Slayed or outplayed
- Mar 30
- 10 min read
How come music attracts the most over the top outfits?
By: Kimaya Mahindra and Charlotte King
Let’s talk about the 2026 Grammys, an annual event that celebrates accomplished musical artists. And this year, some outfits definitely took everyone by surprise. In this article, Charlie and I (Kimaya) will share our opinions on these glittery and glamorous outfits and decide if they were ‘Slayed or Outplayed.’
First, let’s start off with Sabrina Carpenter, who wore a custom Valentino bridal inspired dress featuring a floral beaded bodice and tiered ruffles designed by Alessandro Michele.
Charlie:
Even if I don’t absolutely LOVE Sabrina Carpenter, I don’t hate the dress. This dress kinda gives off a fish vibe (the colour and style), and the torso and skirt don’t exactly fit together or complement each other. I love how the jewellery matches the dress, how the makeup is simple and suits the style, and other details. But first, let’s talk about the aspects that throw me off. The dress reminds me of a fish, with the torso hugging her tightly and the rest fanning out elegantly beneath her. Although the skirt doesn’t completely match the top, I love how it trails behind her. And to be completely honest, the longer I look, the better. Now for the parts that I adore. First, the makeup: simple and cute. I can’t not like it! It suits her dress so well. Even though it looks basic and like her ‘everyday style’, I still love it. We usually look at other celebrities and think, where is the statement? For Sabrina, there is no statement; she IS the statement. Overall, I can agree that this is a slay! (It’s not a definite slay, but it made it in the end)
Kimaya: This dress is drop-dead GORGEOUS!! As soon as I saw Sabrina stroll onto the red carpet, I instantly fell in love with the dress. I mean, WHO WOULDN’T? I love how the dress incorporates small white dots that run cohesively across the torso, arms, and bottom; it really gives the outfit a beautiful antique feel. I love the draped sleeves; I feel like they give the outfit a very posh, dreamy yet antique feel, which in some way links to the deep history of the Grammys. I also think that the way the whole dress shapes her body and trails behind her is just amazing. Honestly, I’d love to wear this any day! But there are some things that, in my opinion, would make the Sabrina’s look even better. I feel like her hair is very underwhelming. With a dress like this, you need hair that’s not too much but not too little. A high, messy bun would fit the aesthetic and make the look much better. I also feel like her jewellery is very minimalistic and makes the outfit incomplete. She should add a simple necklace or a small silver chain, along with silver bracelets and small jewellery pieces, to complement the outfit. So, I’m going to say Sabrina Slayed!!!
Now moving on to Tyla, who was dressed in a Vintage Dsqaured2 ‘crystal embellished’ gown featuring a feather train, styled by Ronnie Hart.
Kimaya:
So, let’s just say I’m not in love with Tyla‘s outfit, like at all. Tyla is my queen, but this outfit just DOES NOT complement her at all. I really do not like the way her hair is styled; there are countless amazing Grammy hairstyles, and she had to choose one that gives off a Roblox character. Looking at the dress, I feel it’s too baggy around the torso, overshadowing Tyla’s beautiful shape. And to me, the feathers give expensive carpets, just... no... It‘s certainly not my cup of tea. On the other hand, I really like the gold finishes on the dress. It looks very pretty, but I feel like matching gold with the silver necklace just isn't it, like at all! I personally do not like gold coexisting with silver in an outfit, so I think wearing a gold or diamond necklace is a much better choice. And sadly, coming back to the feathers on Tyla’s dress, even though I do have mixed opinions about them, I do like the way they trail after her; it’s pretty. I also love her heels and the colour, but I do think that they are a bit too simple for this type of dress and are just not right. Overall, I think the outfit's primary colour suits Tyla very well, and I quite like it on her! Now with an expert lens, I’m afraid to say Tyla was outplayed!
Charlie:
Please don’t tell me that this is Tyla. The outfit looks like pyjamas. Sure, the bedazzling necklace frames her face, and the gown’s colour matches her heels (which I lowkey LOVE how it matches), but that’s no excuse for the feathery mess at her feet. And don’t even get me started on the hair. Her beautiful face needs to be seen! I don't want an emo hairstyle with a feathered gown and plush pink! The hairstyle should be playful and fun, such as a messy French twist or a high ponytail. And can I say one thing? Compared to what she usually wears and dresses like, this is CRAZY!!! But I mean, overall, it’s not great, so I’m gonna say outplayed!
Billie Eilish's outfit, designed by Ellen Hodakova Larsson, was definitely the talk of the town for a while. Featuring an upside-down jacket and a tailored skirt, Eilish’s outfit is just pure bewilderment.
Kimaya:
Ok, so this outfit is A LOT. I feel like the more I look at it, the more confusing it becomes, like seriously, set a thirty-second timer and experience the confusion. But even though the dress is confusing, I feel like it all works together and makes sense. I really like her hair; it suits the vibe of her outfit, and since it’s straight and formal, it must be ironed. Get it? And I feel like the black-and-white of the outfit is a safe but effective way to fit into any Grammy theme as a whole. But her outfit is definitely very different from all the browns and beiges worn before by other women. I like the outfit, but if I must chastise something, I feel like her shoes throw me off. Heels with socks are a bold statement and can only be pulled off by a select few, but sadly, I feel like it’s just too much for an overly complicated ensemble. I also can’t tell what the bag is, is it a small purse, or is it a briefcase? I can’t work it out! So, looking at her overall outfit, I’m excited to say, Billie Slayed!
Charlie:
Erm… I absolutely LOVE Billie Eilish, but I have to say I don’t agree. With anything. Let’s just say I’m strongly questioning the upside-down pants as a dress, the sleeves of a shirt around her neck (what would the back look like?), her shoes and socks, and the belts on her wrists. Though I don’t particularly love the fit, I guess it suits her, and the expression suits it. Although you might not agree, the makeup really matches the vibe, and so does the hair. It shows simplicity amid chaos, and I like how she’s not wearing a big necklace or large earrings, so the outfit takes the shine off. It is officially outplayed!!! But I love the confidence, since it is very bold and not something we've seen at the Grammys.
So, Rosé, she’s an icon, and her black-and-white strapless outfit designed by Saint Laurent and styled by Giambattista Valli serves almost as much as her music does; it’s pretty spectacular!
Kimaya:
This dress is so pretty!!! I love the contrast of black and pale beige. I think it really suits Rosé. But I feel like it's way too simple. The only piece of jewellery I can see is a bracelet, and I feel that if Rosé added a sculpted necklace, you know, one of the really cool snake ones, or something of that sort, the outfit would be elevated from elegant to extravagant! The black dress itself could be designed much better. Just imagine the impact the dress would have if the bodice were curved or in a heart shape; I would honestly love to wear that! Conversely, I love her heels; they complement the dress's simple yet elegant aesthetic. I also love how she added stockings to the dress; it gives off a very antique vibe to the whole look. And of course, I can’t end my review without talking about her hair! Drop...dead...gorgeous! I love the curls; they really fit into the antique vibe of the dress, and I feel like it sums up the look in a really nice way. So, I’m going to say this outfit Slayed!
Charlie:
Ok wait. This is lowkey eating. If you can’t tell yet, then I will tell you now. I am a fan of simple. This gives simple and effective. Although I wonder what it looks like from the back. And that raises the question, is the back poofed up too? Or is it just two garbage-sized bags beside her? And I’m sorry to say, after research, there are two garbage-sized bags beside her. With this devastating news, it’s safe to say that I am now on the brink of outplayed. But let’s look at the other aspects. The tight black bodice is cute and contrasts with the bags both in colour and style, and her curly hair ABSOLUTELY suits the outfit, showing off her shoulders and the length of her arms. You can just see the heels, and let’s say I’m not in love with the shape, but I am very picky when it comes to finding the right heel for a dress. Overall, I’m sad to say that today, Rose is outplayed. (only just, don’t worry)
Jon Batiste’s custom hand-sewn crystal outfit took Charlie and me by storm; I mean, it’s so bedazzled! Batiste’s outfit was designed and styled by Ugo Mozie in collaboration with Gogo Hsu.
Kimaya:
So, I have to say this outfit definitely ATE!! I mean, I can’t find a single thing I don’t like about the outfit. I love his shoes. I feel like they are subtle but also have their own shine, and I feel like they complement the busy top in a nice way. And I really like the subtle jewellery Batiste is wearing, again, they have their own shine but still let the blazer take the spotlight. And the blazer, it’s so so so pretty, I love it so much. I feel like there’s a story trying to be displayed with crystals. And through the pearls, gold and shoulder tassels, Mozie and Hsu are communicating that Batiste is a king of something, probably music. And I love how the blazer is a turtleneck. I feel like it gives the whole outfit a very clean and royal aesthetic. I also love how the blazer has black crystals throughout, I feel like that really shines a focus to the top in a really nice way! Overall, I would say this outfit slayed the day away!
Charlie:
I cannot stress how cool this outfit is. His outfit is shutting all plain tux and tie outfits to shame! The bedazzlement is crazy good, the colours contrasting each other PERFECTLY, and the pose is saying, “Yeah, I’m Jon Batiste, so what?”. I just love how it’s a statement that not all men have to wear tuxedos, and that they can find their own style. I love the rings; they match because they are also bedazzled, and I think his hair suits his character, but I’m not sure if it suits the outfit. I feel like a clean sort of look might go well, but I guess it’s hard to change dreadlocks. Overall, this is a slay!!!
Now, of course, we had to save the best for last, Sombr’s crystal custom Valentino suit and tie designed by Alessandro Michele featuring a silver and sequin-embroidered suit paired with a lace shirt.
Kimaya:
It’s giving eighties disco ball... honestly, that’s all I can say. I fully get the vision for the outfit, and I love the commitment, but it’s A LOT for a single outfit. I feel like piling the matching sequin blazer and pants, and a lace top is equivalent to dramatising three outfits in one. It’s too overpowering and won’t work. Starting with the blazer and pants, I really like the shape of the pants, I think it really complements the shoes and commits to an eighties theme. And, come on, his shoes are extremely cool, I mean, look at them! The green somehow matches the sequin, and the pointy shape of the shoes really fits into the eighties theme Sombr has represented through his outfit. Now, the lace top, I am really not a fan of every aspect of the top. I feel like the lace is very overpowering and does not fit with the outfit and the cut in the middle. Why is there a cut in the middle? It’s just way too much for one outfit! But honestly, I feel like it’s insane magic, but somehow Sombr pulled it off in some way. But overall, looking at the whole outfit, I’m afraid to say Sombr was outplayed!
Charlie:
Sombr, you have no idea how sad your outfit made me. Not just the outfit, the pose and your signature look. I can’t look at your suit anymore because the light reflecting back is too bright, and I also don’t need to see your stomach. Not today, not ever. I wanna say, starting from the top of your outfit, the neckline does NOT suit your jawline, and I would take a white collared shirt over a lace one any day. The silver at least matches the whole outfit, but you didn’t put much effort into the pose. Hands on hips, displaying the exposing shirt? Really? Sombr, you can do so much better. (I still like his shoes, though, and I’m glad he didn’t change his hair). I’m not sorry to say, you are definitely outplayed. That outfit HAS to go.
For women, it is believed ‘the bolder, the better’ but since when?
I’m sure you have watched Dua Lipa’s video, where she is at the Golden Globes and attempts to sit on her chair normally, but can’t because of her restrictive dress. Some fashion publications called her outfit ‘breathtaking’ and ‘notable’, whilst some opinion reviews stated her outfit was ‘not cohesive’ and put it in the ‘worst dressed list’.
Every year, so many women go over the top to create insane outfits that they can’t do anything in and can never wear again! Imagine Sabrina Carpenter strolling around a grocery store in her Grammy outfit. It’s not feasible. And I know I’ve heard so many people say that ‘rich never wear their outfits twice’, but it shouldn’t be like that. Because of society’s expectations on women’s outfits at these prestigious award events, much clothing is wasted, and much blame is put on women for these environmental results.
Because think about it, a man could wear the same suit for every event, and no one would really notice or criticise him for it, but a woman could wear the same outfit twice and receive LOTS of hate from the media.
But times are changing, and now men are showing up to award events in glittery and glamorous outfits. Jon Batiste and Sombr are leading examples of equality in fashion as they did not stick to the ‘black tie’ standard of men and spent thousands to create very unique outfits. And I praise them for that!
Bibliography:
Vogue 2026 Grammys Catalogue:
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