The best red carpet looks from MTV’s Video Music Awards 2024

MTV’s Video Music Awards (VMAs) were pushed back a day to avoid clashing with the US presidential debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, so all eyes were on New York’s UBS Arena Wednesday night.

The annual award show has a reputation for outlandish style dating back to 1984, when Madonna wore a wedding dress to perform “Like a Virgin” at the very first VMAs, almost 40 years ago to the day. And several attendees appeared to pay homage to the Queen of Pop on this year’s red carpet.

Addison Rae and Anitta both opted for bold takes on bridalwear, with the latter’s Dolce & Gabbana look completed with a veil and stiletto heels. Artist of the Year nominee Sabrina Carpenter, meanwhile, arrived in a strapless vintage Bob Mackie gown originally worn by Madonna to the 1991 Oscars.

There were several other fashion throwbacks on a nostalgia-heavy night, from Halsey’s archive Versace gown, which was last worn by Elizabeth Hurley in 1996, to GloRilla’s Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes-inspired hairdo. Taylor Swift appeared to channel the iconic yellow plaid look worn by the character Cher Horowitz in ‘90s hit “Clueless,” in an edgier iteration by Dior. Social media users meanwhile joked that Lil Nas X’s bold helmeted outfit was also a reference to another 1990s icon: the Pink Ranger.

This year’s red carpet was, in fact, black — and many stars arrived in suitably dark shades and goth-inspired looks. Suki Waterhouse and Margaret Qualley, in Dolce & Gabbana and Chanel respectively, were among those opting for elegant (and, in their cases, feathery) black gowns. Singer Benson Boone wore a lacy, see-through black top with embellished footwear.

Elsewhere, award host Megan Thee Stallion’s eye-catching take on the little black dress featured a corseted bodice and a skirt that flared out above and below the knee, rather than the waist. Chappell Roan, nominated as Best New Artist, went full goth-glam in a floor-length Y/Project gown with a cross pendant and long nails emerging from fingerless chainmail gloves.

See below for some of the red carpet’s best looks.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com