Top 10 Hated Red Carpet Looks We Actually Loved

Sam Smiths Latex Look

On first glance, this inflatable latex ensemble Sam Smith wore to the 2023 Brit Awards is a bit shocking. The exaggerated silhouette produced by their shoulder pads and blow-up pants looks like something out of a Picasso painting. While some called this look attention-seeking and humiliating, it seems their critics are missing the point. Like their music, the purpose of Smith choosing an outfit like this is to evoke a reaction in people. Music and out-there, outrageous fashion go hand in hand - just look at Lady Gaga. This outfit was designed to seek out peoples attention and reactions, but that isnt necessarily a bad thing.

Lizzy Gardiners AmEx Gown

This Australian costume designer is known for her creativity and ability to think outside the box. There was no reason to expect a typically straightlaced event like the Oscars would be able to reign her in. Nominated for Best Costume Design for The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, Gardiner arrived in a floor-length gown made out of 254 expired American Express Gold cards. While some thought the dress tacky and inappropriate for the event, it was intended as a statement on wealth and the prestige and power associated with the elite credit card. History seems to be on Gardiners side, as a replica of her dress was recently sold for over $12,000 at auction.

Victoria & David Beckham in Leather

This celebrity couple is made up of two individuals known for being stylish in their own right, but over the years theyve come out with some seriously iconic coordinating ensembles. Most infamous, perhaps for the wrong reasons, is the matching Gucci leather look they wore to a Versace event in 1999. Both David and Victoria have expressed some regret about this look, Victoria even going so far as to say it haunts her. Maybe its because theyre two of the most beautiful people on earth, but they really dont look that bad. In fact, they look pretty cool, like something out of a Matrix movie. Victoria, youre being too hard on yourself.

Pinks Ultimate Y2K Outfit

It was the year 2000, and Pink wanted everyone at the VMAs to know that the subdued styles of the 90s were officially out. She rocked up in the lowest rise jeans youve ever seen, a metallic halter crop top, and a floor length, shiny gold afghan coat. The outfit was complemented by pink spikey hair that looks literally out of this world. Outrageous, yes, but also a perfect time capsule of the freedom and optimism felt at the beginning of the new millennium. There was only a short window of time in which an outfit like this could work, and Pink knew exactly when that time was.

Celine Dions Backwards Pantsuit

Red carpets werent as progressive in 1999 as they are today, and the Oscars especially so. When Celine Dion arrived in this stunning all-white John Galliano ensemble, she was practically the only woman wearing pants at the entire event. The attention-grabbing look was made even more interesting by her backwards tuxedo jacket, which gave the otherwise conservative outfit a sexy open-back detail. While it was criticised heavily at the time, Dions choice to break tradition and wear pants to the Oscars paved the way for others to push gender boundaries on the red carpet.

Britney Spears & Justin Timberlakes Canadian Tuxedos

You cant think of Britney and Justin without thinking of this iconic denim-on-denim-on-denim look. The couple arrived at the 2001 American Music Awards in head-to-toe denim, an idea that was originally suggested by Spears as a joke. She was surprised when her stylist went along with it, and the whole team had fun putting together this outside-the-box look. The casual fabric was balanced out with plenty of bling, making a truly red carpet worthy outfit. Today we look back on this moment in fashion history with fondness, and many have recreated this outfit for some truly unforgettable Halloween costumes.

Rihannas Iconic Swarovski Gown

Over the years, this singer has come out with some truly stunning fashion looks, but this might be her most controversial. For the 2014 Council of Fashion Designers of America Fashion Awards, Rihanna wore a custom fishnet gown by Adam Selman, dripping in over 200,000 Swarovski crystals. Rihanna opted to go braless to preserve the lines of the dress, making the already scandalous dress even more risque. This is the main reason why she received significant criticism for this look, as some thought the singer went too far. Rihanna has stated she still stands by the look, and we can see why. She looked phenomenal. This dress will no doubt go down as one of her best looks of all time.

Nicole Kidmans Chartreuse Dress

Named for the green hue of a French herbal liqueur, chartreuse is quite the contentious color. The debate over the merits of chartreuse was brought to the Oscars red carpet in 1997, when Nicole Kidman arrived in a floor-length Dior gown. While others kept their opinion on the dress to themselves, Joan Rivers thought otherwise. She loudly proclaimed the color a terrible choice for Kidman, and compared it to vomit. Kidman maintained her composure anyways, and told Womens Wear Daily how much she loved her dress, despite its controversial color. Looking back, she genuinely did pull off a difficult color, and looked stunning that night.

Björks Swan Gown

This dress from the 2001 Academy Awards has become one of the most memorable looks in red carpet history. Designed by Marjan Pejoski, the dress featured a sheer bedazzled bodysuit and a tulle recreation of a swan with its head resting on the Icelandic artists chest. This dress made headlines after the event, and the commentary was overwhelmingly negative. Björks creative look was almost universally reviled and endlessly mocked, simply because it went against the norm at the time. Today, people seem to have changed their minds. The dress has been featured at both the MoMA and The Met, cementing its place in fashion history.

Chers Black Oscars Ensemble

Feeling snubbed by the Academy after not receiving a nomination for her role in Mask, Cher wanted to make a big splash at the 1986 Oscars. Bob Mackie came up with this show-stopping outfit that was incredibly Cher in all the best ways. From the light-catching beadwork to her completely bare midriff and, of course, the massive feathered headdress, this look is peak Cher. This outfit went against all the red carpet rules of the Oscars, which helped Cher achieve her attention-grabbing goal. Though others criticised this look, it apparently worked as Cher went on to win her Oscar for Moonstruck in 1988.

Do you think these looks were judged too harshly, or were they total fashion fails? Let us know in the comments!