Stackable jewels to naked nails: Gen Z fashion reigns at the 2025 VMAs
The 2025 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) red carpet was a display of fashion-forward statements, and Gen Z stole the show this year. From oversized statement jewelry to perfectly sleek nails, the stars adopted innovative trends that perfectly capture their young and fearless sense of style.
Celebrities such as Paris Hilton, Ariana Grande, Doja Cat, and Tyla featured trends that have become inseparable with the Gen Z style, testifying to the strength of this generation's fashion influence.
Tyla's eclectic stackable jewellery look
Tyla's stackable jewellery look was one of the most striking trends at the 2025 VMAs. Gen Z have been all about loving big, chunky items and Tyla completely got into that by layering everything from different jewellery pieces to get that fresh and eclectic look. Whether it was combining gold chains, oversized rings, or chunky bracelets, Tyla's style summed up the essence of Gen Z's experimental nature when it comes to fashion.
Paris Hilton's glam corset
Paris Hilton, famous for her classic glamour, made the VMAs red carpet hot with a dramatic gold and black corset and chic black nails. Her appearance was an ultimate combination of glamour and comfort, offsetting the fitted corset with minimalist, yet striking, nail color. Black nails, a Gen Z favorite, provided Paris's outfit with an edgy oomph that made it contemporary yet retained her trademark high-fashion oomph.
Ariana Grande's naked nail trend
Ariana Grande's natural looks have always won over the hearts of fans and her VMAs look was no exception. The singer has fully adopted the naked nail trend, which has swept the fashion world. Gen Z has been at the forefront of making this minimal nail trend go mainstream, choosing neutral, almost-there colors that are sophisticated and stylish. Ariana's flawlessly manicured nude nails at the VMAs not only had her looking low-key sleek but also highlighted the Gen Z penchant for embracing the less-is-more aesthetic. It's all about accentuating natural beauty, and Ariana got it right.
The return of florals, led by Zara Larsson
Florals, a style that has dominated fashion for decades, had a huge resurgence at the 2025 VMAs. Swedish artist Zara Larsson led this renewed trend in her beautiful floral outfit. The soft yet striking floral patterns on her dress resonated with the Gen Z obsession for romanticism and nature-driven styles. The return of florals at the VMAs is a reference to both Y2K nostalgia and the present-day fascination with nature and sustainability, two dominant themes for Gen Z. The return of florals is an example that even age-old trends can be changed to make them feel new and cutting-edge.
Sabrina Carpenter's vintage lilac pink boa
Sabrina Carpenter's look was a reference to vintage glamour with a modern spin. The actress and artist wore a lilac pink boa that embodied both vintage and contemporary style. The retro-inspired piece added a whimsical yet sophisticated element to her red-carpet look, balancing the more austere trends of the evening perfectly. Sabrina's retro-inspired fashion demonstrates how Gen Z is effortlessly mixing classic styles with their current fashion, producing a thrilling and distinctive style blend that respects both old-school and recent trends.
Doja Cat's daring Chopard earrings and Megan Thee Stallion's Blinged-Out Bag
Doja Cat, never one to shy away from bold and experimental fashion options, stunned at the 2025 VMAs with striking Chopard earrings. These theatrical accessories, complemented by a jaw-dropping ensemble, highlighted her passion for high-fashion extravagance and playfulness. Megan Thee Stallion's bedazzled Dunkin' cup bag, however, provided a fun, on-trend detail to her ensemble. The cup bag with rhinestones, which instantly turned heads, was a perfect demonstration of how Gen Z is taking up quirky, playful accessories to accentuate their ensembles.
Which Gen Z trend caught your attention?
The 2025 VMAs were the ultimate playground for Gen Z fashion, with A-listers such as Tyla, Paris Hilton, Ariana Grande, Zara Larsson, Sabrina Carpenter, Doja Cat, and Megan Thee Stallion wearing some of the year's most controversial trends. From the stacking jewellery of Tyla to the naked nails of Ariana Grande and the floral comeback of Zara Larsson, the evening confirmed that Gen Z is still ruling the fashion scene. So, what was the biggest of these Gen Z trends that caught your eye at the VMAs?
