If you're not going to be the best dressed, why not go for the most shocking, which nowadays seems to get more press and notoriety than looking fashionable?
And let's face it: We all remember what Lady Gaga wore to the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards (the infamous raw meat dress), but Julia Roberts' myriad award-winning looks, who recalls? Check out our list of 19 shocking looks that left a lasting impression.
Image via Johnny Lawrence / Splash News
Bjork
One of the most shocking dresses ever graced the red carpet at the 2001 Oscars. Singer Bjork basically wore a swan as a dress designed by Marjan Pejoski, and to complete the look, Bjork had ostrich eggs that she scattered on the red carpet. Weird!
Justin Timberlake & Britney Spears
We can't ever unsee the denim formal wear this once lovey-dovey couple proudly wore at the 2001 VMAs. They were the hottest singers at the moment, the hottest couple, with access to the hottest stylists and designer duds. The looks had everyone scratching their heads.
Jennifer Lopez
The Versace dress that helped start Google Images left little to the imagination at the 2000 Grammys.
Amber Rose & Blac Chyna
To protest slut-shaming, the duo decided to make a statement at the 2015 VMAs by rocking skin-tight numbers with derogatory words often said about women. The outfits were designed by Brittany DeShields and Barbee Bonner of the label THESEPINKLIPS.
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Sarah Jessica Parker
The theme of the 2015 Met Gala was China: Through the Looking Glass, so Parker paired a Philip Treacy custom headdress with a dress designed by her in collaboration with H&M. Although it may have been fashion forward, she looked a bit like the flame emoji.
Lenny Kravitz
He always puts on an epic show, and his look at the 2004 VMAs was no exception. It consisted of wings and a denim fringe cape, which really helped make it awe-inducing.
Dennis Rodman
Um, Rodman rocked a bunch of questionable trends with the suit, sarong, and crop top number he wore to a Comedy Central roast in 2005.
Nicki Minaj
Her revealing outfits are always a topic of conversation after any red carpet event, but it was her covered-up Versace cape paired with a Pope look-alike that really surprised people at the 2012 Grammys.
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Madonna
She rocked a bullfighter look by Givenchy at the 2015 Grammys. But that wasn't enough shock for her fans, so Madonna lifted the back of her corset to give us all a view of her full moon. Talk about a red carpet moment!
Lil Kim
She bared almost all in her pasty and jumpsuit designed by stylist Misa Hylton-Brim at the 1999 VMAs.
Lady Gaga
At the 2010 VMAs, Gaga shocked fans by donning a meat dress made by Franc Fernandez and styled by Nicola Formichetti. Lady Gaga told Ellen the next day, "If we don't stand up for what we believe in and if we don't fight for our rights, pretty soon we're going to have as much rights as the meat on our own bones. And, I am not a piece of meat."
Bleona Qereti
She might not be a huge star in the US yet, but her fashion choices really seem to draw her attention. At the 2015 Grammys, the Albanian singer rocked a futuristic outfit by Shpeitm Zero that sure got her noticed.
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Cher
Always one to push the fashion boundaries, a 64-year-old Cher stunned us all when she made a surprise appearance at the 2010 VMAs wearing her 1989 "If I Could Turn Back Time" video outfit.
Uma Thurman
She looked more like the storybook character Heidi then a red carpet diva at the 2004 Oscars in a baggy Christian LaCroix dress.
Jared Leto
He's often one to push the boundaries, but his casual stroll in Paris, with pink hair, leggings, and a poncho might just take the cake. OK, it's not the red carpet, but we couldn't resist including it in a roundup of most shocking outfits!
Kesha
Seems like she was channeling Jem and The Holograms in her fluorescent face paint and leotard at 2010's European Music Awards.
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Lupita Nyong'o
The flapper look can be pulled off in modern times, but this Prada number Nyong'o wore to the 2014 Met Gala missed the mark.
Nick Cannon
Camo shorts and a camo jacket are a bit of a bold fashion statement even for Cannon, who rocked the bright look at the Kid's Choice Awards in 2015.
Bai Ling
We could do a whole story on Ling's daring looks, but this Hollywood sign as a skirt at the opening of the Hollywood Film Festival might be one of our favorites.
