On Sunday, Jan. 2, the GRAMMYs took place at 5 p.m. Western time in the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. With such an influential group of celebrities, there are always plenty of interesting fashion choices. This year was no different: with a wide range of fashion statements from sequins to streetwear, there was no style left untouched.
The event featured a wide variety of dresses, jumpsuits, pants, and coats that could send most into “fashion shock.” The ones we selected to share our opinions on consist of artists from the most common music genres: rap, pop, country, and Latin music. All nominees for these awards wore nothing short of a statement, although some looks were more dramatic than others.
The first award of the night was Best Rap Album, which Cardi B presented as a past nominee for the very same award and one of only three women who have received it. Wearing a captivating black and orange tiger print dress, she stole the eyes of the audience. She presented the award to Doechii for her album, Alligator Bites Never Heal, released in August 2024. Doechii is now the third woman to receive the award, an accomplishment that places her alongside Ms. Lauryn Hill and Cardi B.
Doechii left many speechless with both her excellent performance and her outfit, which could be interpreted as a cross between a schoolboy and an army commander. Consisting of a cropped grey button-up and balloon-ish pants, the pant legs extended outwards a foot or two in an attempt to mimic a hoop skirt. She wore four other looks that night, all from the same designer, Thom Browne, that contained the same elements of pinstripes and masculine designs.
Overall, Doechii’s overwhelming performance outfit was fitting for her album and was on brand for her music, but it’s safe to say that we still weren’t completely on board with the pants she walked on stage to claim her award with. Her outfit was too loud and clown-looking to accept her first-ever award at such a formal event. Her outfit receives 2 out of 5 feathers.
We now move onto famous pop star Sabrina Carpenter, who has recently gained a large following for her new music, winning the award for Best Pop Vocal Album. She shocked us all during her performance with her surprise outfit change, transitioning from a black suit to a black mini skirt, a little detour away from her usual hyper-feminine, sparkly self. However, as she performed Espresso with a jazzy masculine tone, she ripped the entire ensemble off and revealed her not-so-shocking sequined blue corset layered with gems and diamonds.
While nothing short of spectacular, it was very on-brand for her usual tour outfits. This specific blue shade with the diamond necklace and big hair was very stylish and it was nice to see someone in something familiar with a touch of extra pizazz for a special event such as the GRAMMYs, scoring her a 4 out of 5 feathers.
The next award given was Best New Artist, which Olivia Rodrigo presented wearing an elegant and mature but simple black jumpsuit with cutouts. She gave the award to Chappell Roan, who came dressed in a predictable but still shocking clown-themed outfit. Her bold outfit choices never fail to catch the eye, but we find them a tad too loud and distracting. She changed outfits multiple times, later going on stage in a grey paper-bag dress with a tall, pointy Renaissance hat and her usual heavy eye makeup. Her outfits in all were a 3.5 out of 5 feathers.
Later, Taylor Swift came on stage to present Best Country Album in a short red sequin dress, awarding Beyoncé for her album, Cowboy Carter, which she released in March 2024. Despite the public controversy around her winning the award, we thought her outfit was very chic and on-theme. She wore a sparkly, sheer bandana-inspired dress with detached sleeves. This outfit took a fashionable, modern approach to country style and incorporated elements that we had never seen from Beyoncé before, giving her a 4 out of 5 feathers.
The final award we will outfit-review was the Best Latin Pop Album award, which Shakira accepted for her album, Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran. She wore a black and orange floor-length dress, somewhat resembling a Halloween costume. The dress was not bold, risky, or simple enough to impress, consisting of black and orange sequins in a mermaid style with a sheer bottom lace patterned skirt. Overall it was giving “awkwardly shaped prom dress” and the black and orange color choice played too closely to Halloween colors. Overall, a 3 out of 5 feathers.
The GRAMMYs this year showcased many different aspects of modern fashion, allowing artists to express themselves and show off for this award ceremony. Many artists took some large risks in order to stand out but most of them paid off, but we’d like Shakira to give it another go.
