October 14, 2024

All of Taylor Swift’s MTV VMAs red carpet outfits over the years

Since her debut at the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards, Taylor Swift has become a staple at the awards show, garnering an incredible 60 nominations and ultimately taking home 23 Moon Men over the years – just two fewer than Beyoncé, who currently has the most VMAs with 25 wins. Her red carpet appearances have evolved alongside her musical style, starting with a youthful knee-length dress in 2008 and moving on to more daring, avant-garde looks from brands like Versace.

“At her core, Taylor Swift is a storyteller and she uses both her lyrics and her outfits to communicate, craft a narrative, evoke memories and create iconography,” Sarah Chapelle, author of “Taylor Swift Style: Fashion Through the Eras,” previously told WWD. The storytelling is evident in Swift’s VMA outfits from years past, some of which included teasers or Easter eggs for fans to upcoming music.

More from WWD

The singer of “The Tortured Poets Department” goes into this year’s awards ceremony with 12 nominations, including eight for her “Fortnight” video and as Artist of the Year.

Here, WWD takes a look at Taylor Swift’s style evolution on the MTV VMAs red carpet over the past 16 years.

VMAs 2008

Taylor Swift arrives at the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards at Paramount Pictures Studios on September 7, 2008 wearing a Kaufmanfranco dress. VMA style.Taylor Swift arrives at the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards at Paramount Pictures Studios on September 7, 2008 wearing a Kaufmanfranco dress. VMA style.

Taylor Swift arrives at the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards at Paramount Pictures Studios on September 7, 2008 wearing a Kaufmanfranco dress. VMA style.

For her first appearance at the 2008 MTV VMAs, Swift wore a cream mini dress by Kaufmanfranco that subtly echoed the color of the red carpet, reflecting a delicate blush hue on the pleated skirt. She paired the dress with shiny silver-heeled sandals.

VMAs 2009

Taylor Swift arrives at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on September 13, 2009. In VMA styleTaylor Swift arrives at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on September 13, 2009. In VMA style

Taylor Swift arrives at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on September 13, 2009. In VMA style

The 2009 MTV VMAs are remembered for Kanye West’s interruption of Taylor Swift’s acceptance speech for Best Female Video. Swift wore this one-shoulder dress from Kaufmanfranco’s 2009 Resort line, which also featured waves of pearls cascading down the floor-length gown during that infamous moment. She accessorized the look with Lorraine Schwartz earrings.

VMAs 2012

Taylor Swift arrives at the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards at the Staples Center on September 6, 2012 wearing a white suit. Taylor Swift's VMA style.Taylor Swift arrives at the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards at the Staples Center on September 6, 2012 wearing a white suit. Taylor Swift's VMA style.

Taylor Swift arrives at the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards at the Staples Center on September 6, 2012 wearing a white suit. Taylor Swift’s VMA style.

After the incident with West in 2009, Swift took a break from the VMAs for a few years. When she returned three years later, she did so with a completely different style, wearing a structured, all-white J. Mendel suit from the Spring 2012 collection. She completed the look with gold strappy sandals and her signature red lips.

VMAs 2013

Aylor Swift (detail: dress by Herve Leger) attends the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards at the Barclays Center on August 25, 2013 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. Taylor Swift's VMA style through the years.Aylor Swift (detail: dress by Herve Leger) attends the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards at the Barclays Center on August 25, 2013 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. Taylor Swift's VMA style through the years.

Aylor Swift (detail: dress by Herve Leger) attends the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards at the Barclays Center on August 25, 2013 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. Taylor Swift’s VMA style through the years.

Swift continued to exude vintage femme fatale vibes with her 2013 VMAs look: a figure-hugging black dress with crystals and a plunging neckline by Herve Leger that perfectly complemented the vintage-inspired, dramatic aesthetic of her “Red” era.

VMAs 2014

Taylor Swift attends the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum on August 24, 2014 in Inglewood, California. Blue one-piece, Taylor Swift style, VMAs. Taylor Swift attends the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum on August 24, 2014 in Inglewood, California. Blue one-piece, Taylor Swift style, VMAs.

Taylor Swift attends the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum on August 24, 2014 in Inglewood, California. Blue one-piece, Taylor Swift style, VMAs.

Taylor Swift’s blue alphabet-printed romper by Mary Katrantzou at the 2014 VMAs reflected the bold, pop-centric essence of her Jack Antonoff-produced album ‘1989.’ The powder blue romper featured long sleeves, a high cut, and was paired with maroon peep-toe ankle boots. As Sarah Chapelle noted, “The ‘1989’ transformation was a fun time to follow her wardrobe as she walked the streets of New York in coordinated two-pieces and wobbly high heels.”

VMAs 2015

Taylor Swift opted for an elevated athleisure look in 2015 with a houndstooth two-piece by Ashish, consisting of a crop top and sweatpants in silver, gold and bronze tones. She paired the sequined look with Pumpstagram heels by Christian Louboutin.

VMAs 2019

Taylor Swift attends the 2019 MTV Video Music Awards at the Prudential Center on August 26, 2019 in Newark, New Jersey. Versace, Taylor Swift Lover, in VMA style.Taylor Swift attends the 2019 MTV Video Music Awards at the Prudential Center on August 26, 2019 in Newark, New Jersey. Versace, Taylor Swift Lover, in VMA style.

Taylor Swift attends the 2019 MTV Video Music Awards at the Prudential Center on August 26, 2019 in Newark, New Jersey. Versace, Taylor Swift Lover, in VMA style.

In the midst of her “Lover” era, Swift opted for a colorful ensemble by Versace. The bright, patterned blazer featured neon belts and safety pins, with her fans interpreting the latter as a symbol of protest against the Trump administration. During her performance of “You Need to Calm Down,” Swift added a matching indigo Versace blazer and gold Louboutin boots.

VMAs 2022

Taylor Swift attends the 2022 MTV VMAs at the Prudential Center on August 28, 2022 in Newark, New Jersey. Taylor Swift in VMA style Oscar de La Renta crystal dress.Taylor Swift attends the 2022 MTV VMAs at the Prudential Center on August 28, 2022 in Newark, New Jersey. Taylor Swift in VMA style Oscar de La Renta crystal dress.

Taylor Swift attends the 2022 MTV VMAs at the Prudential Center on August 28, 2022 in Newark, New Jersey. Taylor Swift in VMA style Oscar de La Renta crystal dress.

At the 2022 MTV Video Music Awards, Swift dazzled in a crystal-embellished Oscar de la Renta gown from the brand’s Resort 2023 collection. The halterneck silhouette featured dangling crystals that created a cutout in the bodice. She again paired the look with Lorraine Schwartz jewelry and silver Louboutin sandals embellished with charms.

VMAs 2023

Taylor Swift attends the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at the Prudential Center on September 12, 2023 in Newark, New Jersey. VMA style, Swift, black dress by VersaceTaylor Swift attends the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at the Prudential Center on September 12, 2023 in Newark, New Jersey. VMA style, Swift, black dress by Versace

Taylor Swift attends the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at the Prudential Center on September 12, 2023 in Newark, New Jersey. VMA style, Swift, black dress by Versace

Following the release of “Midnights” and the first leg of her Eras tour, Swift wore a custom black Versace dress. The dress featured an asymmetrical neckline with button details that extended down the skirt and were left open to reveal a thigh-high slit. She completed the look with strappy Jimmy Choo heels at the 2023 VMAs.

Come back to see her look of 2024. The 2024 MTV VMAs will feature performances by artists such as Anitta, Camila Cabello, Eminem, Halsey and Lenny Kravitz. The awards show, which will be broadcast live from New York, begins at 8 p.m. ET.

Photos and live updates from the 2024 MTV VMAs red carpet arrivals

View gallery

Launch Gallery: Photos and live updates from the 2024 MTV VMAs red carpet arrivals

The best of WWD

Subscribe to the WWD newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *