September 08, 2008

VMA Red-Carpet Roundup: From Katy Perry's Pinup Pants To T-Pain's Top Hat

By Jocelyn Vena (MTV.com)

Short, sweet and glittery. That's the best way to sum up the majority of the ladies' looks on the red carpet of the VMAs this year. Though many arrived in muted champagne and blush tones, a few stars did manage to stand out from the crowd, literally.

Before she began her duties as MTV News' red-carpet fashion commentator, Taylor Swift showed up in a blush-colored dress with a bustier-style top and a skirt that flowed out from her, accessorized by gold heels, a funky long necklace and chunky bracelet. Later, she changed into a Blumarine show-stopper: a short, gold-embellished drop-waist dress with black pumps.

Swift's rivals for Best New Artist, Miley Cyrus and Katy Perry, arrived hand-in-hand. Katy embraced her inner pinup in hot pants and a halter she said she acquired at a thrift store. By contrast, Miley was more sophisticated, though still playful, in a sparkly charcoal peacock-printed sheath dress.

Fellow New Artist nominees Tokio Hotel concentrated more on their hair and wild ride than their outfits, but Bill looked lovely in his multiple chain necklaces, leather vest and tight jeans. The rest of the guys just cannot compete with his androgynous beauty! Meanwhile, the Jonas Brothers arrived in their usual hipster suits: Nick in gray Kevin in black and Joe in white.

T-Pain was anything but usual: He arrived on an elephant, and naturally, had to wear a red top hat and a red tuxedo jacket to complete his circus ringmaster chic.

We've always been able to count on Christina Aguilera's fashion statements at the VMAs. The new mama looked ravishing in a long black gown with a mermaid tail hemline. Rihanna, followed up last year's hot pink number with a tight black strapless top and yellow-and-green asymmetrical skirt paired with white platforms and some bangles. It was one of the singer's more sedate red carpet moments. But Pink, like always, stood out from the crowd with a platinum blonde faux-hawk, a black-and-red vertical-stripped gown with a belt and dangling earrings.

Ciara glittered in a sparkly silver mini-dress by Dolce and Gabanna with a giant black belt. Ashlee Simpson and her baby bump were more subdued in long, flowy, black Alexander McQueen gown. And in a mini white dress, Ashley Tisdale was ying to Ashlee's yang.

The Hills girls were alive with the sound of fashion. Lauren Conrad wore a short white and silver dress with a deep v-cut neckline and silver peep toe heels. Frenemie Stephanie Pratt kicked off the night in a black strapless mini dress with loads of bling, showing off her gams in super high red pumps. Lo was in a floral-print gown with sparkle on the straps and around the décolletage. Audrina Patridge rocked a champagne bubble mini-dress in gold. Heidi channeled disco glamour in a sparkly black off-the-shoulder dress, while Spencer wore his signature flash colored beard and a suit.

Jordin Sparks looked fresh and young in a glittery black dress with a pink, while Solange brightened things up in a fuchsia ruffle mini dress with a giant Fendi clutch and platform sandals. Lindsay Lohan kept it simple in a purple stain dress with sleeves.

Paramore's Haley Williams was a mess, probably on purpose. In an aqua dress, the grrrlicious lead singer opted for a bow tie and a bed head look (that's a nice way of saying she forgot to comb her hair).

Jermaine Dupri was dapper in a gray tie, gray vest and gray tweed suit pants with a tuxedo strip down the side. Ne-Yo showed up in a fedora, leather jacket and pants that were very similar to JD's but without the tuxedo stripe. Continuing the tweed trend was Lupe Fiasco, who managed to make the look even geekier by tucking his pants into his motorcycle boots. Chris Brown took a cue from Lupe and tucked his jeans into his high tops. He also wore a diamond broach that he may or may not be borrowed from his grandmother!

Some other notable red-carpet appearances included T.I., who wore a crimson tuxedo jacket with no tie. Mel B looked spicy in a champagne-colored sparkly mini-dress and heels. Tila Tequila mixed things up by wearing a frilly button-down shirt and pants. And of course, Kid Rock classed things up in a wife beater with a fedora.