Sweet Sixteen: All of Taylor Swift’s MTV VMAs Red Carpet Outfits Through the Years

Maggie Clancy

September 12, 2024 at 4:42 AM·4 min read

Since her debut at the MTV Video Music Awards in 2008, Taylor Swift has become a staple of the awards show. She’s earned a staggering 60 nominations, ultimately taking home 23 Moon Men over the years — just two short of Beyoncé, who currently has the most VMAs with 25 wins. Her red carpet appearances have evolved alongside her musical stylings, starting with a youthful knee-length dress in 2008, and progressing to bolder, avant-garde looks by the likes of Versace.

“At her core, Taylor Swift is a storyteller and she uses both her lyrics and her outfits to communicate, to craft a narrative, to evoke memories and to 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 have included teasers or Easter eggs for fans on upcoming music.

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“The Tortured Poets Department” singer is heading to this year’s awards with 12 nominations, including eight for her “Fortnight” video and 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.

2008 VMAs

In 2008, during her first MTV VMA appearance, Swift wore an off-white minidress from Kaufmanfranco that subtly picked up the red carpet’s hue, reflecting a delicate blush tone on the pleated skirt. She paired the dress with shiny, silver heeled sandals.

2009 VMAs

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

The 2009 MTV VMAs are remembered for Kanye West’s interruption during Taylor Swift’s acceptance speech for Best Female Video. Swift was wearing this one-shoulder gown from Kaufmanfranco’s 2009 resort line, featuring waves of beads cascading down the full-length dress during the infamous moment as well. She completed the look with Lorraine Schwartz earrings.

2012 VMAs

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

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

2013 VMAs

aylor Swift (Detail: Herve Leger dress) 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 VMA style over the years.

Swift continued to channel vintage Femme Fatale vibes with her 2013 VMAs look, a form-fitting black crystalized gown featuring a plunging neckline by Herve Leger, complementing the vintage-inspired, dramatic aesthetics of her “Red” era.

2014 VMAs

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

Taylor Swift’s blue alphabet-printed romper by Mary Katrantzou at the 2014 VMAs captured the bold, pop-centric essence of her Jack Antonoff-produced “1989” album. The powder blue romper featured long sleeves, a high-cut style and was paired with maroon peep-toe booties. As Sarah Chapelle noted, “The ‘1989’ transformation was a fun period of time to be tracking her clothing as she took to the streets of New York in coordinating two-pieces and teetering tall heels.”

2015 VMAs

Taylor Swift went for an elevated athleisure look in 2015 with a houndstooth two-piece by Ashish, featuring a cropped top and jogger-style pants in hues of silver, gold and bronze. She paired the sequined-look with Christian Louboutin Pumpstagram heels.

2019 VMAs

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

In the midst of her “Lover” era, Swift opted for a colorful ensemble courtesy of Versace. The bright, patterned blazer featured neon belts and safety pins, the latter of which her fan base interpreted 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.

2022 VMAs

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

At the 2022 MTV Video Music Awards, Swift shone in a crystal-embellished Oscar de la Renta dress from the brand’s resort 2023 collection. The halter-neck silhouette featured cascading crystals that created a cutout in the bodice. She once again paired the look with Lorraine Schwartz jewelry and Louboutin silver sandals adorned with charms.

2023 VMAs

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

Following the release of “Midnights” and the first leg of her Eras tour, Swift wore a custom black Versace dress. The gown featured an asymmetrical neckline with button detailing cascading along the skirt, left unfastened to reveal a thigh-high slit. She completed the look with strappy heels from Jimmy Choo at the 2023 VMAs.