Ah, the VMAs — that time of year when couples make their red carpet debuts, epic selfies are taken and celebs bring their fashion A-game to the red carpet: er, something like it.
The VMAs, in particular, have brought us some of the most WTF looks of alltime. Don’t believe us? Just take a peek at our roundup below. And after you’re through, don’t forget to watch the awards when they air this Sunday at 9/8C… you never know when a new addition to the list will pop up!
1. Lil’ Kim: With the boob that shook the world, there was no crazy VMA outfit more iconic than that of Lil’ Kim’s, who dared to bare onstage in a purple pasty and not much else, consequently being famously “felt up” by her co-presenter Diana Ross. Hey, if you’ve got it, flaunt it? (Photo via Scott Gries/Getty)
2. Pamela Anderson: As if Pam’s fluffy pink top hat wasn’t confusing enough, she takes things even further with some Mimi-style (The Drew Carey Show, anyone?) bright blue eyeshadow that has us feeling seriously… befuddled. (Photo via Trevor Gillespie/Getty)
3. Rose McGowan: Only Rose McGowan could pull off… this. Though the dress may look simple, it was actually the result of plenty of intricate beading, attaching what little back there was together with the mesh see-through front. While it’s not something we’d necessarily dare to bare down the street, you gotta’ commend Rose for her bravery. Rocking this surely took some confidence! (Photo via Brenda Chase/Getty)
4. Carmen Electra: In a dress that reminds us of a tattoo choker come-to-life, Carmen braved the elements (wind was NOT this look’s friend) to walk the 1997 VMA carpet in style… errrr, something like it. (Photo via Brenda Chase/Getty)
5. Lil’ Kim: Not to be outdone, the Queen Bee struck again in 2000, rocking a bright red (leather?) corset with very strategically placed cutouts that flowed into (what else?) a cape top. (Photo via George DeSota/Liason/Getty)
6. Pink: Remember when Pink wore her hot pink hair as armor? We’d just as as soon forget, but this picture from the 2000 VMAs won’t let us. (Photo via George DeSota/Getty)
7. Macy Gray: Macy Gray showed up to the 2001 VMAs wearing a shower curtain, and not just any shower curtain: a carefully marketed one, which just so happened to announce the debut of her upcoming (at the time) album. Genius or lazy? YOU be the judge. (Photo via George DeSota/Getty)
8. Shakira: The Colombian powerhouse that is Shakira pretty much donned this exact same look through much of the ‘00s, and while we can totally appreciate a signature style, we much prefer her more updated recent looks. (Photo via George DeSota/Getty)
9. Christina Aguilera: In the midst of her “Dirrty: phase, Christina went all out for the VMAs, sporting little more than a denim mini (and we do mean mini!), a twisted halter, skunked-hued extensions and some bright orange eyeshadow, defying anyone to judge her sexuality. Judging by her super polished look as of late, we’re guessing even Xtina might cringe at this one. (Photo via Mark Mainz/Getty)
10. Christina Aguilera: Christina proved she didn’t need to show skin to turn some serious heads just one year later, when she showed up in a hot pink feathered ensemble that had our jaws on the floor. (Photo via Evan Agnostini/Getty)
11. Coco: Perhaps in homage to Rose’s ’98 beaded mesh-front gown, Coco showed up in a similar ensemble (right down to the peekaboo thong) with an added single-shoulder sleeve. (Photo via Evan Agostini/Getty)
12. JLo: There’s not much we can say about this lurex dress and head-wrap combo with mismatched vinyl thigh-high boots except… why? (Photo via Bryan Bedder/Getty)
13. Lady Gaga: And so it begins: Gaga’s reign of weirdness on the VMA red carpet started back in 2012 with this masquerade-style Victorian getup of lace, a fur collar and half-pink tresses. (Photo via Michael Loccisano/Getty)
14. Nicki Minaj: There’s so much happening with Nicki Minaj’s 2011 VMA getup, we don’t even know where to begin. Complete with tights, leggings, a tutu, a spiked metal top, feathered footwear, an ice cream cone necklace, a face mask and cotton-candy hair, this appears to be the result of however many layers Nicki could pile on using a hodgepodge of random articles from her home before it was time to go. (Photo via Christopher Polk/Getty)
15. Nicki Minaj: Like Xtina, Nicki is a repeat offender in the WTF outfit department. This beaded bodysuit with bright red corset lining sees the singer covering up, but it reminds us more of a Halloween costume (anyone else getting spider vibes?) than a red carpet ensemble. Perhaps she herself wasn’t exactly feeling it, because her hair doesn’t really match — girl looks less than pleased. (Photo via Frederick M. Brown/Getty)
16. Miley Cyrus: Tame as this outfit may be by Miley standards, it’s this ensemble that has us scratching our heads — is she here to perform, or bullfight? (Photo via Jamie McCarthy/Getty)
17. Amber Rose: ANOTHER take on Rose’s beads? Six years after her predecessor, Amber rocked her own (heavier?) version with metal chains for beads and coordinating shoes. (Photo via Frazer Harrison/Getty)
18. Miley Cyrus: When MTV gave Miley Cyrus free reign at last year’s VMAs, we’re not sure this space-agey suspender suit that left quite little (*ahem nothing*) to the imagination was exactly what they had in mind. (Photo via Jason Merritt/Getty)
19. Lady Gaga: Lady Gaga: What can we say about the infamous meat dress that hasn’t already been said, except, ewwwww? Oh wait — that might have been covered. (Photo via Frederick M. Brown/Getty)
20. Ananda Lewis: Well this is… bright. The former MTV VJ made sure all eyes were on her at the 2000 VMAs, regardless of how sore they might be after. (Photo via George DeSota/Getty)
(Photo via Jason Merritt/Getty)
