Fashion

Katy Perry, Dust Off Your Mirror, Maybe?

by Mary Avant

It's become a universally accepted fact that this year's Grammys red carpet was a little lackluster, thanks to safe (but beautiful) metallic gowns and the notable absence of spectacle-making singers like Rihanna, Miley Cyrus, and Lady Gaga. But the night's boring fashion was by no means Katy Perry's fault. Whether you loved or hated her straight-off-the-runway Valentino Couture gown — you know which side of that argument we fall on — the musical note–adorned number was just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the pop star’s questionable style choices of late.

Just hours after strutting her stuff in the tulle-filled gown and giving a bewitching live performance, the California girl changed into a baby blue, iridescently sequined gown that left us totally unenthused. Though she somehow made plenty of after party best-dressed lists — partially due to the fact that, aside from Kate Beckinsale and Chrissy Teigen, there were few stars truly in contention — we were left questioning whether Perry really knows the fabrics and shapes that work for her beautiful body. While possibly pretty on its own, this Giorgio Armani gown does the pop princess no favors, making her look way too top heavy, thanks in part to the not-so-supportive halter top and her massive braided bun.

Valerie Macon/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images

But wait: It gets worse. Failing to showing off her stunning figure once again, Perry arrived at yesterday’s Grammy Salute to The Beatles event wearing a massive Dolce & Gabbana floral-print mumu. The tent of a gown had everyone questioning which household item — curtains or an upholstered sofa — was the inspiration for the outfit, while we were simply left thinking that the star had suddenly lost her style mind.

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Perhaps the strongest evidence that Perry has been off her A-game this week comes from the fact that the burgundy Valentino number she changed into post-Grammys performance — a dress eerily reminiscent of the famed Björk disaster of Oscars past — was by far her best look of the week.

Though it used to be a given that the pop star would hit the red carpet wearing a wacky outfit or making a poor fashion choice, it seems like Perry has cleaned up her act for the most part since shacking up with playboy John Mayer. Maybe we’ve just gotten so accustomed to her more refined looks — like this orange Alexander McQueen gown and this beautiful beaded dress — that her not-on-point style choices leave us feeling more let down than we used to. By no means are we saying she should bring back her Smurfette dresses or kimono-inspired minidresses; we just want her to be perfect all the time. Is that really too much to ask?