Shania Twain and Machine Gun Kelly top 2022's most unusual red carpet outfits
Perhaps it's the post-pandemic freedom – two years of lockdowns and quarantines birthed a new era of creativity – or maybe as a society we’ve become more accepting of those who want to try more ‘unconventional’ looks, but this year, celebrities in unusual red carpet looks really knocked it out of the park.
From Doja Cat and Janelle Monáe’s avant-garde styles, to Julia Fox and Kendall Jenner finding new ways to interpret the 'nearly naked' trend that has dominated the red carpet of late, it seems unusual celebrity outfits became more and more commonplace this year.
Of course, the annual Met Gala red carpet serves up some of the most interesting looks in the fashion calendar, and this year’s theme of Gilded Glamour and White tie in honour of the New York museum’s In America: An Anthology of Fashion exhibition was no exception.
Read more: Emma Corrin’s goldfish-in-a-bag dress is their most daring red carpet outfit yet
Read more: The 'Glass Onion' red carpet is Kate Hudson and Janelle Monáe's playground
The Gilded Glamour theme gave attendees enough loose guidance whilst still leaving room for some celebrities to find the most unorthodox and eccentric outfits.
Fans were slightly confused how Kylie Jenner and Nicki Minaj’s baseball caps fit the theme, but they made for great social media commentary afterwards.
It's not just the women, either. Men and non-binary celebrities have been in the spotlight for some out-there outfits this year, too.
Read more: Julia Fox takes the cut-out trend to new extremes by completely exposing her underwear
Always a purveyor of the slightly absurd (see: holding a model of his own head at the Met Gala 2019), Jared Leto chose a lace cape style over his white satin suit for an event in March, whilst Brad Pitt seemed to throw out the entire ‘classic premiere outfits’ section of his wardrobe, instead opting for a series of colourful relaxed linen suits and a brown skirt suit.
Keep scrolling to see this year's most unusual celebrity red carpet outfits so far.
2022 most unusual celebrity red carpet outfits
Sienna Miller
It wasn't Sienna Miller's Nensi Dojaka mini dress that caught our attention for this list (we know the actor can wear just about anything), it was the hark back to early Noughties patterned tights that did the trick.
Lily Collins
Lily Collins swapped out her Emily In Paris character's flamboyant wardrobe for a a tan floor-length Saint Laurent dress with cut-outs across the front at the Netflix series three premiere in the French capital.
Shania Twain
Shania Twain channelled the iconic look from her 1998 'That Don't Impress Me Much' music video at People's Choice Awards, complete with leopard-print cape.
Machine Gun Kelly
Machine Gun Kelly – real name Colson Baker – took to the 2022 American Music Awards red carpet in a purple Dolce and Gabbana suit, covered head-to-toe in metal spikes
Anya Taylor-Joy
Anya Taylor-Joy's flippy, asymmetric, bandeau leather dress was only upstaged by her matching leather glove accessories.
Katy Perry
Singer Katy Perry channeled early Noughties Britney Spears in a head-to-toe denim look, complete with giant denim bow, at the CMA awards.
Kendall Jenner
Fans were confused by the meaning behind the two rectangle additions to Kendall Jenner's LACMA gown. “I don’t get the pause button,” one fan wrote on Instagram.
Timothée Chalamet
Timothée Chalamet never shies away from choosing a fashion-forward look for the red carpet, but his Haider Ackermann backless jumpsuit in a shimmering red shade had fans' heads turning from both sides of the Atlantic at the Venice Film Festival.
Janelle Monáe
Janelle Monáe always leans towards fun, exciting looks for the red carpet, and her Robert Wun pleated and ruffled mini dress for a Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery screening was no exception.
Jared Leto
Jared Leto's close relationship with former Gucci creative director Alessandro Michele resulted in some carefully curated looks, but now that Michele has moved on, will Leto go with him?
Brad Pitt
Brad Pitt really did have fun on the press tour for his summer 2022 film Bullet Train, with laid-back linen suits, vibrant green combinations and this brown linen skirt number.
Fredrik Robertsson
The Met Gala red carpet is always full of intriguing and unusual looks, but this year, Fredrik Robertsson really took the biscuit in Iris van Herpen.
Nicki Minaj
There wasn't just one thing about Nicki Minaj's Met Gala outfit that made it so unusual, it was the combination of the leather trousers, the body jewels and the leather padded cap.
Kylie Jenner
Bridal, but make it streetwear? Fans found it hard to get behind Kylie Jenner's Met Gala 2022 look, but she explained that was a tribute to her friend and designer, the late Virgil Abloh.
Lil Nas X
Even for Lil Nas X – whose red carpet outfits have been some of the most extravagant over the years – this larger-than-life feathered frame ensemble is something else.
Doja Cat
The 'Naked Dress' trend hit it big in 2022 and Doja Cat certainly subscribed, but it was her unusual make-up that really made the difference to this look.
Dove Cameron
A cut-out, X-ray style and Elizabethan-style hips? Dove Cameron's Billboard Music Award dress had it all.
Jourdan Dunn
Model Jourda Dunn's sculptural look for the BoF100 gala was one of the most artistic of the year.
Emma Corrin
Emma Corrin has become known for their avant-garde style on the red carpet, not least their take on this year’s Met Gala theme: an homage to the obscure dandy Evander Berry Wall in an oversized plaid jacket and top hat by Miu Miu.
Donatella Versace
Some might say that rips and chains degrade a dress, but if anyone were to make it work, it's Donatella.
Tessa Thompson
Tessa Thompson's tongue-in-cheek look for the Oscars after party was avant-garde even down to the accessories: a cheeky camera clutch bag.
Julia Fox
Julia Fox has made a name for herself with some pretty out-there looks and her signature thick black eyeliner, but a fully moulded hand around the neck at the Oscars After Party, and a clutch bag featuring real hair, was her wildest one yet.
