The MTV Video Music Awards red carpet is unique in the sense that it celebrates unapologetic self-expression. In other words, it’s where camp meets high fashion, and where a giant Doritos costume can share space with archival Chanel . In this arena of calculated risks, some stars soar, while for others, they simply fail at it. In my books, style alchemy isn’t merely wearing something loud or expensive, its rather having a cohesive vision, an understanding of proportion, and a touch of effortless glamour, even when wearing the most outrageous fits.
Now that the dust has settled on the 2025 VMAs, we’re left to examine the looks that, despite their bold and well meaning intentions, didn’t quite give the audience the “whoa” moment. Here’s a constructive breakdown of five celebrities whose outfits missed the mark, and what could have saved them.
- Ayra Starr:
Her Look: A black leather and mesh bandage-style catsuit with a pixie cut and heavy gold accessories .
Where It Went Wrong: While concept of a “futuristic warrior princess” for the Afrobeats star is powerful, the execution felt more constricting than commanding. The complex web of straps and panels created a busy, almost cluttered silhouette that frankly, overpowered Starr’s natural presence. As one review noted, while the look was “goals,” it bordered on being a “costume” rather than a curated fashion statement .
Fixing the Styling: I’ll be quick to concede that I see the vision, he powerful idea was there but a more streamlined approach (maybe a sleek, single-shoulder leather jumpsuit or a tailored bodice with a dramatic, fluid skirt) would have maintained the fierce, armored concept without sacrificing elegance. Removing just 30% of the straps would have allowed her powerful performance energy to shine through.
- Dakota Fanning:
Her Look: A simple T-shirt and jeans.
Where It Went Wrong: On any other day, this outfit would be a perfectly acceptable model-off-duty look. But the VMAs are the antithesis of casual. This choice felt less like a “quiet protest” against fashion excesses and more like a fundamental misunderstanding of the assignment. In a sea of plaid, sheer fabric, and feathered boas , it read as a lack of effort, not a statement.
Fixing the Styling: If the goal was minimalist cool, the pieces needed to be impeccable and intentional. Imagine a crisp, structured white shirt unbuttoned to the waist, paired with perfectly tailored, high-waisted black leather trousers and sharp-toed boots. The simplicity would have been a statement in itself, reading as confident and chic rather than underwhelming.
- Summer Walker:
Her Look: A massive, furry light-blue hat that dominated her look, paired with a white corset and rhinestone-studded capris .
Where It Went Wrong: The hat wasn’t merely the accessory here; it was the entire outfit and it completely overwhelmed Walker’s frame making it impossible to appreciate any other detail of her look. If Walker’s stylist was going for the concept of “whimsical”, it failed because it tipped over into impractical spectacle, obscuring the star herself.
Fixing the Styling: A smaller, more sculptural fascinator or a sleek, tailored bucket hat in the same furry texture would have delivered the same whimsical punch without acting as a visual black hole. This would have allowed the clever details of her corset and jewelry to shine as well and not get lost in it.
- Yungblud:
His Look: A shirtless appearance under a fur-trimmed leather jacket, leather pants, and a signature cross necklace .
Where It Went Wrong: While the tribute to his mentor Ozzy Osbourne with the necklace was deeply moving , the rest of the look felt like a checklist of rockstar clichés without a cohesive thread. It was more “costume party” than “authentic punk,” lacking the specific, curated edge that defines his best looks.
Fixing the Styling: The solution was right there: the necklace. Building the entire look around that single, meaningful item would have been far more creative. A pair of shredded, tailored black trousers, heavy, worn-in combat boots, and just the necklace on his bare chest would have been a raw, authentic, and infinitely cooler homage to Ozzy’s legacy. Sometimes, less is more, even for punk enthusiasts.
- Ciara: The Silhouette Struggle
Her Look: An oversized, red Schiaparelli bomber jacket hybrid worn as a mini-dress .
Where It Went Wrong: Ciara is a known fashion risk-taker who usually nails avant-garde looks. However, this voluminous top-half created an awkward, top-heavy silhouette that hid her incredible physique and legendary grace. The clash of proportions (a giant jacket with a tiny skirt) felt unbalanced and unintentionally awkward, detracting from the high-fashion intent of the Schiaparelli design.
Fixing the Styling: The dramatic jacket had potential. Styling it open over a simple, sleek, and form-fitting crimson catsuit or column dress would have maintained the high-impact color and avant-garde spirit while creating a fluid, powerful, and flattering line. This would have given her the structure to own the look, rather than letting the look wear her.
The Golden Rule of the Red Carpet
Ultimately, the best red-carpet fashion (whether it’s Conan Gray’s 30-pound “denim behemoth” or Sabrina Carpenter’s elegant Valentino gown) succeeds because it feels like a true extension of the artist. The missed marks above weren’t failures of boldness, but often of editing, cohesion, or understanding the scale of the moment. In fashion, the best looks tell a clear story; the confusing ones, unfortunately, get lost in translation. Here’s to more clear, confident, and unforgettable stories at the next VMAs.
