Red Carpet Review: 5 Best Looks From the 2015 VMAs

So a lot happened at last night's MTV Video Music Awards. "Uptown Funk" won big, naturally. Nicki Minaj both settled a highly-reported feud with Taylor Swift and started one with host Miley Cyrus the same night (#ambitious). Justin Beiber sported a undeniably awful new hairstyle. And perhaps the biggest wild card was Kanye West's maybe-joking presidential announcement for 2020. But on the fashion front? A mixture for sleek and risky. And while you may have scrolled through a plethora of Instagrams of Miley Cyrus's barely-there Versace number -- and most likely hated it-- do not fear, dear reader: there were several looks worth swooning over. Read on for the best of this year's salacious red carpet.



FKA Twigs in Atelier Versace: At last night's awards show, the future Mrs. Robert Pattinson was anything but a fashion wallflower. The need to bare it all was the trend of the evening -- Britney Spears, Rita Ora and Miley Cyrus fell victim to an array of overkilled cut-outs -- but this look works on the song siren. There's no denying that the pint-sized It Girl is scantily-clad; however, the look is surprisingly modest compared to similiar looks. Her full-coverage bralet provides minimal cleavage and the corset lining (as well as the sheer draping) don't boast a set of toned abs. Sure, the skirt of her dress is sheer, but she also sports a pair of panties that look like it's half of a demure bikini. Consider this look understated sexy; a sultry for the fashion set who are neither familiar nor comfortable with showing off that much skin. When it came to accessories, Twigs's strappy sandals mimic the bold lines of her corset and the little jewelry keeps this dress looking convetable instead of a showgirl's costume. As for a dramatic finishing touch, the bright red lip and bed-head fit in with this look perfectly.

Chrissy Teigen in Marchesa: Sartorially speaking, dancing on the line between sexy and slutty is not easy. But in this show-stopping Marchesa, Lip Sync Battle co-host Chrissy Teigen makes it look easy. While the sheer paneling by her legs is undeniably naughty, the high-neckline gives this dress a sophisticated twist. Though the sparkly paneling may look a tad "Vegas" to some, it also adds a red-carpet ready factor that prevents this from looking too much like lingerie. To create a cohesive look, Teigen adds dainty, yet equally glitzy, drop earrings to the equation. Love. Not to mention her messy updo and natural face are the perfect juxtapostion for such vampy attire.

Vanessa Hudgens in Naeem Khan: If you listen closely, you can still hear all Free People fans rejoice over this outfit. Even with a resurgence of bohemia on the runway, it's rare to see a red carpet look that is unapologetically ethereal. Conversely, all you see is a delicately embroidered maxi dress with a strappy sandal. That's it. But luckily, Hudgens brought something so abnormal to the red carpet and reminded the audience that dressing up for flashy events should be fun. Instead of sticking with a minimalist dress in a neutral hue, like most of her cohorts, the actress pushes the envelope with this dimensional number that was both feminine and innovative. As for extras, Hudgens did not skimp on jewelry. According to Refinery29, the starlet incorporated over 28 pieces: hair gems, bracelets, earrings, necklaces, oh my!  Now that's maximalism.

Hailee Steinfeld in Stella McCartney: This awards show red carpet is obsessed with the unexpected: Gaga's meat dress, Lil' Kim's pasty-clad asymmetrical jumpsuit and even Katy Perry's denim dress, just to name a few. But perhaps the most daring, and ultimately the most unexpected, for this event is when a starlet doesn't push the style envelope with a flashy, raunchy or even costumey outfit. Instead, she wears something so refined, minimalist and chic. Hailee Steinfeld, fashion nerds everywhere tip their hats to you. At an event of this calibre, a jumpsuit with caplet sleeves and ultra-flared legs may stick out like a sore thumb, but the Pitch Perfect 2 prevents a mumsy moment with an edgy choker and gilded circle clutch. Plus, this unexpectedly refreshing silhouette immediately gives the look cool-girl kudos. Paired with a straight do and a Taylor Swift squad-approved cat-eye, Steinfeld's ensemble teaches onlookers that leaving a lot to the imagination can be a good thing.

Lily Aldridge in Alexandre Vauthier: Yes, sultry black dresses ran rampant on last night's carpet. And while most of them boasted sheer elements and glitzy paneling, model Lily Aldridge's minimalist approach to the trend was a sartorial breath of fresh air. A far cry from the black dresses of the over-embellished variety,  this look stands out for it's suggestive (but stylish) cut-outs and effortless simplicity. With the help of possibly yards of double-stick tape, the cut-outs perfectly lay on Alridge's runway-worthy frame without being over-exposed. Before you think it, you're right: a deep V-neck and oblique-baring slits will never translate to demure. However, the long, streamlined silhouette and the languid fishtail hemline dresses up this sultry fad. The perfectly sleek ensemble is coupled with a straight mane and wrists adorned with slim bracelets for the ultimate finishing touches.

 

Which looks did you love from last night's VMAs? Sound off below

Photos courtesy of PopSugar and Us Magazine

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