It’s not an awards show if folks don’t show up in something sparkly and spangly and shiny, and it used to be the case that it wasn’t the VMAs without Taylor Swift. Luckily, both of those truisms held tight this year. All that, plus I have some theories about an SNL star that I finally had some time to indulge, one random Real Housewife, and a really good dress that also…has no sides? Well, yes. I’m sorry, but it’s true.

[Photos: Matt Baron/BEImages/Shutterstock, Broadimage/Shutterstock, Stephen Lovekin/Shutterstock, Evan Agostini/Invision/AP/Shutterstock, Cindy Ord/WireImage]