The Best Shoes at the 2026 MTV VMAs: Taylor Swift in Le Silla, Lisa in Jimmy Choo, Tyla, and More

The MTV VMAs, held Sunday at the Peacock Theater in LA, have long been known for their bold, daring fashion, giving music’s biggest stars room to experiment with their red-carpet looks. This year was no different, with sheer lace, metallics, curve-hugging silhouettes, and skin-baring designs bringing the signature VMA boldness to the red carpet.

And the shoes were just as hard to ignore, with stars stepping out in everything from strappy heels and towering platforms to statement boots and eye-catching pumps. I loved how the shoes added something extra, whether it was a touch of sparkle, a dramatic height boost, or an edgier finish!

From Taylor Swift’s crystal Le Silla sandals and Lisa’s red Jimmy Choo pumps to Paris Hilton’s thigh-high Christian Louboutin boots, nine standout looks capture the range of statement footwear at the 2026 MTV VMAs in Los Angeles on September 27, 2026 (Credit: Doug Peters / PA Images / INSTARimages)

Madonna was the night’s biggest winner, taking home seven of her 13 nominations, including Artist of the Year, Best Collaboration with Sabrina Carpenter for “Bring Your Love,” and Best Album for Confessions II.

Taylor Swift followed with three wins, including Video of the Year for “The Fate of Ophelia” and Best Direction for “Opalite,” along with the first-ever MTV VMA Artist Director Honors. Ariana Grande took home two awards, winning Song of Summer for “Hate That I Made You Love Me” and Best Visual Effects.

Let’s take a look at some of the standout outfit and footwear moments from the 2026 MTV VMAs.

Taylor Swift Sparkles in Le Silla Bella Heels and Tamara Ralph Crystals

Taylor Swift brought a mix of retro Hollywood glamour and modern, sculptural style to the 2026 MTV VMAs, pairing a sleek black bodysuit and dramatic silver skirt with crystal-covered strappy heels.

Swift slipped into the Le Silla “Bella” sandals, with a slim strap across the toes, two crisscrossing straps over the foot, and a buckled ankle strap. Tiny microcrystals embellished the straps, adding sparkle to the delicate design. The barely-there Bella has become a recurring red-carpet style, with Issa Rae wearing the same Le Silla silhouette in metallic gold at the 2026 Independent Spirit Awards.

Their metallic silver insoles added even more shine, while the open pointed toes and slender 4.7-inch stiletto heels added dramatic height to Taylor Swift’s already statuesque 5’9¼” frame.

Taylor Swift shines in Le Silla “Bella” sandals featuring crystal-embellished crisscrossing straps, metallic silver insoles, open pointed toes, and stiletto heels (Credit: Doug Peters / PA Images / INSTARimages)

Taylor Swift paired the sandals with a black bodysuit and an asymmetric silver skirt from Tamara Ralph’s Fall 2026 collection. Like her heels, the skirt was covered in tiny crystals, giving the fabric a fluid, shimmering look. It sat low on her hips and gathered into a knot on one side, creating soft folds that flowed down her figure. A thigh-high slit opened into a long, sweeping silver train, adding even more drama to the look.

Up top, Swift wore a minimalist black velvet halter top with a high neckline and sheer mesh cutouts along the sides. I loved how the mesh panels created the illusion of a more defined waist, while the contrast between the matte black velvet and shimmering silver skirt gave the outfit a sleek, high-fashion look.

Swift added even more sparkle with multiple earrings and diamond rings, including Leviev diamond chandelier earrings, an Anita Ko Large Pear Diamond Orbit earring, a Forevermark New York Royale Diamond Ring, an Etho Maria Diamond Bunched Ring, and a Kindred Lubeck of Artifex Fine Jewelry Old Mine Brilliant Cut Diamond Ring.

Her shoulder-length hair was styled straight with her signature full bangs, while black eyeliner and a classic red lip completed her retro-inspired glam.

Taylor Swift teams her shimmering strappy heels with a look from Tamara Ralph featuring a black bodysuit with side mesh panels and a glittering silver draped skirt (Credit: Doug Peters / PA Images / INSTARimages)

Raye Channels ’60s Glamour in Blue Pumps and Georges Hobeika Crystals

Raye, who was nominated for Song of the Year for “Where Is My Husband?”, brought her signature vintage-inspired style to the 2026 MTV VMAs red carpet, channeling the glamour of a 1960s screen siren in a sparkling Georges Hobeika gown and baby blue pumps.

For footwear, she wore baby blue satin pumps with a half-d’Orsay silhouette, exposing the sides of the foot while retaining the structure of a classic pump. They featured pointed toes and squared vamps for a sleek shape, while the open sides gave them a lighter, more delicate appearance.

These pumps were finished with a structured heel counter wrapping around the back of the foot and slim stiletto heels that added height to Raye’s 5’5” (165.1 cm) frame. The British singer-songwriter, who has described herself as 5’5”, reportedly wears a US women’s shoe size 7.

Raye’s baby blue satin pumps combine sharply pointed toes and squared vamps with open half-d’Orsay sides and slender stiletto heels, adding a sleek finish to her crystal-embellished Georges Hobeika gown (Credit: Doug Peters / PA Images / INSTARimages)

Raye paired her blue pumps with a custom Georges Hobeika gown made from sheer nude mesh, completely covered in intricate swirls of tiny silver crystals and micro pearls. It also featured teardrop-shaped pearls scattered throughout the design and along the draped bust, adding extra texture and movement to the shimmering embellishments. I loved how these pearls and crystals created the illusion of sparkling liquid flowing down her figure!

I especially loved the fitted silhouette, which looked beautiful on Raye. The dramatically draped cowl halter neckline gave the gown a retro ’60s touch, while the open back added a sultry detail.

Her beauty look completed the retro theme. Raye wore her hair in a voluminous, side-parted ’60s bobby-pin curl style, paired with deep red lipstick that added an extra dose of vintage glamour.

Raye pairs her more modern pumps with a ’60s-style Georges Hobeika see-through mesh dress covered in intricate swirls of tiny silver crystals, micro pearls, and teardrop pearls (Credit: Doug Peters / PA Images / INSTARimages)

Teyana Taylor Goes Gothic in Thom Solo Platforms and Zuhair Murad Lace

Teyana Taylor, who presented Best Pop to K-pop star Lisa and was nominated for Best Collaboration with Lucky Daye for “Hard Part,” served vampy gothic glamour at the 2026 MTV VMAs in a dramatic Zuhair Murad gown and chunky Thom Solo platform pumps.

I really liked the shoes, though they were mostly hidden beneath the dramatic gown. Taylor wore Thom Solo’s “Opera” pumps in a mix of black nappa and metallic silver leather, giving the design a cool two-toned look. The front featured black patent leather toe caps that contrasted with the softer black satin uppers, while metallic silver trim wrapped around the back of the shoes and continued into the ankle straps. I liked how the silver details broke up the all-black design and added a little extra shine.

The pumps also had thick, curved platforms and towering flared heels, giving them a dramatic, sculptural shape. That architectural construction is a recurring Thom Solo signature, also seen in Priyanka Chopra’s Thom Solo Patchwork Curved boots, which feature dramatically curved heels, pointed toes, and sculpted cutout platforms. I especially liked how the pointed toes on Taylor’s Opera pumps extended past the platforms, giving the chunky shoes a sharper look.

The towering platforms also added dramatic height to Teyana Taylor’s 5’4” (162.6 cm) frame. Taylor has said she is 5’5”, while her reported US women’s shoe size is 7.5.

Her preference for statement platforms is well established, too: she has repeatedly gravitated toward architectural footwear, including sculptural black platform pumps at Schiaparelli’s Spring 2026 couture show. I especially liked the pointed toes, which extended past the platforms and gave the chunky shoes a sharper look.

Teyana Taylor opts for sharp, architectural heels by Thom Solo, featuring patent cap toes, satin uppers with silver leather trims, and pointed toes that extend past the chunky platforms (Credit: Doug Peters / PA Images / INSTARimages)

Taylor paired the two-toned pumps with a sheer black Zuhair Murad gown from the Fall 2026 collection. Delicate geometric openwork lace covered the dress, creating a sheer, nude-like effect. The lace was also decorated with tiny shimmering beads, adding texture and sparkle throughout the gown.

The plunging neckline was one of the dress’s boldest details, dipping all the way below her waist and ending in a wide black velvet band that cinched her figure. Long black velvet ribbons framed the neckline and fell down the front of the dress, trailing toward the floor for some added drama.

Shaggy black feathers trimmed the oversized collar, cuffs, and sweeping hem, giving the gown a dramatic, voluminous finish.

Taylor completed the gothic look with her hair styled into high space buns, showcasing her Jennifer Behr “Shereen” stud earrings. Smoky eye makeup and nude lipstick finished off her dark, sultry beauty look.

Teyana Taylor pairs her modern heels with a sheer black Zuhair Murad gown featuring a daring plunging neckline, geometric openwork lace, and black feather trims around the collar, cuffs, and hem (Credit: Doug Peters / PA Images / INSTARimages)

Tyla Goes Y2K in Le Silla Snakeskin Pumps and Mowalola Python

Tyla, who introduced Lisa onstage, brought a sultry Y2K vibe to the VMAs with a head-to-toe snakeskin look. I loved how she really committed to the early-2000s aesthetic, pairing a low-rise skirt and tiny bra top with pointed pumps for that sexy, throwback pop-star look.

For footwear, she wore Le Silla’s “Eva” pumps, a classic pointed-toe style with low-cut vamps that exposed more of her feet and slim stiletto heels that added to the shoes’ polished finish. The towering heels also added significant height to Tyla’s petite 5’3” (160 cm) frame; she reportedly wears a US women’s shoe size 5.5.

The classic silhouette kept the focus on the beige-and-black snakeskin pattern, making the pumps more eye-catching. The Eva is a recurring celebrity favorite, with Jennifer Lopez wearing the same Le Silla pump in a black-and-white python-effect finish.

Tyla’s beige-and-black snakeskin Le Silla “Eva” pumps feature sharply pointed toes and slender stiletto heels, extending the exotic-skin texture of her Mowalola look all the way to her feet (Credit: Doug Peters / PA Images / INSTARimages)

Tyla paired her snakeskin pumps with a steel-blue python-print set from Mowalola’s Spring/Summer 2027 Ready-to-Wear collection. The London-based label is known for its bold streetwear and pop-culture-inspired designs, and this look captured that attitude perfectly.

She wore a bikini-style bra top with a matching ultra-low-rise pencil skirt, leaving her midriff and navel piercing fully on display. The fitted skirt hugged her legs before ending below the knee, while the tiny top left most of her torso bare for a daring Y2K look.

Tyla accessorized with a matching snakeskin neckband to tie the print together, while a couple of rings on her pink-manicured hands kept her accessories simple. She wore cornrow braids across the crown with the rest of her hair sleek and straight, finishing the look with smoky eyes and berry lips.

Tyla teams her beige snakeskin shoes with a blue python set by Mowalola featuring a bra top and a pencil skirt (Credit: Doug Peters / PA Images / INSTARimages)

Paris Hilton Goes Space-Age in Louboutin Boots and The Blonds Silver Mini

Paris Hilton continued her The Blonds style streak at the 2026 MTV VMAs, serving futuristic, space-age glamour in an all-silver look.

She wore Christian Louboutin’s silver “Circus Max Perla Botta Alta” boots, giving the outfit a ’60s sci-fi vibe. Paris recently wore the same style in an embellished black version at The Blonds’ 20th Anniversary show during NYFW, where the close-fitting thigh-high silhouette further elongated her 5’7” frame.

The boots combined silver suede and sheer mesh, with geometric cutouts running from the thighs down toward the feet. The shapes resembled horizontal teardrops, each covered in sparkling silver strass crystals. I loved how these embellishments emphasized the unusual pattern and gave the boots a futuristic, space-age look.

Their ultra-thigh-high shafts, sharply pointed toes, and tall, slender 4.7-inch stiletto heels created a long, sleek line down her legs, elongating her silhouette and giving the entire outfit a dramatic finish.

A black suede version of these boots is available for $3,295 at Mytheresa.

Paris Hilton sparkles in Christian Louboutin’s silver “Circus Max Perla Botta Alta” boots featuring geometric cutouts adorned with silver strass crystals (Credit: Doug Peters / PA Images / INSTARimages)

Paris paired the boots with a matching silver mini dress from The Blonds’ Fall/Winter 2026 collection. I loved the dress’s fluid draping, especially the deep cowl neckline that dipped low to show off her cleavage. The dress also featured structured shoulders that gave the top a sharper shape and balanced out the soft draping.

A keyhole cutout exposed her midriff, while additional front cutouts made the dress even more daring. The skirt then draped asymmetrically around her thighs, creating soft folds and fluid movement.

Adding more sparkle, Paris wore sheer, crystal-embellished nude opera gloves, though I wish they had been silver to match the look. A crystal-covered choker completed the ensemble, while her sleek platinum blonde bob, smoky eyes, contoured cheeks, and pink lipstick kept the futuristic vibe going.

Paris Hilton pairs her shiny silver boots with a matching silver mini dress from The Blonds featuring a daring plunging cowl neckline, structured shoulders, front cutouts, and a draped mini skirt (Credit: Doug Peters / PA Images / INSTARimages)

Nicky Hilton Sparkles in Aquazzura Heels and a Bronx Banco Gown

Nicky Hilton, Paris Hilton’s younger sister, also went for silver at the 2026 MTV VMAs, but her approach was much more understated. She kept things sleek and elegant while still bringing plenty of sparkle!

For footwear, Nicky wore Aquazzura’s “Dance Plexi” sandals, made in Italy from shimmery silver Specchio leather and transparent PVC, giving the sandals a barely-there look. It’s a style she has worn before: Nicky paired the same Aquazzura Dance Plexi sandals with a blue Versace gown at the 2023 Vanity Fair Oscar Party.

Slim crisscrossing PVC straps wrapped across the front of her feet and continued around the ankles, with tiny crystals covering the straps for extra sparkle. The open-toe design kept the shoes delicate, while the slender 4-inch heels boosted Nicky Hilton’s 5’7” frame.

Nicky Hilton keeps it minimalist with Aquazzura’s “Dance Plexi” sandals made from silver Specchio leather and crystal-embellished transparent PVC straps (Credit: Doug Peters / PA Images / INSTARimages)

Crystal-covered Aquazzura heels have become something of a recurring choice for Nicky. She has also worn the label’s celebrity-favorite Tequila crystal sandals on multiple red carpets and fashion occasions.

Nicky paired the sandals with a sleek silver Bronx Banco column gown. From the front, the dress looked simple and sophisticated, with a high crew neckline and slim fit that perfectly hugged her figure. Tiny crystals covered the entire gown, giving the silver fabric a shimmering finish.

The dress grew bolder at the sides and back, with deep cutouts exposing her waist and sides. A thigh-high slit revealed her legs, while glittering rhinestone loops connected the open sections at the back, adding an edgier detail to the polished silhouette.

Nicky finished the look with long, tousled waves and her signature pink-toned makeup, pairing soft pink lips with smoky eyes that highlighted her blue eyes.

Nicky Hilton continues the sparkle by pairing her crystal sandals with a sleek silver Bronx Banco crystal-embellished column gown with glittering rhinestone loops framing the open back (Credit: Doug Peters / PA Images / INSTARimages)

Lisa Goes Red-Hot in Jimmy Choo Brigitte Pumps and The Attico

Lisa, who won Best Pop for “Dream” with Kentaro Sakaguchi, looked red-hot at the 2026 MTV VMAs in a dramatic all-red look. I loved how she went all in on the monochromatic styling, from her glossy Jimmy Choo pumps to the oversized fur coat.

For footwear, Lisa wore Jimmy Choo’s “Brigitte 100” pumps in Ruby Red patent leather. The glossy finish worked seamlessly with the head-to-toe crimson palette, while the sharply pointed toes and sleek silhouette gave the dramatic outfit a polished finish. The Brigitte has become a recurring red-carpet choice, with Priyanka Chopra wearing black satin Jimmy Choo Brigitte pumps with her feathered Dior gown at the 2026 Oscars.

The pumps are set on slender 100mm (approximately 3.9-inch) heels, adding height to Lisa’s 5’5¼” (165.7 cm) frame without competing with the volume of her statement coat. The BLACKPINK star reportedly wears a US women’s shoe size 7. You can see the Jimmy Choo Brigitte 100 pumps at Jimmy Choo.

Lisa completes her monochromatic red look with Jimmy Choo Brigitte 100 pointed-toe pumps in glossy Ruby Red patent leather (Credit: Doug Peters / PA Images / INSTARimages)

Lisa kept the color story going with a red lingerie-style dress from The Attico. Her sheer, form-fitting chiffon bustier gown featured a structured corset bodice with built-in underwire cups and exposed boning, creating a defined torso. Draping around the hips added texture before the gown flowed into a long, body-hugging skirt that fell to the floor.

The real showstopper was her oversized faux-fur coat by Quine Li. Its huge sculptural collar wrapped around her shoulders and framed her face, while the voluminous fur extended into a sweeping train that spread across the blue carpet.

Lisa finished the look with long nails, rings on every finger, including the Hugo Kreit Dune ring set, a Rainbow K Tribal earring, and a high ponytail that kept her face visible.

Lisa pairs her red pumps with a red lingerie-style The Attico corset dress and an oversized red faux-fur coat by Quine Li (Credit: Doug Peters / PA Images / INSTARimages)

Bebe Rexha Goes Gothic in Jimmy Choo Lace Boots and Dreaming Eli

Bebe Rexha, who was nominated for Best Dance for “New Religion,” went for dark, gothic romance at the 2026 MTV VMAs in an all-black lace look, radiating a sultry Victorian-inspired edge.

For footwear, she wore Jimmy Choo’s “Scarlett” boots, which stretched high above her thighs. Made from intricate black floral lace, the boots had a romantic yet gothic look that matched the rest of her outfit.

The lace-up design ran from the vamps all the way up her thighs, while pointed toes and sleek leather trims gave the boots a sharper finish. The corset-inspired detailing is a defining feature of the Scarlett family, also seen on Sydney Sweeney’s black Jimmy Choo Scarlett lace-up boots.

Jimmy Choo’s signature drop heels added even more height and architectural drama to Bebe Rexha’s approximately 5’5” frame. You can get these boots for $3,500 at Jimmy Choo and Mytheresa.

Bebe Rexha goes for a dark romantic look in the Jimmy Choo “Scarlett” over-the-knee boots made from intricate black floral lace with a lace-up leather fastening along the center front (Credit: Doug Peters / PA Images / INSTARimages)

Bebe Rexha paired her boots with an entirely sheer, body-hugging lace dress from Dreaming Eli’s Fall/Winter 2026 collection. The label is known for its feminine designs with a darker edge, and Rexha’s look captured that mix.

The dress featured a structured underwire corset with visible boning and lacing, while the deep plunging neckline was framed by thick shoulder straps finished with raw lace edges.

The fitted bodice flowed into an asymmetrical high-low skirt, with a draped micro-skirt at the front, while the lace extended into a dramatic sweeping train at the back.

Dazzling diamond jewelry added more gothic glamour, including a large cross pendant by Loree Rodkin and bold cocktail rings. Her smoky makeup featured a smoked-out cat eye, sharp winged liner, heavy bronzer, and a classic ’90s glossy nude lip.

Bebe Rexha embraces gothic elegance in a black lace Dreaming Eli dress featuring a structured underwire corset with visible boning and lacing, a draped micro skirt at the front, and lace panels cascading at the back (Credit: Doug Peters / PA Images / INSTARimages)

Chloe Bailey Goes Futuristic in Flor de Maria Platforms and Idan Cohen

Chloe Bailey went futuristic, gladiator-inspired at the 2026 MTV VMAs, wearing an elaborate Idan Cohen gown with sleek Flor de Maria platform sandals. I loved how the simple shoes gave the heavily embellished outfit a little breathing room!

She wore Flor de Maria’s “Berta” sandals in champagne silk satin, which worked beautifully with her gown. The minimalist design featured crisscrossing straps across the toes and slim ankle straps, while the heel counter had cutout details that added a sexier touch. Flor de Maria’s dramatic platforms have also appeared elsewhere on the red carpet, with Kesha wearing pink satin Flor de Maria platform heels at The Hollywood Reporter’s 2026 Oscar Nominees Night.

Thick sculptural platforms and towering 5.5-inch stiletto heels gave the sandals a dramatic boost to Chloe Bailey’s 5’5” (165 cm) frame. Bailey wears a US women’s shoe size 8. By raising the forefoot as well as the heel, the platform construction creates substantial overall height without requiring the entire rise to come from the heel alone.

Chloe Bailey keeps her footwear simple with champagne platform heels by Flor de Maria featuring crisscrossing front straps, ankle straps, platforms, and stiletto heels (Credit: Doug Peters / PA Images / INSTARimages)

Bailey paired the minimalist heels with an intricate gown from Idan Cohen’s Spring 2026 collection. It was made of sheer champagne mesh, covered in silver beadwork, crystals, sequins, and geometric mirror embellishments. Tiny beads formed intricate lines and patterns across the dress, creating an ornate, armor-like effect that added to the gladiator-goddess theme.

Beyond the embellishments, the fitted gown hugged her curves and featured a high mock neckline, long sleeves, and large cutouts around the chest and waist that revealed plenty of skin. The embellishments continued down the floor-length skirt, while a short, sweeping train extended behind her and added even more drama.

Bailey matched the metallic gown with a fierce beauty look. Her hair was styled into a high, sculpted braided updo with blonde-highlighted tendrils framing her face. Bleached brows, a dramatic cat-eye wing, glossy bronzed cheeks, and a lined ’90s-style lip completed her futuristic glam.

Chloe Bailey channels a futuristic gladiator in a sheer nude Idan Cohen dress, covered in silver beadwork, crystals, sequins, and geometric mirror embellishments (Credit: Doug Peters / PA Images / INSTARimages)

From Prada Platforms to Crystal Louboutins: More Memorable MTV Shoe Moments

The 2026 VMAs continued a long MTV tradition of letting footwear do as much talking as the clothes. Over the years, the red carpet has moved from towering platforms and embellished stilettos to thigh-high boots and even metallic sneakers, with stars including Taylor Swift, Zendaya, Olivia Rodrigo, Hailey Baldwin, and Tove Lo using their shoes to define very different looks.