Tove Lo’s 2016 VMAs Reebok Sneakers: Why This High-Low Moment Still Matters

When Tove Lo arrived at the 2016 MTV Video Music Awards at Madison Square Garden in New York City, the 5ft 6in (167.6 cm) singer—who wears a US women’s size 9 shoe—delivered a masterclass in subverting red-carpet expectations with a look that prioritized individuality over convention.

Tove Lo tousles her hair at the 2016 MTV Video Music Awards held on August 28, 2016, at Madison Square Garden in New York City (Credit: Ivan Nikolov / WENN)

Choosing comfort over traditional glamour, the Swedish singer opted for a “cool-girl” aesthetic that prioritized footwear functionality.

Joining Bebe Rexha on stage to present the professional category awards, Tove Lo’s silhouette was defined by a deliberate contrast between high-fashion drapery and athletic-inspired metallic leather.

Tove Lo pairs a crisp white one-shoulder mini dress with bronze metallic Reebok x FACE “Spirit” sneakers, putting a cool, comfort-first spin on red-carpet dressing at the 2016 MTV Video Music Awards

She wore a loose-fitting, white Dion Lee dress that swamped her frame. The baggy one-shoulder dress featured long sleeves, zip details, and a thigh-skimming hemline.

Tove Lo subtly reveals her delicate tattoos while wearing a relaxed white Dion Lee one-shoulder mini dress, balancing soft structure with effortless, off-duty attitude at the 2016 MTV Video Music Awards

Tove Lo gave the look some edge with statement jewelry. She embraced the single-earring trend, wearing a septum ring and several rings.

She rounded out her look with a tousled ponytail, deep red lipstick, and bronzed eyeshadow.

Tove Lo strikes a relaxed red-carpet pose in bronze metallic sneakers, her tousled ponytail and minimalist stance reinforcing the effortless, comfort-first attitude behind her heel-free VMA look

The singer skipped stilettos in favor of bronze metallic Reebok x FACE Stockholm “Spirit” sneakers, grounding her fluid white Dion Lee dress with an unexpected, fashion-forward finish.

Crafted in shimmering leather with lightweight cushioning and molded PU sock liners, the sneakers delivered all-night comfort—but more importantly, they carried cultural cachet.

Tove Lo wears bronze leather Reebok x FACE Stockholm “Spirit” sneakers at the 2016 MTV Video Music Awards

Tove Lo is photographed from behind, wearing Reebok x FACE Stockholm “Spirit” sneakers

Part of Reebok and FACE Stockholm’s groundbreaking mid-2010s collaboration, the shoes embodied the duo’s shared philosophy of treating sneakers like makeup for the feet—a bold finishing touch rather than an afterthought.

Inspired directly by FACE Stockholm’s cosmetic palettes, the collection blurred the line between sports heritage and beauty glamour, ushering in the era of high-low dressing, where metallic trainers felt just as right on the red carpet as on the street.

A product shot of the Reebok x FACE Stockholm “Spirit” sneaker in bronze leather

In retrospect, Tove Lo’s choice reads as quietly ahead of its time: a snapshot of the moment when sneakers stopped being a styling compromise and became a deliberate statement—one later embraced by fashion insiders and campaign faces like Ashley Madekwe and Sincerely Jules alike.

Why Tove Lo’s Sneaker Moment Still Matters in Red-Carpet Fashion

Long before sneakers became a red-carpet norm, Tove Lo’s choice to step out in metallic Reebok trainers signaled a shift in how fashion insiders thought about evening dressing. Her look marked a turning point: comfort, individuality, and high-low styling began to coexist with traditional glamour, proving that the right sneakers could complete an outfit just as powerfully as heels.

From athleisure crossovers to charity-driven collaborations and celebrity-endorsed classics, Reebok’s evolution in fashion continues to reflect its fearless, functional style.