The 28 Most Outrageous Outfits on the MTV VMAs Red Carpet

Edward Barsamian

Updated August 18, 2018 at 10:57 AM

At the MTV VMA's, these stars proved that they know how to make an entrance in grand—and directional fashion.

Fans have become accustomed to warp-speed post-baby recovery, but we shouldn’t be.

Outrageous Outfits on the MTV VMAs Red Carpet

Cindy Crawford in Versace (with Denis Leary), 1992
Photo: Getty Images

Carmen Electra, 1997
Photo: Getty Images

Marilyn Manson and Rose McGowan, 1998
Photo: Getty Images

Lil’ Kim in custom Misa Hylton, 1999
Photo: Getty Images

Jennifer Lopez in Sean John with Sean Combs, 2000
Photo: Getty Images

Christina Aguilera in Roberto Cavalli, 2003
Photo: Getty Images

Jennifer Lopez, 2006
Photo: Getty Images

Kanye West in Balmain and Timberland, 2009
Photo: Getty Images

Lady Gaga in Jean Paul Gaultier, 2009
Photo: Getty Images

Cher in Bob Mackie, 2010
Photo: Getty Images

Lady Gaga in Alexander McQueen, 2010
Photo: Getty Images

Nicki Minaj in Amato Couture, 2011
Photo: Getty Images

Selena Gomez in Atelier Versace, 2013
Photo: Getty Images

Katy Perry in Atelier Versace (with Riff Raff), 2014
Photo: Getty Images

Z LaLa in Merlin Castell, 2015
Photo: Getty Images

Miley Cyrus in Atelier Versace, 2015
Photo: Getty Images

Blac Chyna and Amber Rose, 2015
Photo: Getty Images

Gigi Hadid in Emilia Wickstead, 2015
Photo: Getty Images

Beyoncé in Francesco Scognamiglio, 2016
Photo: Getty Images

Kim Kardashian West in vintage John Galliano, 2016
Photo: Getty Images

Rita Ora in Marc Jacobs, 2016
Photo: Getty Images

Cardi B in custom Christian Siriano, 2017
Photo: Getty Images

Jared Leto in Gucci, 2017
Photo: Getty Images

Lorde in Monique Lhuillier, 2017
Photo: Getty Images

Miley Cyrus in custom Jeremy Scott, 2017
Photo: Getty Images

The MTV VMAs—which take place on Monday at Radio City Music Hall in New York—have always been a place for musicians to walk on the wild side as far as style goes. In the award show’s 24-year history, there have been plenty of memorable—and decidedly outrageous—fashion moments. Madonna set the tone at the very first show in 1984. She captured the world’s attention attention emerging from a 17-foot wedding cake wearing a bridal dress in her performance of “Like a Virgin.” The red carpet has played host to some equally impressive turns, with everyone from Beyoncé to Marilyn Manson making their mark in distinctive dress.

Supermodel Cindy Crawford kept things cool in a Versace harness at the 1992 ceremony, paving the way for Mariah Carey’s leg-baring moment (1997) and Rose McGowan’s barely there dress (1998). The most outré and fabulous end of the VMA carpet? That award should probably go to Lil’ Kim for the glittering pasty confection she wore in 1999; though Lady Gaga’s Phantom of the Opera–inspired definitely comes in at a close second.

For more recent high-impact ensembles, look no further than Cher, who went in her signature sparkle by Bob Mackie in 2010; Katy Perry, who updated Britney and Justin’s double-denim look in Atelier Versace in 2014; and Beyoncé, who glided into the show wearing a feather-trimmed Francesco Scognamiglio in 2016 with her adorable daughter Blue Ivy in tow.

In anticipation of this year’s ceremony, a look back on some of the MTV VMA red carpet’s most outrageous style moments.

See Every Look from the 2017 MTV VMA's

MTV VMAs 2017: Fashion—Live From the Red Carpet

<h1 class="title">Nicki Minaj in Djula, Lynn Ban, and Harry Kotlar jewelry</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Nicki Minaj in Djula, Lynn Ban, and Harry Kotlar jewelry
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Jared Leto in Gucci and Carrera sunglasses</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Jared Leto in Gucci and Carrera sunglasses
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Kesha</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Kesha
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Alessandra Ambrosio in Balmain</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Alessandra Ambrosio in Balmain
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Eudoxie Mbouguiengue and Ludacris</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Eudoxie Mbouguiengue and Ludacris
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Hailee Steinfeld in Atelier Versace and Tiffany & Co. jewelry</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Hailee Steinfeld in Atelier Versace and Tiffany & Co. jewelry
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Hailey Baldwin in Zuhair Murad and Jennifer Fisher jewelry</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Hailey Baldwin in Zuhair Murad and Jennifer Fisher jewelry
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Pete Davidson and Cazzie David</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Pete Davidson and Cazzie David
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Olivia Munn in Nicolas Jebran</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Olivia Munn in Nicolas Jebran
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Millie Bobby Brown in Rodarte and Stuart Weitzman</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Millie Bobby Brown in Rodarte and Stuart Weitzman
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Yara Shahidi in Zimmermann</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Yara Shahidi in Zimmermann
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">DeRay Davis</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — DeRay Davis
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Lil Mama</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Lil Mama
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Pink</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Pink
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Bebe Rexha</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Bebe Rexha
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Calvin Harris</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Calvin Harris
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Vanessa Hudgens in Yanina Couture, Sophia Webster shoes, and Eva Fehren jewelry</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Vanessa Hudgens in Yanina Couture, Sophia Webster shoes, and Eva Fehren jewelry
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Katy Perry in Stephane Rolland and Yeprem jewelry</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Katy Perry in Stephane Rolland and Yeprem jewelry
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Mel B and Heidi Klum in Dundas and Lorraine Schwartz jewelry</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Mel B and Heidi Klum in Dundas and Lorraine Schwartz jewelry
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Baby Ariel</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Baby Ariel
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Josh Peck</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Josh Peck
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Noah Cyrus with Garrett Leight California Optical x Mark McNairy sunglasses</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Noah Cyrus with Garrett Leight California Optical x Mark McNairy sunglasses
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">G-Eazy</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — G-Eazy
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Young M.A</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Young M.A
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">21 Savage and Amber Rose in Yousef Aljasmi</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — 21 Savage and Amber Rose in Yousef Aljasmi
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Dylan Sprayberry</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Dylan Sprayberry
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Jeremy Scott</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Jeremy Scott
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Nicole Tuck, DJ Khaled, and Asahd Tuck Khaled</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Nicole Tuck, DJ Khaled, and Asahd Tuck Khaled
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Grayson Dolan and Ethan Dolan</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Grayson Dolan and Ethan Dolan
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Laura Marano in Barbara Bui and Schutz</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Laura Marano in Barbara Bui and Schutz
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Kendrick Lamar in Prada and David Yurman</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Kendrick Lamar in Prada and David Yurman
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Redman and DJ Jayceeoh</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Redman and DJ Jayceeoh
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Shawn Mendes</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Shawn Mendes
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Ivana Baquero</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Ivana Baquero
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Paris Jackson in Christian Dior and Stephen Webster jewelry</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Paris Jackson in Christian Dior and Stephen Webster jewelry
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Vanessa Morgan</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Vanessa Morgan
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Jennie Pegouskie and Ed Sheeran</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Jennie Pegouskie and Ed Sheeran
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Jasmine Sanders in Moschino and Sophia Webster shoes</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Jasmine Sanders in Moschino and Sophia Webster shoes
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Chantel Jeffries</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Chantel Jeffries
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Kodak Black</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Kodak Black
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Conceited</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Conceited
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Lizzo</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Lizzo
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Lil Uzi Vert</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Lil Uzi Vert
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Alissa Violet</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Alissa Violet
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Khalid in Fendi shoes</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Khalid in Fendi shoes
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">August Getty</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — August Getty
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Tyler Posey</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Tyler Posey
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Laura Perlongo and Nev Schulman</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Laura Perlongo and Nev Schulman
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Justina Valentine</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Justina Valentine
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Machine Gun Kelly in Thom Browne</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Machine Gun Kelly in Thom Browne
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Kyle</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Kyle
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Jack Lawless, Joe Jonas, JinJoo Lee, and Cole Whittle</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Jack Lawless, Joe Jonas, JinJoo Lee, and Cole Whittle
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Drake Bell</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Drake Bell
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Jay Versace</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Jay Versace
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Julia Michaels in Christian Dior</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Julia Michaels in Christian Dior
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Billy Eichner</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Billy Eichner
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Ian Bohen</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Ian Bohen
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Demi Lovato in Zuhair Murad and Casadei shoes</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Demi Lovato in Zuhair Murad and Casadei shoes
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Jessica Sula in Jenny Packham and Imagine Vince Camuto shoes</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Jessica Sula in Jenny Packham and Imagine Vince Camuto shoes
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Lil Yachty</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Lil Yachty
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Farrah Abraham</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Farrah Abraham
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Snow Tha Product</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Snow Tha Product
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Chanel West Coast</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Chanel West Coast
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Drew Taggart with Foundrae jewelry and Alex Pall of the Chainsmokers, both in Ermenegildo Zegna Couture</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Drew Taggart with Foundrae jewelry and Alex Pall of the Chainsmokers, both in Ermenegildo Zegna Couture
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Arielle Vandenberg</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Arielle Vandenberg
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Matt Rife</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Matt Rife
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Cardi B in Christian Siriano</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Cardi B in Christian Siriano
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Gigi Gorgeous</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Gigi Gorgeous
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Lorde in Monique Lhuillier</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Lorde in Monique Lhuillier
Photo: Getty Images

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Outrageous Outfits on the MTV VMAs Red Carpet

MTV VMAs 2017: Fashion—Live From the Red Carpet

Nicki Minaj in Djula, Lynn Ban, and Harry Kotlar jewelry

Jared Leto in Gucci and Carrera sunglasses

Kesha

Alessandra Ambrosio in Balmain

Eudoxie Mbouguiengue and Ludacris

Hailee Steinfeld in Atelier Versace and Tiffany & Co. jewelry

Hailey Baldwin in Zuhair Murad and Jennifer Fisher jewelry

Pete Davidson and Cazzie David

Olivia Munn in Nicolas Jebran

Millie Bobby Brown in Rodarte and Stuart Weitzman

Yara Shahidi in Zimmermann

DeRay Davis

Lil Mama

Pink

Bebe Rexha

Calvin Harris

Vanessa Hudgens in Yanina Couture, Sophia Webster shoes, and Eva Fehren jewelry

Katy Perry in Stephane Rolland and Yeprem jewelry

Mel B and Heidi Klum in Dundas and Lorraine Schwartz jewelry

Baby Ariel

Josh Peck

Noah Cyrus with Garrett Leight California Optical x Mark McNairy sunglasses

G-Eazy

Young M.A

21 Savage and Amber Rose in Yousef Aljasmi

Dylan Sprayberry

Jeremy Scott

Nicole Tuck, DJ Khaled, and Asahd Tuck Khaled

Grayson Dolan and Ethan Dolan

Laura Marano in Barbara Bui and Schutz

Kendrick Lamar in Prada and David Yurman

Redman and DJ Jayceeoh

Shawn Mendes

Ivana Baquero

Paris Jackson in Christian Dior and Stephen Webster jewelry

Vanessa Morgan

Jennie Pegouskie and Ed Sheeran

Jasmine Sanders in Moschino and Sophia Webster shoes

Chantel Jeffries

Kodak Black

Conceited

Lizzo

Lil Uzi Vert

Alissa Violet

Khalid in Fendi shoes

August Getty

Tyler Posey

Laura Perlongo and Nev Schulman

Justina Valentine

Machine Gun Kelly in Thom Browne

Kyle

Jack Lawless, Joe Jonas, JinJoo Lee, and Cole Whittle

Drake Bell

Jay Versace

Julia Michaels in Christian Dior

Billy Eichner

Ian Bohen

Demi Lovato in Zuhair Murad and Casadei shoes

Jessica Sula in Jenny Packham and Imagine Vince Camuto shoes

Lil Yachty

Farrah Abraham

Snow Tha Product

Chanel West Coast

Drew Taggart with Foundrae jewelry and Alex Pall of the Chainsmokers, both in Ermenegildo Zegna Couture

Arielle Vandenberg

Matt Rife

Cardi B in Christian Siriano

Gigi Gorgeous

Lorde in Monique Lhuillier

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