Best and Worst Dressed Celebrities at the 2022 VMAs
A detailed look at the boldest, most beautiful, and most bizarre red carpet looks from the 2022 MTV VMAs.
The MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) have long been a showcase for daring and unconventional celebrity style, and the 2022 ceremony was no exception. As the music world’s boldest talents gathered, the red carpet turned into a battleground of high fashion, experimental hits, and infamous misses. Here’s a complete breakdown of the most memorable celebrity looks—ranging from effortlessly chic ensembles to the gloriously outrageous.
The Defining VMAs Fashion Moments
The VMAs red carpet is celebrated for its embrace of risk, where nothing is truly off-limits. Each year, artists and celebrities strive to outdo both each other and themselves, pushing personal style and sartorial boundaries. Whether dazzling, divisive, or downright wild, these looks always keep fans—and critics—talking.
Best-Dressed Celebrities of the Night
Blackpink: Lisa, Jisoo, Jennie, and Rosé
Group Cohesion in High Fashion: The members of Blackpink—Lisa in Celine, Jisoo in Dior, Jennie Kim in Chanel, and Rosé in Saint Laurent—demonstrated how to channel refined elegance while still turning VMAs heads. Each artist reflected her signature style yet, as a group, they achieved an impressively cohesive aesthetic. Their coordinated black ensembles, tailored silhouettes, and tasteful accessories showed attention to detail without sacrificing individuality. Blackpink proved that minimalism can make a major statement when executed perfectly.
- Lisa: Sleek and contemporary in Celine
- Jisoo: Classic refinement with Dior
- Jennie: Subtle edginess via Chanel
- Rosé: Understated glamour in Saint Laurent
Jack Harlow in Hermès
Modern Cool in Leather: Jack Harlow personified effortless cool in a head-to-toe black Hermès leather suit. Amid the August humidity of New Jersey, his choice may not have been seasonal, but the attitude and confidence carried him through. The precision of tailoring and classic lines, elevated by Jack’s swagger, resulted in one of the night’s most polished menswear moments.
Måneskin in Gucci
Glam Rock Royalty: The glam-rock band Måneskin undeniably embraced their rock ethos with a riot of textures and embellishments courtesy of Gucci. From rhinestone-encrusted capes and sheer bustiers to sequined checkerboard suits, their looks merged glam excess with undeniable style coherence. Måneskin captured the uninhibited spirit of the VMAs and turned the carpet into a theater of the unexpected.
- Bold use of rhinestones, sheer fabrics, and statement accessories
- Chic, vampiric group aesthetic
Conan Gray in Harris Reed
Soft Glam Meets Rock Attitude: Making his VMAs debut, singer Conan Gray stepped out in a Harris Reed ensemble that was equal parts romantic and edgy. The outfit’s architectural structure, flowing lines, and towering platform shoes created a memorable blend of femininity and rockstar bravado.
Khalid in Versace
Laid-Back High Fashion: Making waves in a bright and playful Versace suit, Khalid balanced a bold color palette with relaxed confidence. The outfit offered a welcome pop of color on the carpet and demonstrated that even high fashion can feel easy and approachable. While some had mixed feelings about his footwear, the overall look epitomized casually high-end style.
The Most Unusual and Wild Looks
Tate McRae in Niné
Cavewoman Chic: Few could have predicted Tate McRae’s prehistoric-inspired look, which married a modern silhouette with primal textures and draping. She wowed in custom Niné, embracing animalistic glamour and standing out as someone unafraid to experiment. Although destined for both praise and retrospective confusion, McRae’s fearless fashion attitude secured her place among the night’s style icons.
Måneskin in Gucci (Again!)
Audacious Italian Glam: Their styling deserves double mention—not just for coordination but also for pushing the envelope of what rock bands can wear on major red carpets. The use of sequins, netting, and dramatic capes invigorated the proceedings with much-needed energy.
Conan Gray in Harris Reed
Glam with a Twist: Conan’s flowing, avant-garde suit captured both whimsical romanticism and unmistakable confidence. With gender-bending details and a poised presence, his look sparked much discussion and became a favorite among trend forecasters.
Red Carpet Misses: The Worst Dressed List
Bebe Rexha in Vivienne Westwood
Unadventurous Elegance: Bebe’s gown was classic Vivienne Westwood, and she wore it well. However, compared to the night’s fashion risk-takers, her look came off as too safe and forgettable for such a playful event. In the bolder light of the VMAs, subdued elegance ran the risk of feeling dull.
Dixie D’Amelio in Alexandre Vauthier
Underwhelming and Conventional: Known for her bold social media persona, Dixie D’Amelio opted for a minimalist black look that didn’t stand out amidst the chaos of more inventive outfits. While perfectly appropriate for another event, it felt generic and lacked impact on the VMAs carpet.
J Balvin in Louis Vuitton
Sizing Missteps: J Balvin took a minimalist approach (except for his vibrant hair), but critics noted that his Louis Vuitton suit seemed several sizes too big. The oversized fit distracted from the sleek styling elsewhere, proving that even high fashion can falter with poor tailoring choices.
Bebe Rexha (Again!)
Safe and Forgettable: Her understated dress was elegant but unremarkable, surprising for someone usually known for bolder outfits. It barely registered among such a high-wattage crowd.
Dixie D’Amelio (Again!)
Styling That Didn’t Stand Out: The overly conventional silhouette and basic black pumps were a misfire for a night of envelope-pushing fashion.
Analysis: What Makes a VMAs Look Work?
The VMAs red carpet isn’t about classic beauty or timeless elegance—it’s about intention, execution, and memorability. Successful looks share several traits:
- Confidence: The best-dressed walk with conviction, owning their choices, however outlandish.
- Creativity: Unique concepts, unexpected combinations, or reinterpretations of iconic styles set the trendsetters apart from the crowd.
- Cohesion: Even the wildest look works if it feels complete—from hair and makeup to accessories and attitude.
- Tailoring: No amount of high-fashion branding can overcome bad fit—flawless tailoring remains non-negotiable.
By contrast, red carpet misses usually happen when the look is either too safe to be memorable, poorly executed, or ill-fitting—no matter how famous the designer name on the label.
Trendspotting: Key VMAs 2022 Fashion Themes
| Trend | Description | Notable Celebrities |
|---|---|---|
| Monochrome Black | All-black ensembles with texture and layered fabrics for depth and sophistication. | Blackpink, Dixie D’Amelio, Jack Harlow |
| Glam Rock | Bold embellishments, metallics, and references to 1970s/80s glam bands. | Måneskin, Conan Gray |
| Understated Minimalism | Simple, tailored suits with subtle styling and focus on fit or unique hair. | J Balvin, Bebe Rexha |
| Playful Color & Texture | Bright hues and unexpected materials to add a sense of fun. | Khalid |
| Experimental Silhouettes | Asymmetry, dramatic shapes, or futuristic elements pushing boundaries of classic cuts. | Tate McRae, Conan Gray |
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Why are the VMAs red carpet looks often so wild and unconventional?
A: The VMAs have a legacy as the music industry’s most irreverent awards show, with celebrities embracing freedom and fun. The event’s informal, youth-driven energy encourages risk-taking, making it a place for stars to experiment fearlessly with style and image.
Q: Who set the biggest fashion trend at the 2022 VMAs?
A: Blackpink’s cohesive, all-black high fashion was widely praised for its refined simplicity. Meanwhile, Måneskin’s glam rock styling and Conan Gray’s gender-fluid, avant-garde ensemble set the tone for bold experimentation. These trends—monochromatic looks and glam-inspired excess—dominated the night.
Q: Were there any standout fashion newcomers at the 2022 VMAs?
A: Singer Conan Gray made a memorable VMAs debut, quickly being recognized as one of the evening’s fashion standouts. Tate McRae also turned heads with her daring and unexpected outfit, earning her place in future best-dressed debates.
Q: Is it possible to be considered ‘worst dressed’ at the VMAs—even deliberately?
A: Absolutely—the spirit of the event celebrates risk, but that freedom means looks can succeed or fail loudly. Sometimes the biggest style ‘fails’ become the most talked-about and even iconic VMAs moments in retrospect.
Conclusion: The Lasting Power of VMAs Red Carpet Fashion
The 2022 VMAs red carpet once again proved why it’s revered as a yearly fashion spectacle. Whether artists hit it big with glamorous innovation or missed the mark with subdued or ill-fitting choices, the collective style energy pushes pop culture fashion forward. The unpredictability and individuality seen on display serve as a reminder: sometimes it’s the risks—and not just the flawless looks—that remain unforgettable. In a world of cookie-cutter celebrity style, the VMAs red carpet will always be its own wild, wonderful universe.
References
- https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/fashion/g41012235/best-worst-dressed-vmas-2022/
- https://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/celebs/g41010929/2022-vmas-red-carpet-pictures/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NieB2lAl9yw
- https://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/music/a65961277/vmas-performers-2025/
- https://www.cosmopolitanme.com/tags/best-dressed
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