Best And Worst Dressed Men At The VMAs

The MTV Video Music Awards returned to Los Angeles on Sunday, September 27, for the 43rd edition of a show that has spent more than four decades sitting at the intersection of music, pop culture and style. First held in 1984, the VMAs have produced the kind of moments that live far beyond awards night, and 2026 added a few more to the archive. Snoop Dogg hosted the show from the Peacock Theater, Madonna returned to the VMA stage for the first time in 23 years, Nirvana received the Video Vanguard Award and Taylor Swift became the most-awarded artist in VMA history while also taking home Video of the Year for “The Fate of Ophelia.”

There was plenty happening onstage too! Shaboozey and Gunna linked up for “Cowgirl” and “High Noon,” LISA performed “Sawadika,” RAYE took the stage, and the night featured tributes to both Dolly Parton and George Michael. But like basically every major awards show, people weren’t only watching to see who walked away with a Moon Person. What everybody wore while walking into the building was its own event.

The VMAs have always encouraged stars to take bigger fashion swings than they might at a Grammys or Oscars red carpet, and this year was no different. Some of the men went formal, others leaned into leather, Western influences, or oversized silhouettes, while a few looks immediately had people debating whether the idea translated. We aren’t making that call for you, though. Take a look at some of the night’s most talked-about men’s fits below and decide for yourself who belonged on the best and worst dressed sides of the conversation.

Kevin Gates

Kevin Gates went the formal route in a black-and-white tuxedo, giving the carpet one of its more traditional menswear looks. While plenty of artists used the VMAs as an excuse to experiment, Gates kept the focus on classic black-tie styling rather than piling on extra pieces.