Olivia Rodrigo to Taylor Swift: The very best dressed girlies on the 2023 VMAs pink carpet

Awards season is back baby. And last night all the biggest names in music stepped out at the Nicki Minaj-hosted 40th MTV VMAs, with performances from Olivia Rodrigo, Shakira, Cardi B, Doja Cat and Megan Thee Stallion. It was, truly, a night for the pop girlies. And the outfits weren’t bad either.

Yup. MTV’s VMAs might be all about the music, but they’re also known for historical fashion moments (Lady Gaga’s meat dress in 2010, anyone?) So, here’s a list of the top ten best dressed girlies on the 2023 VMAs pink carpet, ranked from serve to downright slay:

10. Nicki Minaj

Credit: Anthony Harvey/Shutterstock

This fit planted Nicki on lots of other outlet’s worst dressed list but sorry (!) I like the drama. It’s the Barbification of Dolce & Gabbana and what’s more Nicki than that. The diamante tipped nails? The pink eye shadow? People just hate it because they’d be too scared to wear it. End of. 

9. Taylor Swift

Credit: Anthony Harvey/Shutterstock

Taylor made history last night when she scooped nine VMA awards – the most taken home on the night and the second-highest of all time. And something about this fit tells me she knew she was there to win. Powerful hemline, side split detail, chain necklaces— it’s rock and roll. It’s DONATELLA VERSACE 💜

8. Megan Thee Stallion

Credit: Anthony Harvey/Shutterstock

Most Read

Current record holder for sleeping with most men in a day issues stark warning to Lily Phillips

Here’s why the house in Netflix’s No Good Deed looks so incredibly familiar

These are the Russell Group unis with the cleverest lecturers in 2024, and Oxbridge aren’t top

The sensuality. The confidence. This sheer Brandon Blackwood corset gave full on glam and wow for Megan Thee Stallion. And the matching cuff bracelet and thick choker? It’s giving royal family if they were allowed to slay. Regal.

7. Shakira

Credit: Anthony Harvey/Shutterstock

Another absolute win for Versace was Shakira in this slinky floor-length gold chain mail cut-out gown. Wow, that was a lot of adjectives. Anyway, this is nothing short of a revenge dress. The type of fit you wear moments before you take to the stage to sing all of your biggest pop bops and roast your cheating ex in front of thousands of fans. We love to see it.

6. Olivia Rodrigo

Credit: Anthony Harvey/Shutterstock

I don’t know if it’s just me but I feel like I’ve never seen Olivia Rodrigo out of a pleated mini skirt and converse so when she posed for pics in this floor length Ludovic de Saint Sernin gown I was shook. She knows she’s that girl. And who needs jewellery when the whole dress is sparkling. A big, big, serve. 

5. Emily Ratajkowski

Credit: Anthony Harvey/Shutterstock

Another fit a lot of other people hated but sorry this is actually so smart? It’s basically combined Ashley Tisdale’s infamous ’00s jeans and dress combo, combined it with a Jean Paul Gaultier surrealist pattern, ’90s stilettos, and made it work. Would Em Rata look fit in anything? Yes. Is this still a huge look? Also, yes.

4. Kelsea Ballerini

Credit: Anthony Harvey/Shutterstock

Red dress, gold jewellery, blonde hair is basically a fool proof combo and this ran the risk of being a bit yawn. But the silhouette of the dress is saoooo good. Like, did Chase Stokes come and pull the trail in that position for her? It’s too perfect. The key hole detail? Jennifer Anniston in the ’90s. Love.

3. Nelly Furtado

Credit: Anthony Harvey/Shutterstock

The Furtado. I am convinced this woman has started aging backwards. Long sleeve black Dundas dress with a whopping great cut out? A classic silhouette JLo would be proud of. And the winged eyeliner is fleeking beyond believe. Keep Going Up, queen!

2. Cardi B

Credit: Anthony Harvey/Shutterstock

It’s giving theatre. It’s giving sculpture. It’s giving might leave you with a graze if you get too close. Cardi B never misses and this Dilara Findikoglu hair pin dress is an actual work of art. The type of dramatic fit we need to see at award ceremonies. Lest it all be boring maxi dresses until the end of time. 

1. Selena Gomez

Credit: Anthony Harvey/Shutterstock

Mother was mothering last night. Dripping in fiery Oscar de la Renta foliage. This fit plus the smokey eye? Chefs kiss. No notes. Whatsoever. 

Related stories recommended by this writer:

• Selena Gomez’s side eye should be everyone’s reaction to Chris Brown’s VMA nomination 

• Right, this is why everyone is furious at Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis right now

• Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis’ backlash is a reminder – ‘good friends’ can be rapists too