Honestly, the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards was a lot of things. It was loud, it was flashy, and for a solid fifteen minutes, the internet collectively lost its mind over one specific person. No, I’m not talking about Taylor Swift’s winners' streak or Katy Perry’s high-flying performance. I’m talking about Addison Rae.
When she stepped onto the red carpet at the UBS Arena, she didn't just walk; she caused a full-on glitch in the matrix. The Addison Rae VMAs outfit became the instant, polarizing "Wait, what?" moment of the night. It wasn't just a dress. In fact, it wasn't a dress at all. It was a custom, deconstructed lingerie-meets-tutu ensemble that had people either crowning her the new queen of pop camp or putting her at the top of every "Worst Dressed" list on the planet.
But if you’ve been following her pivot from TikTok dancer to genuine pop star, you know this wasn't an accident. This was a calculated, archival-inspired statement.
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The Design Behind the Chaos
The look was custom-made by Claire Sullivan, an American designer known for her work with the Vaquera collective and her own "bigger is better" Southern aesthetic. If you looked at it for more than two seconds, you realized it was actually a highly technical piece of sculptural fashion.
It featured a white satin underwire bra with these exaggerated, almost pillow-like cups. To add to the "showgirl" vibe, it was trimmed with delicate boa feathers. Below the waist, she wore high-leg white panties and a massive, structural tulle tutu that was attached only to her backside, leaving the front entirely exposed.
It was daring. It was naked. It was very, very loud.
Working with stylist Dara Allen, Addison was clearly aiming for something specific. It wasn't about looking "pretty" in the traditional, boring red-carpet sense. It was about creating a silhouette that people would remember five years from now.
References You Might Have Missed
If the outfit felt familiar, that’s because it was a giant love letter to the women who built the VMAs. Addison isn't shy about her influences. She’s basically a walking encyclopedia of 80s and 90s pop culture at this point.
- Madonna's "Like a Virgin" (1984): The all-white bridal lingerie and messy-glam hair were a direct nod to the Queen of Pop’s most iconic awards show moment.
- The 2003 Kiss: The tutu and "wedding" vibe also referenced the 2003 performance where Madonna passed the torch to Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera.
- Diet Pepsi Aesthetics: The look served as a physical extension of her single "Diet Pepsi," which uses a lot of that "all-American pin-up" imagery.
Why the Internet Was So Divided
Social media is a brutal place for anyone taking a risk. Within minutes of her arrival, X (formerly Twitter) was flooded with memes. Some people compared the bra to "unbaked biscuits," while others genuinely thought she forgot the rest of her dress in the limo.
But here’s the thing: pop stars should be polarizing.
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The most boring thing a new artist can do is play it safe in a floor-length gown that looks like it belongs at a charity gala. By wearing something that felt "costumey" and "raw," Addison signaled that she’s no longer just an influencer trying to fit in. She’s an artist trying to stand out.
The beauty look also played a huge role in balancing the "nakedness" of the clothes. Legendary makeup artist Pat McGrath handled her face, using a soft, ethereal palette to create a "modern Marilyn" vibe. It was innocent on top, chaotic on bottom. That contrast is exactly what made it work for the "fashion people" even if it didn't work for the general public.
The Law of the VMA Red Carpet
Historically, the VMAs have never been about "good" fashion. They’re about memorable fashion. We’re talking about the show that gave us Lady Gaga’s meat dress and Rose McGowan’s chainmail look.
When you look at the Addison Rae VMAs outfit through that lens, it’s a total success. It wasn't supposed to be wearable. It wasn't supposed to be "classy." It was supposed to be a headline.
She even stayed on theme with her hair, which was styled by Lucas Wilson in glossy, old-Hollywood waves held back by a sweet little barrette. It was a "good girl" hairstyle paired with "bad girl" clothes. That duality is basically the blueprint for every successful pop star from the last thirty years.
A Pivot Toward High Fashion
This wasn't a one-off moment either. Since then, we’ve seen her leaning harder into archival pieces and weird silhouettes. She’s worked with Thom Browne for the CFDA Awards, wearing a mermaid-core look that was just as technical as the VMA tutu.
She’s moving away from the "bandage dress" era of 2020 and into a space where she’s wearing Gareth Pugh, Rodarte, and vintage Mugler. The VMA outfit was the "loud" announcement that the old Addison was gone.
Final Take: Was It a Win?
If you're asking if it was a "pretty" outfit, the answer is probably no for most people. But if you're asking if it was a "good" VMA outfit, the answer is a resounding yes. It stayed true to her brand—specifically the "Diet Pepsi" era—and it paid homage to her idols like Britney Spears and Madonna.
Most importantly, it sparked a conversation that lasted way longer than the awards show itself. In the world of pop music, that’s the only metric that actually matters.
To understand the full impact of this look, it helps to watch the "Diet Pepsi" music video right after looking at the red carpet photos. You’ll see the cone bra references and the Russ Meyer-inspired cinematography that Claire Sullivan and Dara Allen were trying to pull into the real world.
If you're looking to channel this kind of energy without actually wearing your underwear to a party, start by mixing high-contrast textures. Think oversized, "messy" tulle paired with very structured, almost industrial tops. It’s all about the tension between the soft and the sharp.
Next Steps for Your Wardrobe:
- Look for archival-inspired pieces: You don't need a custom Claire Sullivan to get this look. Scour vintage shops for 80s-era corsetry or structured "bullet" bras.
- Embrace the tutu: Small doses of tulle can add that "showgirl" edge to a basic outfit. Try a sheer tulle skirt over slim-fit trousers.
- Focus on the Contrast: Follow the Pat McGrath rule—if the outfit is "crazy," keep the makeup classic and ethereal to create a balanced, high-fashion narrative.