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The Best and Worst Dressed Stars at the 2019 Grammys: Red Carpet Fashion Reviewed

From breathtaking couture to meme-worthy misses, relive the most talked-about fashion moments from the 2019 Grammy Awards red carpet.

By Medha deb

Created on Oct 3, 2025

From breathtaking couture to meme-worthy misses, relive the most talked-about fashion moments from the 2019 Grammy Awards red carpet.

The Grammys 2019: A Night of Red Carpet Fashion Surprises

On February 10, 2019, the Staples Center in Los Angeles hosted the 61st Annual Grammy Awards against a backdrop of anticipation, controversy, and overwhelming excitement. While notable artists like Kendrick Lamar, Childish Gambino, and Drake refrained from performing, the show was still ablaze with star power, hosting a lineup that included music legends, emerging talents, and celebrities who turned the red carpet into a high-stakes fashion runway.

From dazzling couture gowns to avant-garde experiments—and more than a few puzzling ensembles—the night was a spectacular showcase of individual style, risk-taking, and pop culture moments. Below, we break down the most unforgettable, glamorous, and controversial looks from the 2019 Grammys red carpet, analyzing each celebrity’s sartorial choices and ranking them among the best and worst dressed.

Most Unforgettable Looks

Cardi B in Archival Mugler: Cardi B’s arrival drew gasps and applause. Her vintage 1995 Mugler couture was one of the night’s wildest, most memorable fashion statements—a black velvet and blush creation unfurling around her in waves, reminiscent of Botticelli’s Birth of Venus. She paired this with pearl strands and an embellished headpiece, cementing her image as the night’s high fashion darling.
Key standout: Architectural drama, risk-taking, and a nod to iconic fashion history.
Lady Gaga in Celine: Gaga channeled Old Hollywood glamour in a shimmering silver strapless column gown by Celine, complete with a dramatic train and icy diamonds. Her look was both sophisticated and celebratory—a big relief for the pop star herself, who reportedly felt free from restrictive outfits.
Key standout: Classic, elegant, with a modern twist.

Red Carpet Risk-Takers

Kacey Musgraves in Valentino: Kacey floated down the carpet in a soft pink tulle couture dress with a bold red sash and fan silhouette. The romantic, ethereal design was as dreamy as her music.
Key standout: Soft palette, voluminous structure, unbridled elegance.
Dua Lipa in Versace: Dua wowed in a metallic silver-and-blue gown by Versace, featuring a plunging neckline, open back, and layered train. Her sleek bob and matching accessories elevated the futuristic vibe.
Key standout: Futuristic glamour, clean lines, statement fabric.
Miley Cyrus in Mugler: Miley blended classic tailoring with a modern edge, wearing an oversized black jacket and flared trousers from Mugler. The gold-embellished heels added a playful detail.
Key standout: Empowered suiting, minimalist style, subtle luxury.
Bebe Rexha in Monsoori: Bebe’s voluminous red ruffled gown turned heads for its dramatic silhouette and bold color, paired with a plunging neckline and delicate train.
Key standout: Fierce color, flowing layers, unapologetic glamour.

Avant-Garde and Outrageous Moments

Katy Perry in Balmain: Katy’s look quickly became the subject of online memes and commentary for its ballooning pastry-like skirt. The silver bodice melded into a billowing pink tulle base, causing some to compare her gown to Hostess Sno Balls, Barbie cakes, and tissue paper ornaments. It was confectionary couture gone wild.
Key standout: High-concept, divisive, viral social media impact.
Kylie Jenner in Balmain: Kylie abandoned her usual curve-hugging style for a bubblegum pink jumpsuit, complete with glove sleeves and a white bedazzled belt. The look, also by Balmain, left spectators confused—Cosmopolitan dubbed it “the most un-Kylie outfit” and called the whole ensemble a “confusing pink mess.”
Key standout: Surreal shapes, experimental but unflattering.
Janelle Monáe in Jean Paul Gaultier: Janelle’s ’80s-inspired look had a hyper-plunging neckline and exaggerated power shoulders. While striking, it was polarizing—some found it refreshing and others felt it veered too close to Dynasty’s excesses.
Key standout: Power shoulders, vintage nostalgia, daring cleavage.

Best Dressed Highlights

St. Vincent in Giambattista Valli Couture: A bold floral one-piece with a caped train made St. Vincent’s look as artistic as her music.
Why it worked: Creative design, custom tailoring, strong personality.
Camila Cabello in Armani Privé: Camila sparkled in a full-length sequined gown, with an open back that added drama and sophistication.
Why it worked: Perfect fit, classic shimmer, event-appropriate statement.
Leon Bridges in Bode: Leon’s head-to-toe Texas-inspired ensemble, created by New York designer Bode, featured homages to Ford Motor Co., his single status, and home state pride—a whimsical, deeply personal outfit.
Why it worked: Expressive storytelling, unique touches, attention to detail.

Biggest Fashion Misses

Heidi Klum in Stephane Rolland: Heidi’s dramatic winged dress drew mixed reviews, with many comparing it to leftover Victoria’s Secret Angel attire—a style she knows all too well.
Missed mark: Costume-like, distracting silhouette.
Charlie Puth in Prada: Charlie’s cognac-colored suit was ill-fitting and awkward, leading to questions about styling and tailoring.
Missed mark: Poor fit, uninspired choice.
Joy Villa in Pro-Trump Gown: Joy made headlines for wearing a “border wall” themed dress, turning the red carpet into a polarizing political statement. The outfit quickly trended for all the wrong reasons.
Missed mark: Political instead of fashionable, controversial.
Ricky Rebel: Escorting Joy Villa, Ricky wore a jacket mirroring Joy’s previous political gown, compounding the red carpet’s flashpoint moments.
Missed mark: Controversial, overtly political.

Comparative Table: Style Triumphs vs. Troubled Looks

Celebrity	Designer/Brand	Best/Worst	Memorable Features
Cardi B	Mugler (Archival)	Best	Iconic, sculptural, high drama
Lady Gaga	Celine	Best	Old Hollywood, silver shimmer
Katy Perry	Balmain	Worst	Pastry-shaped, viral memes
Kylie Jenner	Balmain	Worst	Surreal jumpsuit, glove sleeves
Dua Lipa	Versace	Best	Metallic, sleek, modern train
Bebe Rexha	Monsoori	Best	Plunging neckline, red ruffles
Heidi Klum	Stephane Rolland	Worst	Winged design, dramatic excess
Charlie Puth	Prada	Worst	Ill-fitting, unflattering color

Red Carpet Trends at the 2019 Grammys

Bold Shoulders: Power shoulders were everywhere, from Janelle Monáe’s Jean Paul Gaultier to Kylie Jenner’s bubblegum pink jumpsuit.
Tulle and Ruffles: Bebe Rexha and Kacey Musgraves showcased voluminous tulle and multi-layered ruffles, emphasizing romantic fantasy and high drama.
Metallics and Sequins: Dua Lipa and Camila Cabello dazzled with sparkling, reflective fabrics—an ongoing red carpet favorite.
Personal and Political Statements: Joy Villa and Ricky Rebel used their outfits to communicate political opinions, continuing the Grammys trend of fashion as self-expression and statement.
Throwback Nostalgia: The influence of ’80s fashion appeared in exaggerated styling, plunging necklines, and high-impact accessories.

Iconic Accessories and Beauty Statements

Beyond dresses and suits, celebrities utilized accessories and beauty details to up the ante:

Pearls and headpieces: Cardi B’s look included strands of pearls and an ornate headpiece, exuding goddess energy.
Natural makeup: Katy Perry’s minimalist approach softened her dramatic gown, offering a subtle counterbalance.
Sleek hairstyles: Dua Lipa, Lady Gaga, and Miley Cyrus opted for modern, chic hairdos that highlighted their bone structure and complemented their attire.
Mismatched earrings: Katy Perry’s playful feather earrings brought a sense of whimsy to her otherwise overwhelming ensemble.
Custom footwear: Miley Cyrus’s Mugler suit was finished with gold-accented shoes for a personal touch.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What was the dominant fashion trend at the 2019 Grammys?

A: Bold silhouettes and statement shoulders dominated, with tulle, metallics, and political messages adding variety.

Q: Who was considered the best dressed of the night?

A: Cardi B in vintage Mugler, Lady Gaga in Celine, and Dua Lipa in Versace were widely praised for their standout looks.

Q: Which celebrity had the most controversial outfit?

A: Joy Villa attracted controversy with a gown referencing political issues, sparking wide debate and media attention.

Q: Did any men make a fashion statement on the red carpet?

A: Yes, Leon Bridges paid homage to his Texas roots with a personalized outfit by Bode, while Charlie Puth made headlines for all the wrong reasons with an ill-fitting Prada suit.

Q: How did fans and critics react to Katy Perry and Kylie Jenner’s looks?

A: Both were subjects of viral memes and online debate, with Katy Perry’s gown compared to pastries and Kylie Jenner’s look dubbed confusing and unflattering.

Final Thoughts: Celebrity Fashion at the 2019 Grammys

The 2019 Grammy Awards red carpet reaffirmed that music’s biggest night is just as much about personal style and artistic risk-taking as it is about honoring excellence in music. From Cardi B’s unforgettable couture moment to Joy Villa’s political showmanship and Katy Perry’s unexpected pastry transformation, the Grammys delivered a master class in fashion highs and lows.

No matter the outcome, each star’s choice generated conversation, reaction, and inspiration—proving, once again, that at the Grammys, the red carpet is where the show truly begins.

References

Author

medha deb

Medha Deb is an editor with a master's degree in Applied Linguistics from the University of Hyderabad. She believes that her qualification has helped her develop a deep understanding of language and its application in various contexts.

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