The VMAs Red Carpet Always Pushes Boundaries—See the Best Looks of 2026

See all the boundary-pushing looks from the 2026 VMAs red carpet.

After a six-month break, award-show season started off on September 14 with the Emmys, celebrating television with stars like Zendaya, Carey Mulligan, Elle Fanning, and Ayo Edebiri in attendance. Tonight, September 27, the spotlight turns to the music industry for the MTV Video Music Awards.

For decades, defining cultural moments have happened at the VMAs, such as Britney Spears's iconic 2001 snake performance. Taking place at the historic Peacock Theater in Los Angeles and hosted by Snoop Dogg, the VMAs already have one highly anticipated moment of the evening: Taylor Swift receiving the first-ever MTV VMA Artistic Director Honors alongside the premiere of her new music video for "Patient Zero."

With awards like Best New Artist and Video of the Year, there is no shortage of standout nominees across categories: Ariana Grande, Charli XCX, Ella Langley, Kacey Musgraves, Katseye, Madonna, Megan Thee Stallion, Olivia Dean, Olivia Rodrigo, PinkPantheress, Rosalía, Sabrina Carpenter, Zara Larsson… The list goes on.

Of course, at Who What Wear, we always look forward to the red carpet fashion. Unlike more traditional award shows, the VMAs are famous for unconventional, boundary-pushing looks. Below, see the best dressed attendees from the 2026 VMAs red carpet.

WEAR: Saint Laurent outfit

STYLED BY: Chris Horan

WEAR: Tamara Ralph dress

STYLED BY: Joseph Cassell Falconer

WEAR: The Blonds outfit

WEAR: Mowalola outfit

STYLED BY: Ron Hartleben

WEAR: Quine Li coat; The Attico dress

WEAR: Nina Ricci dress

WEAR: Robert Wun dress

WEAR: Georges Hobeika dress

STYLED BY: Eniola Dare

STYLED BY: Marc Forne

WEAR: Zuhair Murad coat-gown

STYLED BY: Wayman + Micah

STYLED BY: Daniela Viviana Romero

WEAR: Claire Pettibone dress

STYLED BY: The Reismans