high fives, red carpet

High Fives: MTV VMAs Edition

High Fives: MTV VMAs Edition
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As usual, the MTV award show offered very few stand-outs in the fashion department, and plenty of cringe-worthy red carpet appearances. While the overall trend was short, tight, and strapless, these ladies got it just right.

We understand that the VMAs often present a fashion dilemma -- you want to stand out but don't go over the top -- but at this point, shouldn't everyone just KNOW that the dress code is "short, sassy, and if possible -- sparkly?" (Memo to Taylor Swift: Your long, sparkling gown was absolutely gorgeous, but this is the VMAs, not the Oscars!)

OLIVIA PALERMO

The fashion set decided to show up at the VMAs this year, and man, it shows. Palermo's LBD showed off the strong shoulders trend we've been loving, and the animal print belt was just enough sass to keep the outfit competitive on such a wild red carpet.

BEYONCE

Short, plunging neckline, and bright red. As ever, Beyonce nailed it -- and also managed to bring some vivid color to the awards show, which was rather lacking.

KATY PERRY

We'll probably catch some flak for this, but in all honesty, Perry's outfit was exactly right for the event. Super-short, metallic, but at the same time very flattering to her petite, curvaceous figure. Was it crazy? You bet. But it's just the right amount of crazy for the circumstances.

BY Laurel Pinson // Monday, Oct 19, 2009 at 06:31 EDT

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      About the Authors

      Follow us: twitter.com/ThreadNY

      Email us: thethread@nbcuni.com

      Laurel Pinson, senior fashion & shopping editor

      Laurel has worked at Vogue, Stylelist, and Lucky, devours style news, has a dangerous addiction to platforms, and won't back down in a sample sale fight.

      Laura Neilson, contributing editor

      A zealous follower of fashion since pre-school, Laura picked up her first copy of Vogue at age four (mesmerized, she mispronounced it as Vog-way).

      Kelly O'Reilly, contributor

      Kelly is a reformed sorority girl, aspiring yogini and closet magazine junkie, who also might be the only writer in New York who prefers Manhattan over Brooklyn.

      Catherine Blair Pfander, contributor

      Blair is a Brooklyn-based writer, eBay scavenger, and apple pie baker who'd rather be on two wheels in stilettos than stuck in a taxi -- unless the cabbie's listening to Prince.

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