MTV VMAs: The style hits and misses

Style verdict ... Rita Ora, Emma Watson and Rihanna get the fashion critics talking at the VMAs

ROMANCE and glamour were the style watchwords at the MTV Video Music Awards - with lashings of lace and sequins seen on the red carpet.

Stars from Rita Ora to Nicki Minaj attended the annual music bash and got their girly groove on in heavily embellished outfits.
First up at the Los Angeles gong fest - and flying the flag for British style - were The Saturdays.
Looking sophisticated but just a tiny bit too matchy-matchy the girls worked a nude palette.

British style ... The Saturdays make a demure red carpet debut in LA

Special style points go to newlywed Rochelle Wiseman in a stunning yet understated cream gown with cute capped sleeves.
Also sticking to the mantra of less is more was (surprise, surprise) Taylor Swift.
The Romeo and Juliet singer looked simply chic in a white tuxedo and diamond jewellery.

A bit of all white ... Taylor Swift and Rihanna prove less is more

Rihanna was a bit of all white too - turning heads with an elfin cropped hairdo and sultry backless gown.
We love the deconstructed ties at the waist and shoulders of her dress.

Unflattering ... Rihanna gets it wrong in bonkers red get-up

What a shame then that most people will remember the star for her dodgy stage get-up on the night.
Red chiffon, leather trousers and security guard lace-ups are not the most flattering choices.
Thank goodness for Emma Watson - looking more quirky than berky in a stunning Peter Pilotto beaded gown.

Colourful ... Emma Watson chose a quirky beaded gown

The Harry Potter star proved yet again that she's one of the best dressed stars in the biz - and that eye-catching doesn't have to mean eye-watering.
Fellow Brit Rita Ora also rocked an embellished outfit but sadly said RIP to style points.
Her sexily plunging Emilio Pucci jumpsuit missed the fashion mark and left her looking like a Pearly Queen.

Pearly queen ... Rita Ora practises her Lambeth Walk in ill-judged jumpsuit

Mercifully the How We Do singer changed to present an award on stage - and we adore her fitted white gown with retro feather trim.

Retro ... Rita Ora channels 1940s glam on stage with Demi Lovato

One of the best dressed ladies of the night was Miley Cyrus.
She showed that edgy can still be ultra feminine in a stunning plunging black dress with cutaway panels and a long train.

Flawless ... Miley Cyrus wears an elegant plunging gown

And even Nicki Minaj pulled a corker out of the bag in a Versace jumpsuit that we should hate but actually heart.
On anybody else, this lace and red sequin look would be ludicrous but she pulls it off with bags of confidence and a little help from those incredible curves.

Curves ... Nicki Minaj rocks a cheeky Versace jumpsuit

But Wide Awake star Katy Perry got caught napping in a truly terrible floor-length gown by Elie Saab.
From that hideous leather bow to the unflattering peekaboo skirt, this dress is close to the worst thing we've seen on an A-list star this year.

Style miss ... Katy Perry wore the worst dress of the night

Also choosing black but getting the look oh-so right were starlets Demi Lovato and Ke$ha.
Both stars made the most of the night's lace and sequin trend although we prefer Demi's red lippy and healthy glow to Ke$ha's nude make-up look.

Little black dresses ... Demi Lovato and Ke$ha prove the devil is in the details

Pregnant Amber Rose also chose nude make-up - and looked anything but ma-vellous as a result.
But despite her AWOL eyebrows, we give her the style thumbs-up as this high-necked lace creation was a perfect choice for the expectant mum.

Expecting ... Amber Rose poses with fiance Wiz Khalifa

Finally it was a tale of two ways to wear metallic as Alicia Keys and Pink clashed on the red carpet.
But where Alicia showed that a badly-cut gown can be the death of a girl - one-shoulder AND a slashed skirt is just plain wrong - Pink looked delicious in pewter sequins. Bravo.

Metallic ... Alicia Keys and Pink choose pewter gowns