Dudes, it’s been 30 years since our first Video Music Awards and a lot of sartorial moments have gone down on the red carpet, onstage and everywhere in between. By now, we’ve basically seen it all, but here are 19 VMAs outfits that, for better or worse, can’t seem to escape our memory—whether we want them to or not.
LADY GAGA’S MEAT DRESS
Getty Images
THE YEAR: 2010
THE THING WE’LL NEVER FORGET: Her filet beret. Oh, and that it was a dress made of meat.
MADONNA’S WEDDING GOWN
Getty Images
THE YEAR: 1984
THE THING WE’LL NEVER FORGET: For starters, she sang “Like A Virgin” in a wedding dress on top of a cake wearing a belt that said “Boy Toy.”
LIL KIM’S NIPPLE PASTIE
Getty Images
THE YEAR: 1999
THE THING WE’LL NEVER FORGET: How well that sequin seashell stayed put. (Shout out to Diana Ross for testing the adhesive.)
CHRISTINA AGUILERA’S BELLY-BARING ENSEMBLE
Getty Images
THE YEAR: 2002
THE THING WE’LL NEVER FORGET: That she managed to create an entire ensemb’ around her six-pack.
GWEN STEFANI’S SPACE-AGE OUTFIT
Getty Images
THE YEAR: 1998
THE THING WE’LL NEVER FORGET: The blue buns. No wait, the bindis. No wait, the furry bra. IDK, the whole thing is outta this world, y’all.
MILEY CYRUS’ MOUSE ONESIE
Getty Images
THE YEAR: 2013
THE THING WE’LL NEVER FORGET: The latex nude two-piece that lied beneath.
NICKI MINAJ’S HARAJUKU RAVER ENSEMBLE
Getty Images
THE YEAR: 2011
THE THING WE’LL NEVER FORGET: How it suddenly made our personal accessory collection feel very inferior.
ROSE MCGOWAN’S BARELY-THERE DRESS
Getty Images
THE YEAR: 1998
THE THING WE’LL NEVER FORGET: How we saw Rose McGowan 99% naked at the VMAs.
BRITNEY SPEARS’ SNAKE ACCESSORY
Getty Images
THE YEAR: 2001
THE THING WE’LL NEVER FORGET: How she wore an actual boa as a boa during her “I’m A Slave 4 U” performance. (OK, fine, it was a python but just LET US LIVE.)
PRINCE’S ASSLESS PANTS
Getty Images
THE YEAR: 1991
THE THING WE’LL NEVER FORGET: When he turned around to reveal his bare butt on live TV, and it didn’t even jiggle. #bunsofsteel
MADONNA’S MARIE ANTOINETTE HOMAGE
Getty Images
THE YEAR: 1990
THE THING WE’LL NEVER FORGET: How Madonna flashed us, got her boobs grabbed, and let a dude peek under her skirt all while wearing an 18th Century gown.
DENNIS RODMAN’S SPARKLY SPAGHETTI TANK
Getty Images
THE YEAR: 1995
THE THING WE’LL NEVER FORGET: How Dennis looked better in a crop top than us.
HOWARD STERN AS FARTMAN
Getty Images
THE YEAR: 1992
THE THING WE’LL NEVER FORGET: That his bare butt cheeks were outlined in gold piping. And that lots and lots of farts came out of there.
LADY GAGA’S BLOODY LEOTARD
Getty Images
THE YEAR: 2010
THE THING WE’LL NEVER FORGET: How she started bleeding profusely all over her white lace and rhinestone leotard, and we’re still not sure how it happened.
BRITNEY SPEARS’ NUDE BODYSUIT
Getty Images
THE YEAR: 2000
THE THING WE’LL NEVER FORGET: When we momentarily thought she was totally naked onstage. (Let’s just say the two seconds after she ripped off her bedazzled black suit were the longest two seconds of our lives.)
MACY GRAY’S SELF-PROMOTIONAL GOWN
Getty Images
THE YEAR: 2001
THE THING WE’LL NEVER FORGET: When she turned around, and it said “BUY IT!” on the butt.
CHRISTINA AGUILERA’S FEATHER FROCK
Getty Images
THE YEAR: 2003
THE THING WE’LL NEVER FORGET: How pink feathers attacked Xtina. 🙁
LADY GAGA AS JO CALDERONE
Getty Images
THE YEAR: 2011
THE THING WE’LL NEVER FORGET: When Lady Gaga opened the 2011 VMAs as her alter-ego Jo Calderone in a loose-fitting suit and dirty white tee—and didn’t break character once throughout the entire show.
BEYONCE’S SEQUIN JACKET
Getty Images
THE YEAR: 2011
THE THING WE’LL NEVER FORGET: The amazing BB bump reveal under that sparkly purple tuxedo jacket and high-waisted trousers.
It’s up to you to decide the winners of the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards! Vote now and tune in Sunday, August 24, at 9/8c ET to see who wins at the Forum in Inglewood, California. Plus, get the latest updates from all your favorite VMA artists on the MTV Artists App.
No Comments