If you were to peek inside my Slack messages with colleagues, you’d realize that we all have mixed feelings about award shows. From the Met Gala to the Oscars to the Grammy Awards, no function is safe from our thoughts, feelings, and general gossip. Sometimes, it feels like I’m low-key hate-watching a ceremony just to see how many celebs woefully misunderstood the assignment and the dress code. But really, I’m tuning in for those celebs who get it. You know, the ones who manage to serve looks and champion some of the biggest fashion trends of the moment? Well, that type of style is only found among the best of the best, and luckily for us, a few did manage to pull up and show out at this year’s 2022 Billboard Music Awards. So ahead, I’ve rounded up the best red carpet looks from the ceremony and identified the six biggest accessory trends from the evening. If these looks are proof of anything, it’s that we’ll be talking about these ensembles for months to come and wearing the trends too.
WHO: Kylie Jenner. WEAR: Balmain Fall 2022 Dress and Ultima Metallic Leather Sandals ($1595). There’s no better time to access what jewelry trends are actually a thing better than spotting them on the red carpet. At last night’s 2022 Billboard music awards, the celeb set made it clear that bangles are back.
WHO: Chlöe Bailey . WEAR: Valdrin Sahiti Dress . But it’s not just spotting oversized chunky bangles on Chlöe Bailey and Kylie Jenner that makes this a note-worthy micro-trend off the red carpet—it’s how they’re wearing them. Layered over leather opera gloves or the sleeve of the dress it’s all about showing off the drip in the least subtle way. And while we can’t all walk around in gowns, we can add some bangles into our very own lives.
Layer them on.
It will give the impression of wearing multiple cuffs for the price of one.
Wearable art.
This would look so chic over your favorite second-skin top.
WHO: Doja Cat. WEAR: Schiaparelli Couture . I’m willing to stand by the following assertion: Doja Cat was the best-dressed attendee at the 2022 Billboard Music Awards. Her couture Schiaparelli look not only paid homage to her recent award-winning album, Planet Her. But the look championed a bubbling micro-trend among a few designers: futurism. With darting curves on the dress and the stunning Saturn-shaped handbag, it’s giving Jetson energy in the best possible way.
WHO: Megan Thee Stallion. WEAR: Mugler Dress; Jimmy Choox Mugler 110mm Crystal-Ball Embellished Sandals ($1950). Doja Cat wasn’t the only one to subtly nod to futuristic fashion in her red carpet look; so did Meg Thee Stallion. While her look was a bit more subtle, Megan’s Mugler mini-dress evoked the same emphasis on futurism—just look at the almost movement-like draping and cutouts on the dress or the sci-fi-like acrylic strap and jewelry as proof. These rappers’ looks reminded us that they’re not only the future of music but that we need to take our accessorizing game into the future, stat.
A pair of earrings that are out of this world.
Is it a meteorite, or a clutch bag? Maybe both.
Forget a space helmet, this choker is all you need.
The curved acrylic sole on this sandal is peak futurism.
WHO: Teyana Taylor. WEAR: Skims top; Givenchy Pants; Balenciaga Shoes . The fashion set has been loving heavy hardware jewelry for a while now, but it seems that the celebrity crowd isn’t ready to give it up yet either. Case in point: Teyana Taylor’s Billboard Music Awards look. It’s noteworthy that she’s not only wearing an insane oversized chain, but every other element of the outfit (from her hair adorned with chains to her pants being studded, to layered chain belts and bracelets )is all about the heavy metals.
WHO: Jazzelle Zanaughtti. Taylor wasn’t the only one to embrace layering on the chunky silver pieces, long-time Fenty Beauty model, Jazzelle Zanaughtti also showed the trend some love on the runway. While it was definitely more subdued than Taylor’s look, Zanaughtti’s full-length crochet gown paired with insanely chunky jewelry is a vibe. From the oversized earrings to the choker, to the bangles it’s clear that heavy jewelry isn’t going anywhere, anytime soon.
Now, this is a truly chunky chain.
These will add a little pizzazz to any outfit.
PSA: the heaviy hardware trend can be carried too.
Obsessed.
WHO: Megan Fox . WEAR: David Koma Gown ($1,379) and Crystal Flower Embroidered Long Gloves. Crystals are a mainstay on any red carpet these days, but it seems that they’re slowly getting a trendier refresh through unexpected accessories. Case in point: Megan Fox’s 2022 Billboard Music Awards red carpet look. She’s donning this old-Hollywood floor-length cutout David Koma gown, but rather than styling it with typical crystal jewelry, she’s paired it with crystal-embellished opera gloves and a little ring over it. It’s the dramatic flair I didn’t even know I needed in my life.
WHO: Liza KoshyWEAR: Area Crystal Cage Strap Blazer ($1680) and Crystal Buckle Mini Skirt ($780). Megan Fox wasn’t the only one to bring drip back to the red carpet in a new way; Actress and Youtuber Liza Koshy did as well. She donned a crystal-embellished blazer from Area NYC and a mini skirt with an oversized sparkly belt buckle and sparkly heels—she was drippin’. And while it may seem a little too extravagant to embrace this much sparkle daily, if you do it in small doses (i.e., an embellished t-shirt, a sparkly belt, opera gloves, or shoes), it can make everyday drip much more attainable.
Spice up your go-to blazer with this belt.
Yes, that’s a crystal bucket hat.
If you prefer more subtle pieces, these hoops are perfect for you.
This tank is not technically an accessory, but go ahead and embrace the drip.
WHO: Kali UchisWEAR: Custom GCGS Gown and Bag; Jacob & Co Jewelry; Dena Kemp Jewelry; Jimmy Choo Sandals. While the fashion set is getting excited about the prospect of new handbag trends, the celebrity set still can’t satisfy their tiny handbag cravings. Personally, I’m not mad about it, especially when you look as good as Kali Uchi did on the red carpet. Her custom-made GDGS gown was serving a full meal, in and of itself. But the little bag? That was the dessert.
WHO: Shenseea. WEAR: Di Petsa Gown. Kali Uchis wasn’t the only musician continuing to carry the baby handbag trend; so did Shenseea. The reggae musician wore this incredible gown from the Greek brand Di Petsa with fun gold accessories, but the best part was indeed the tiny bag. Maybe our takeaway from the Billboard red carpet can be that only if you’re trying to serve a full look (whether it’s at a function or daily) and want to go big with it, you go tiny with your handbag choice.
A mini bag made for everyday wear.
The world will be your red carpet when you have this bag.
Mango does it again.
Who needs a disco ball when you can have this bag?
WHO: Becky G. WEAR: Zuhair Murad Dress. Last but certainly not least, the trend we saw bubble up at The Billboard Music Awards was sky-high platform shoes. Platforms in all their forms have been a cult favorite among the fashion set for a minute now, and it was refreshing to see them pop up on the carpet. We loved how musician and actress Becky G elevated her feather-adorned Zuhair Murad mini dress with sleek platform sandals.
WHO: Janette Ok. WEAR: Rotate Birger Christensen Natalie Off-Shoulder Satin Minidress ($375); Versace Medusa Aevitas Satin Platform Pumps ($1230). If Becky G’s red carpet look didn’t convince you that platform shoes are poppin’ off, you’ll want to look to the famous TikToker, Janette Ok’s look as proof. The social media star paired a pink Rotate Birger Christensen dress with those viral Versace Medusa pumps to create a look that was the life of the party. While the look may not be as dramatic as other red carpet looks, it’s the perfect example of how you can take a viral trend off of social media, wear it on the red carpet, and then wear it again in the streets. Proving that the award-winning looks of the night not only serve on the carpet but can give us style inspiration off the carpet too.
