Artist of the Year nominee, “Fortnight” singer, and world’s most powerful childless cat lady, Taylor Swift, showed up to the VMAs feeling positively psyched. And who can blame her? She’s coming off the best professional year of her life, she’s in love with a handsome man, and she may have changed the course of a presidential election. This is a time to show up in a killer look. She’s been leaning into harder styles a lot lately, but this look is sexy, grown-up, and strong in a way that feels forward-thinking for this megastar.

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After a series of health issues kept her out of the spotlight for a while, Halsey returned to the VMAs to debut a new number in a classic gown. She wore this vintage Versace that Elizabeth Hurley last wore in 1996. We love classic ’90s fashion, but the beading is oddly placed, the print is really loud, and we’re not sure dyeing her hair to match was such a good idea.

The “In Your Hands” singer injected a little old-Hollywood glamour into the event by opting for a classic chanteuse style in this beaded, fringed, lipstick-red strapless gown. The look is polished, the hair is gorgeous, and the color looks great on her. However, the bangs look like a pain in the ass to deal with, and that snazzy cutout almost ruins it. Still, she shines and glows in it, despite our minor quibbles.

The “Wanna Be” singer and multiple nominee served up some legendary ‘90s R&B realness in what appeared to be an homage to Left-Eye Lopes of iconic ‘90s girl group TLC. It’s a fun and sexy ode to R&B history. Is it chic? Not really, but we doubt that was the goal. The bandeau top (to put it mildly) is awful, but the jacket and pants are dope. Love the hair!

Because sometimes all you need at the VMAs is a little string and a smile, if you know how to sell it. Luckily for the “Water” singer and Best New Artist nominee, her fun, sassy dress didn’t look as messy as it could have, thanks in part to the fun, fabulous styling. Her hair looks amazing, and we’re loving the combination of the turquoise necklace and coral sandals. It’s a fun, bold, perfect end-of-summer look—just don’t trip over those bangs.

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The Video Vanguard Award winner apparently swam there after her boat capsized. Or at least that’s the impression her look gave. We’re never one to complain about anyone wearing eccentric or attention-grabbing fashion to the VMAs, but this just looks dull and overdone to us. There’s no sense of humor or wit here, and the soaking wet styling is off-putting.

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In the grand tradition of Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera and Madonna, the “Mil Veces” singer and Best Latin nominee joked that she was trying to make a change in her life, but that dressing like a bride at the VMAs was practically mandatory for pop stars at this point. She eschewed cliché with a minimal veil and a bondage-inspired bodice, giving the look a sense of drama and searing heat.

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We don’t know what it is about this one, but it just didn’t work for us. We’ve always been big fans and supporters of his big gay nonsense, both on and off the red carpet, but something about doing a Pink Power Ranger cosplay at the VMAs just seemed stale or cheesy to us. Save that for Comic Con.

The “ICU” singer looked like a romantic storm cloud in this airy, ethereal dress that was barely there, but the effect was pretty illusory. We’re not the biggest fans of car wash skirts, but there’s something dreamy, cool, and modern about this look that really suits her. She looked stunning.

Sometimes we get annoyed by crazy new designs that make a dress look like it’s falling down or soaking wet, but we’ve never seen a dress that made it look like the wearer escaped a trap. The hostess of the evening sent the message that she had this in her bag, literally. It’s a cute design that’s also a little hot. Probably not the easiest to walk in, but she looks cute.

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The “Good Looking” singer was there to present an award, but it also felt like the new mom was out for the night and treating herself to a little glam. She’s always had a quirky, sexy boho style, and this is more of the same. It feels very much hers, but we have to be honest: the proportions here are awkward. The feather jacket is a cute idea, but it just makes her look like gorilla arms. The cutouts are awkwardly placed. If she’s feeling herself, we’re happy for her, but this look just doesn’t work for us.

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When he showed up at the VMAs to debut his new song, “Nobody Knows,” the singer wore this surprisingly chic and understated D&G suit. He does classic menswear very well, and we’re not going to say this doesn’t look great on him, but like so much of his public style, we find it incredibly boring. He could wear this to his sleep.

The “Greedy” singer and Best Pop nominee practically redefined the barely-there dress in this floppy/sexy Cavalli number. There’s not much to criticize or judge about a look like this. It either works or it doesn’t, and in this case, it works like crazy. She looks smoking hot.

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The “Nasty” singer was snubbed for a nomination this year, and we can’t help but wonder if that’s why she went all out on the red carpet. Rick Owens isn’t easy to show in a setting like this, and if we’re being honest, we’re not really into the design, but she looks insanely sexy and it gives a Furious I think we can’t help but love a little.