While the Grammys are known as ‘Music’s Biggest Night’ across the world, in a similar vein to The Oscars, the red carpet fashion is just as (if not more) important than the actual awards. These days everyone seems to want to know who is wearing what and what was designed by who, especially in a post-pandemic world where the notion of couture is constantly evolving. The 64th annual show was held in the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas and, in many ways, it’s clear to see how the location inspired the outfits. Prepare for everything from garish sequins to extravagant silhouettes, as this article takes you through the best and worst dressed at the 2022 Grammys.
The Best Dressed
Doja Cat
Dolled up in a dreamy baby blue Versace gown, Doja Cat looked absolutely divalicious. According to Vanity Fair, the dress was inspired by a similar sheer, rhinestoned one worn by Marilyn Monroe in 1962 when she sang ‘Happy Birthday’ to then-President John F. Kennedy. I think the off-the-shoulder straps that dive into the plunging sweetheart neckline of the bustier managed to pull off sexy in an elegant way.
While the JBL clutch was not my favourite, I think its kitschiness showed off a glimpse of Doja’s personality and was dialled down by the simple matching silver jewellery she wore. Apparently, the ‘Versace team spent 300 hours constructing the gown and an additional 175 hours to hand-embroider the details’, which in my opinion paid off extremely well given that she was definitely in the top 5 of best looks for the night.
Lil Nas X
Men usually get away with wearing a plain, boring black suit to these sorts of events, but Lil Nas X always seems to step up the game in one way or another. What I love about this outfit is that he has stayed somewhat true to his brand by wearing the same structured, broad-shoulder jacket with flared trousers that he usually does. However, he has also transformed that typically masculine, armour-looking shape into something much lighter and feminine through covering the matching set completely in white pearls and having what looks like a painting of butterfly on the chest centerpiece.
I particularly love how the make-up matches this, too, with a pop of blue eyeshadow in the inner corners of his eyes. Described as both ‘baroque’ and ‘angelic’, this quilted number from Balmain had everyone’s heads turning.
Rachel Zegler
When you think of any big red carpet, the colour grey is not something that immediately comes to mind. Grey is stereotypically seen as quite dull and is always a risky one because it can easily wash one’s skin tone out. Nevertheless, Rachel Zegler managed to make grey look absolutely beautiful in a billowing tulle gown custom created by Dior. My favourite thing about this dress is the bodice, which reminds me of a fairytale princess story like Rapunzel with its girly braided bows at the top and bottom, as well as its delicate sheer fabric that fits Zegler like a glove.
Vogue particularly noted the ‘ultra-chic flipped bob’ created by hairstylist David von Cannon and I think the sleekness of Zegler’s hair paired with the bold make-up contrast nicely with the fragility of the ensemble. The only thing I would change about this look is the necklace, which appears to be a little too chunky in comparison to everything else – a more slender chain with a small pendant would perhaps be more appropriate. Aside from that, this look is ethereal.
BTS
It is much more difficult to dress a band or group of artists on a red carpet than just one. A balance has to be struck between a cohesiveness between all the members whilst also showing off glimpses of individuality. BTS managed to do exactly that in a set of tailored suits from Louis Vuitton drawn from ‘late designer Virgil Abloh’s last’ collection’. Despite the ample sunshine in Las Vegas, the colour palette worn by the boys was distinctly autumnal with warm chocolate browns and misty blues. Yet these muted tones were broken up by a variety of glittering crystal brooches and a unique multicoloured flower ensemble donned by V.
My favourite thing about this look was the immaculate draping of the pleated trousers that hovered perfectly over the shoes. My least favourite thing was the fact that Jungkook did not have lapels on his jacket like the others. While it was a nice flair for him, it detracted from the uniformity of the band.
St Vincent
St. Vincent has been audaciously storming through the music scene with her ‘album-length tribute to ’70s rock’n’roll’ (indeed, Daddy’s Home won this year’s Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Album), and the same can be said of her daring fashion looks. Annie Clark did not fail to wow us all in this gorgeous hot pink number from Gucci’s Love Parade Collection. Reminiscent of an Old Hollywood Glamour dressing gown, the sheer sequined fabric and keyhole cutout impart a sleeky sultriness whilst the exaggerated ruffle sleevs and matching hemline provide the drama.
For me, this was the winning look of the night. Clark looked classy, elegant and sophisticated but simultaneously brought us a wild, campy extravagance unmatched by anyone else.
The Worst Dressed
H.E.R.
This outfit had potential, but it just completely missed the mark. What was supposed to be a floating sunset-orange dream ended up as a tacky show choir costume. Whilst I loved the colour palette, the material did not do it any justice, coming up too sheer and making the whole thing look cheap. This was not helped by the array of tacky sequins that were clumped together around the bodice and then slowly feathered out elsewhere.
The flared jumpsuit was very on-brand for H.E.R., as well as the matching sunglasses, but it came across as quite dated instead of something fresh and fashionable.
Justin and Hailey Bieber
If I had to describe these looks in one word, it would be boring. Oversized, baggy clothing is trending right now, but Justin’s suit was so ill-fitting that it looked as though he picked it up from a Goodwill rack rather than Balenciaga, and Hailey’s Saint Laurent dress had no shape to it whatsoever, leaving it reminiscent of a bedsheet and also sparking false pregnancy rumours. The accessories were not awful – surprisingly, I quite enjoyed Justin’s huge HardCrocs and Hailey was radiant as always with her classic, dewy look.
While there was nothing inherently wrong with what the pair are wearing, it just did not seem to be enough for the Grammys red carpet. In fact, the pair look as if they were about to get hitched for a second time but at the One Love Wedding Chapel down the road.
Megan Thee Stallion
To be candid, this look pained me. Megan Thee Stallion is known for usually pulling out all the stops when it comes to the red carpet – take a look at the opulence she displayed during the most recent Oscars for evidence of this – but this dress by Roberto Cavalli just completely fell short.
Undeniably, the ‘queen of the jungle’ vision was there, but was it too much? With a two-toned animal print on the outside and inner lining of the gown and a gaudy gold-encrusted one-should strap, I would have to lean towards yes. However, she did stay true to her ‘Hot Girl’ brand with glossy, pin-straight locks and a perfectly beat face.
Dillon Francis
A faded blue T-shirt, skinny black jeans, checkered beat-up Vans and a Walgreens bag of Little Bites cupcakes. It is no wonder Dillon Francis had to have his ticket on show at all times given that he looked like a ‘tourist who got lost from the Vegas casinos’ rather than an award-winning DJ and Producer.
Following a Tweet from Francis himself, it was later discovered that he had been invited to the Grammys extremely last-minute by his friend and co-worker Diplo while returning from a trip to Walgreens. Apparently, Francis had no time to change into something more decent and also did not believe he would be walking the red carpet. Let’s just say that the story definitely checks out based on this look.
Tayla Parx
Do I really need to say anything? Twitter had a lot to say, not holding back with comparisons to Yoshi from Nintendo’s Super Mario Bros and Reptar from the Rugrats franchise. Tayla Parx did not seem to know what she was drawing inspiration from either, paying homage to both a cactus in her Instagram post and Bowser in a Tweet. Either way, the outfit was a complete flop, as it looked more like a mascot costume a high schooler would wear to a sports game than something appropriate for the red carpet.
Perhaps the only saving grace was Parx’s makeup, which served Euphoria with sparkling gems on top of a smoky eye.
