Fashion Mostly Noted For Its Absence At VMAs

The clothes that had everyone talking at MTV’s Video Music Awards were mostly notable for their absence.

Miley Cyrus appeared on stage in a revealing leotard, then stripped down to a nude bikini to twerk for Robin Thicke, a protruding tongue her most prominent accessory. Lady Gaga started out in a modified nun habit before stripping to a Birth of Venus-inspired clamshell-bra bikini.

Photo: Charles Sykes/Invision/AP

Performing with Robin Thicke at the MTV VMAs at the Barclays Center, Brooklyn, N.Y.

On the red carpet, though, skin was revealed a little more strategically. Even Gaga’s Prabal Gurung gown, made of lame bonded satin, had a sweetheart neckline and sweet rosettes. Katy Perry flashed a lot of leg in a leopard-print Emanuel Ungaro, along with a grill that said “Roar,” promoting her new single.

Taylor Swift wore an Herve Leger gown with a plunging neckline in elegant navy that matched good friend Selena Gomez – who showed some leg and seemingly half a bra in her custom Versace dress. Rita Ora had a feathered train so long she needed help carrying her gown by Alexandre Vauthier, but still flashed plenty of leg.

Photo: Evan Agostini/Invision/AP

Arriving at the MTV Video Music Awards at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y.

Among the men, Video Vanguard award winner Justin Timberlake wore a suit – but no tie. It was a look Robin Thicke also chose for the red carpet, before changing into a striped zoot suit for his performance.

Macklemore – the night’s other big winner with Ryan Lewis – wore a powder blue suit and fur. (No word if it came from a thrift shop.)