This Is What The 1998 MTV VMAs Looked Like

Never forget Rose McGowan's sheer mesh black dress.

It doesn’t get more ’90s than the 1998 MTV Video Music Awards.

The awards show, which took place in Los Angeles, was the gift that just kept giving: Gwen Stefani showed up in a fuzzy blue bra, hoop skirt and platform flip-flops; Sarah Michelle Gellar and Alyson Hannigan served up some Buffy and Willow realness; Mariah Carey shared a diva moment with Whitney Houston.

That year, Rose McGowan, then dating Marilyn Manson, also walked the carpet in her ultra-sheer, black beaded dress that left nothing to the imagination. McGowan, one of the most outspoken voices of the Me Too movement, said the dress ― widely considered one of the VMAs most memorable looks ― was actually meant to be a silent protest against Hollywood and Harvey Weinstein.

“That was my first public appearance after being sexually assaulted. I was like, ‘Is this what you want?’” McGowan told Dr. Oz earlier this year. “I’ve never worn something like that before or since. That was a political statement. Of course, there was no Twitter at the time or Instagram, no way to speak for yourself.”

See more top fashion moments from the 1998 VMAs below:

Kate Hudson
Frank Trapper via Getty Images
Peter Gun and Shaquille O'Neal
Ron Galella via Getty Images
Usher
Ron Galella via Getty Images
Darren Hayes of Savage Garden and then-wife Colby Taylor
Ron Galella via Getty Images
Carson Daly and Jennifer Love Hewitt
Ron Galella via Getty Images
Mike Dirnt, Billie Joe Armstrong and Tre Cool of Green Day
Ron Galella via Getty Images
K-Ci & JoJo
Ron Galella via Getty Images
Tyra Banks
Frank Trapper via Getty Images
Adrian Young, Gabrial McNair, Gwen Stefani, Tony Kanal, Stephen Bradley and Tom Dumont of No Doubt
Ron Galella via Getty Images
Ben Folds and Robert Sledge of Ben Folds Five
Ron Galella, Ltd. via Getty Images
Mark Wahlberg and Jennifer Lopez
Ron Galella, Ltd. via Getty Images
Brian Littrell, Nick Carter, Kevin Richardson, Howie Dorough and A.J. McLean of The Backstreet Boys
Ron Galella via Getty Images
Brian Setzer
Ron Galella, Ltd. via Getty Images
Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston
Ron Galella, Ltd. via Getty Images
Butch Vig, Steve Marker, Shirley Manson and Duke Erikson of Garbage
Ron Galella, Ltd. via Getty Images
Taylor Hanson, Zac Hanson, Isaac Hanson of Hanson
Ron Galella, Ltd. via Getty Images
Tatyana Ali
Ron Galella, Ltd. via Getty Images
Madonna
Jeff Kravitz via Getty Images
Trey Parker and Matt Stone
Time & Life Pictures via Getty Images
Salma Hayek
Brenda Chase via Getty Images
Mya
Ron Galella via Getty Images
Marilyn Manson with then-girlfriend Rose McGowan
Mirek Towski via Getty Images
Jackie Chan
Ron Galella, Ltd. via Getty Images
Monica and Brandy
Jeff Kravitz via Getty Images
Alyson Hannigan and Sarah Michelle Gellar
Brenda Chase via Getty Images
Aerosmith
Brenda Chase via Getty Images

Before You Go

David Coverdale of Whitesnake with girlfriend Tawny Kitaen

MTV VMAs 1987

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