The rag mag culture of the '90s and noughties had us all in a drunken stupor thinking that berating celebrities over their appearances was normal and acceptable. More than two decades later, the dregs of that culture still exist in the form of 'worst dressed lists', which seem to do the rounds after any major awards show. This week it was the National Television Awards (NTAs).
Of course, these are not lists you secretly pull together in your head or ones you might share in a trusted, end-to-end encrypted WhatsApp group, but carefully curated catalogues published by national media outlets for the world to see. The intention, or so it seems, is to name, shame and lampoon the unlucky celebrities for their 'fashion flops' and exert superiority.
They were first started in 1960 by fashion critic Richard Blackwell when his notorious 'Ten Worst-Dressed Women List' became an annual event in the newspaper, American Weekly. More than 60 years later, we don't seem to have come very far.
Unsurprisingly, the victims of this bloodsport are almost always women. It's not enough for internet trolls to tear them down in the comments section, sometimes reporters want to get involved too. While they are often packaged as light-hearted fun, worst dressed lists are inherently misogynistic and mean-spirited, but that's not even the biggest issue. Where does the audacity come from? Do those involved have side hustles as heads of world leading fashion houses? If not, who told them they have the objective credentials to define what best and worst dressed even means?
Take one 'worst dressed list' from the NTAs, which has (one of the most stylish Love Islanders in history) Tasha Ghouri down, as well as fellow reality star Olivia Hawkins who was accused of having 'tacky jewels' on her dress. _This Morning_presenter Josie Gibson made it on there because she looked 'uncomfortable' in her (chic, monochrome) dress, meanwhile Brooke Vincent was listed because she's 'usually known for her glam style, but kept things low-key'. And, surprise surprise, the list only features one man.
In 2025, is this really in the public interest? Isn't it much more interesting and inspiring to see 'best dressed lists' if any ranked lists at all? Do we really take pleasure in publicly embarrassing people for looks that probably took a team of stylists and make-up artists and hours of work in a hotel room to pull together? If so we should take a long hard look at ourselves – and our own wardrobes for that matter.
There is a reason channels like E! News – famed for segments like Fashion Police, where Joan Rivers would slate or celebrate (usually the former) different red carpet looks – have been cancelled after 34 years. The appetite for women-bashing, cruel comparisons and take downs is dwindling; we all know better by now. While social media certainly puts more power in the audience's hands, mainstream media is still responsible for setting the tone and telling readers what they should think and care about. Why does that have to include the 'worst dressed'? Here are some alternatives I'd rather read: Smallest Shoes List, Strangest Item In Pocket List, Loudest Sock List, Most Unexpected Tattoo List, Best Snacks In Bag List.
This might be a pipe dream for a future utopia, but wouldn't it be nice if we could just let people get dressed and enjoy their evening without ruining it the next day? We're holding out hope regardless.
Nikki Peach is a writer at Grazia UK, working across entertainment, TV and news. She has also written for the i, i-D and the New Statesman Media Group and covers all things pop culture for Grazia (treating high and lowbrow with equal respect).