length Y/Project gown with a cross pendant and long nails emerging from fingerless chainmail gloves.

See below for some of the red carpet’s best looks.

Triple nominee Tyla wore a fringe corset top and mini skirt straight from Area’s runway show at New York Fashion Week.

Katy Perry, who was honored with the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award, wore a one-shouldered crop top and floor-length skirt by US label Who Decides War.

Lil Scrappy arrived in a casual leather two-piece with Gucci sneakers.

Award host Megan Thee Stallion’s eye-catching gown featured a corseted bodice and flared out above and below the knee.

GloRilla appeared to nod to TLC’s Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes with her sculptural, gravity-defying hairdo.

Lil Nas X’s bold pink outfit left social media users wondering whether he was channeling his inner Power Ranger.

MTV Video Music Awards

Taylor Swift wore an outfit from Dior’s Cruise 2025 collection featuring a plaid taffeta bustier and skirt with black velvet shorts.

Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles arrived on the red carpet just days after making her runway debut at New York Fashion Week.

MTV Video Music Awards

Halle Bailey.

Best New Artist nominee Shaboozey pulled off a denim look.

Big Sean looked suave in a loose-fitting dark suit.