MTV’s Video Music Awards, or VMAs, red carpet hasn’t been the same since its heyday in the 2000s. Sure, celebrities wore low-rise denim and dresses on top of jeans, but perhaps their commitment to the bit was stronger. Fast-forward to 2022, the VMAs had one of the least exciting red carpets of the awards season. From Latto’s neon Fashion-Nova-esque ensemble to Yung Gravy and Addison Rae’s mom stealing the spotlight, messy was the theme of the night — but thankfully, outfits from stars such as Olivia O’Brien and Bob the Drag Queen saved the show. Here are The Daily Californian’s picks for best dressed at the 2022 VMAs. 

Ashley Graham

Styled by celebrity stylist Maeve Reilly — who is known for dressing Megan Fox and Hailey Bieber — Graham wore a black ruched high-neck dress with cutouts adorned with bedazzled safety pins from Houghton NYC. It could be argued Graham’s look was too simple for something as over-the-top as the VMAs. Yet, the model’s sleek look encapsulated the micro and macrotrends that have gripped fashion in the past few years. The dress was styled with a smoky eye reminiscent of Julia Fox’s signature look, diamond waterfall earrings and sparkly strappy heels. The minimalist dress with attention to detail looked incredible on the model and was a better call than bolstering a more audacious fit.

Offset

The rapper wore an all-white ensemble designed by the late Virgil Abloh for Off White, paired alongside a well-tailored (but in need of a steam) tuxedo jacket and trousers. The Migos member’s green sneakers and an icy brooch added a little spice to the otherwise bare look. Abloh transformed streetwear, menswear and Louis Vuitton, so it was no surprise that this look graced the carpet. There is nothing to fashion without the community that supports it, and to see multiple of Abloh’s peers and friends continue to wear his designs this awards season is enough to earn a best-dressed pick. 

Bob the Drag Queen

Bob the Drag Queen’s look could have easily been plucked from Thom Browne’s Autumn Winter 2022 show. The Season Eight winner of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” wore a plaid vest detailed with gold pins and chains, in addition to a custom white skirt made of white button-downs sewn together. It was later revealed that the queen did not know he would attend the carpet until the night before, but the last-minute look still stole the show, illustrating his creative personality with a chic twist.

Dixie D’Amelio

D’Amelio stunned in her high-neck black dress, paired with a winged eye look and no jewelry. The TikToker was dressed by Mimi Cuttrell, who dresses stars such as Ariana Grande and Maude Apatow. The dress is from Alexandre Vauthier Couture, a French couture house. How cool is it to witness high fashion trickle down to 20-something TikTokers? High fashion was once wrongfully reserved to a niche group, and in recent years, the high entryway to fashion has been declining. D’Amelio’s look pointed to a theme consistent with the best looks of the night: intentional neutrals. Celebrities are known for going over the top when it comes to red carpet looks, and almost inevitably, the attention grab ends in a poorly done outfit that steals from the celebrity’s shine. It’s refreshing to see how much personality stars such as D’Amelio and Graham can still garner in a seemingly boring black gown. 

Olivia O’Brien

The singer wore a silk lamé gown from Tab Vintage, a brand that collects archival vintage and often lends to celebrities. The dress featured ruffles around the bodice, as well as a purple-and-gold print that gave off an iridescent sheen from the red carpet’s lights. O’Brien styled the dress with a high ’90s up-do, hoop earrings, purple platform heels and a large statement necklace from Swarovski. With the secondhand market steadily gaining popularity in fashion, it’s a joy to see celebrities choose to rewear vintage. Not only did O’Brien and her stylist flaunt their creativity with a successfully unique look on the carpet, but the singer’s Tab Vintage gown reinforced sustainable, slow fashion.