The Grammys red carpet is not the place for half-ideas, last-minute decisions, or outfits that wear the artist instead of the other way around. This year, a few stars understood the power of intention, craftsmanship, and style, while others completely misunderstood the assignment. Here’s my unapologetically opinionated ranking: Best to worst dressed: Grammy edition.
Fashion Done Right (Best Dressed)
Sabrina Carpenter
Sabrina Carpenter owned the carpet. The dress itself was stunning, but it was the diamonds that elevated the look from beautiful to unforgettable. They weren’t just accessories; they were the statement. The sparkle framed her perfectly, adding luxury and intention without overpowering her. It felt old-Hollywood, confident, and fully realized. Nothing was accidental here.
Olivia Dean
Olivia Dean proved that you don’t need excess to command attention. Her look was effortless, refined, and timeless. The simplicity was the statement. Every line of the outfit felt purposeful, and nothing begged for attention. I’d like to note that this is how you mismatch colors. The black and white represent her as well as her music, which has that jazzy classic vibe. In a sea of overstyled chaos, Olivia stood out by doing less and doing it flawlessly.
Karol G
Karol G’s dress was pure visual poetry. The blues were rich, fluid, and dimensional, and they worked beautifully against her skin and moved like art. This wasn’t just a color choice; it was a mood. The dress felt powerful and feminine, and while some may have called her outfit basic, she commanded attention with her beauty and the grace of her dress. She embraced drama while maintaining elegance, which is exactly what a Grammy look should do.
Unbelievably Mid
Doechii
Doechii’s look was nearly top three. The color was stunning, and she looked so good herself that I wanted to believe that she could rock anything. The vision was there, but the top half completely lost me. It feels like she ran out of purple fabric and panicked, switching to a totally different material at the last minute. Instead of giving innovative “That’s So Raven” fashion-forward energy, it just looked sloppy and disconnected. The bottom half was doing all the work, while the top half dragged the look down.
Addison Rae
I am not a personal fan of Addison Rae, but I can give credit where it’s due. I loved the shape of her dress, and I saw where she was going, but for someone actively trying to rebrand into a more modernized, Britney Spears pop persona, this outfit was shockingly plain. It lacked risk, identity, and intention. If this is the new era, the fashion should reflect that transformation, but this said nothing at all.
Absolutely NOT
Ejae, Rei Ami, and Audrey Nuna (HUNTRIX)
As a group, this was one of the most disappointing moments of the night. It looked like zero planning happened. No cohesion, no shared color story, no unified aesthetic. Essentially, it was just three people walking out together in unrelated outfits. Group appearances demand coordination, and this felt like everyone got dressed in separate rooms with no conversation beforehand.
Chappell Roan
Let me be clear: I love Chappell Roan, and I’m always here for showing skin. That wasn’t the issue. The problem was execution. The dress color and hair color clashed because they were essentially the same, resulting in a flat visual rather than contrast. If the look was going to be that bold up top, it needed jewelry, diamonds, something reflective, and mostmosy importantly, something intentional. The concept was there, but the styling stopped halfway.
Sombr
Every time Sombr steps out, it feels like the clothes are wearing him, not the other way around. His outfits always feel performative, like he’s trying to prove something to the audience, but there’s no payoff. Nothing is interesting enough to justify the effort. Fashion should feel natural, not like a costume built around insecurity. Seeing him walk the red carpet, I was wondering when the next person would step out.
Lola Young
Lola Young is stunning, and her voice is genuinely beautiful, which is exactly why this outfit was such a letdown. It felt too casual, too last-minute, and completely unworthy of the Grammys. This was her moment to wear something that reflected how powerful her talent is. Perhaps something elegant, something intentional. Instead, the look faded into the background.
Final Verdict
The best looks of the night shared one thing in common: intention. Sabrina Carpenter, Olivia Dean, and Karol G understood how fashion can enhance artistry instead of distracting from it. The worst looks failed not because they were daring, but because they were unfinished, uncoordinated, or afraid to fully commit.
