‘Day Drinker’ Star Madelyn Cline’s Iconic VMAs Look Still Has Fans Declaring It Untouchable

Every awards season, fans love revisiting their favorite red carpet moments, and the MTV Video Music Awards are especially good at stirring up nostalgia. That’s exactly why Madelyn Cline’s VMAs look is trending again, years after she first stepped onto the carpet. The VMAs have long been where musical artists of all genres dress in unconventional, avant-garde ways, making standout moments all the more memorable.

Cline had already built a reputation as a style star before that night. She landed her breakout role as Sarah Cameron on Netflix’s ‘Outer Banks’ in 2020, and quickly established herself on the step and repeat with refined silhouettes and plenty of sequins and sparkle. The Charleston native brings an all-American spirit to her red carpet choices while also working with major European houses like Givenchy, Armani, and Stella McCartney.

As this year’s VMAs took over the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, one fan account made its stance crystal clear. Posting on X under the handle @madelync1ine, the account wished followers a happy VMA day and declared that Cline’s crown for best look of all time remains intact, adding that she can simply never be outdone.

The post shared 2 photos of the actress on the pink carpet. The images show her in a soft peach gown with a draped satin bodice, a sheer floor-length skirt, and a subtle train, her blonde hair styled in loose, face-framing waves.

The look in question dates back to the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards, held on September 12 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, where Cline arrived wearing Givenchy. W Magazine described it as her take on the lingerie red carpet trend, pairing a fitted corset with a see-through skirt.

happy vma day to madelyn cline whose crown remains in tact for best look of all time she can simply never be outdone https://t.co/NeAwucdnnn

— ★ (@madelync1ine) September 27, 2026

Style writers praised the design for its layers and texture. One review noted that she looked airy, graceful, and like a goddess while still looking natural, crediting the look to custom Givenchy.

The soft peach tone, the drape of the satin and the airy skirt all combined for a look that feels timeless rather than trendy. On a carpet that often rewards spectacle, it stood out for its quiet grace.

That VMAs gown remains just one highlight in a growing fashion résumé. Cline showed off an edgier side in a black leather cut-out asymmetrical Givenchy dress at the brand’s Spring/Summer 2024 show in Paris. She also wore a sleek custom Stella McCartney gown with silver tassels to the 2023 Met Gala.

DIVA! Madelyn Cline at the pink carpet for #VMA pic.twitter.com/JVBun9D8hV

— Madelyn Cline Content (@madelyncontent) September 12, 2023

More recently, she turned heads at the NFL Honors in February, wearing a turquoise Christopher Esber Ripple Drape Gown with an exceptionally plunging neckline. She kept the styling minimal, pairing it with sculptural Kinraden earrings.

Style watchers have noted that while she usually avoids patterns and prints, she isn’t afraid to make a statement with exposed lingerie details or daring cut-outs. That fearlessness is exactly what made her VMAs moment so memorable.

Cline’s career has kept her in the spotlight too. She attended the ‘Outer Banks’ Season 5 premiere in a Siedres two-tone draped chiffon gown, and she’s also set to star in ‘Day Drinker’, a supernatural revenge thriller alongside Johnny Depp and Penélope Cruz.

Madelyn Cline attends the #VMA pic.twitter.com/Tbbb24tlf9

— katie (@madelynflorals) September 13, 2023

With a busy slate ahead, there’s no shortage of future red carpets where she could try to top herself. For now, though, her devoted fans seem convinced that the peach Givenchy moment will never be beaten.

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