Billboard's 2026 Women In Music Event Was Full Of Summer Outfit Inspiration

The 2026 Billboard Women in Music event saw a lot of fantastic looks. Attendees took to the red carpet in a variety of jaw-dropping garments that met the moment perfectly — a scene that was quite different from the worst-dressed celebs at the 2026 Grammys. Billboard's Women in Music show took place on April 29, still technically springtime, but judging from the night's many ultra-revealing looks, everyone was dreaming of summer. 

From Teyana Taylor (who received the Visionary Award that night) and her corseted Ashi Studio gown, to Keke Palmer's daring Monse dress made of glittering chains, couture was having its moment on Billboard's 2026 Women in Music red carpet. However, there were also a variety of more low-key looks that can provide ample inspiration for your summer wardrobe. This season, we're predicting mesh tops, beaded garments, and festival-ready pieces will make a comeback, all options that you can pair with some of the biggest summer 2026 pedicure trends for the perfect look from head to toe. Here are some of the best 2026 Billboard Women in Music outfits that belong in your summer look book.

Zara Larsson's "Midnight Sun" era has seen her wear plenty of bright colors, and her dress at the Billboard's 2026 Women in Music event was no exception. The "Girl's Girl" singer wore a brightly-colored vintage Versace dress covered in floral designs. We're obsessed with Larsson's unique combination of chartreuse, lavender, and blue — it's unexpected, yet so right for summertime. While the concept of bold colors for summer isn't exactly groundbreaking, Larsson's unorthodox color palette is a great way to spice up your look beyond typical summer-ready pinks and oranges.

While whimsical beaded jewelry can add a bit of fun to your warm weather accessorizing, Mariah the Scientist went all-in with a top made from large wooden beads. The singer walked the red carpet in a LaQuan Smith Spring 2026 dress with a plunging neckline. While the sleeves were a bit too long on Mariah, we can still take inspiration from the unique top half of her dress. This summer, add a bit of risqué contrast to your 'fit with a sheer beaded top.

While dark wash jeans were one of the biggest denim trends of 2024, it looks like we may be going back to a Y2K light wash for summer 2026. Actor and singer Kylie Cantrall looked surprisingly casual (yet equally as stylish) on the 2026 Billboard Women in Music red carpet. It was only fitting that the "Denim" singer rocked denim-on-denim with a pair of retro flared jeans and matching cropped jacket. We're going to follow Cantrall's lead by trying out some light wash denim this summer.

Knitted and crocheted skullcaps were one of summer 2025's micro-trends, but Slayyyter proved that they're here to stay in summer 2026. The "Troubled Paradise" singer went a bit overboard with the accessories on the Billboard Women in Music red carpet, but we love her sort of bridal white crocheted skullcap. Compared to the smaller skullcaps typically seen in 2025, Slayyyter's is almost oversized. Between Slayyyter's skullcap and Kylie Cantrall's flared jeans, it's safe to say that '70s fashion will return to the mainstream yet again this summer.

There are many formal and casual ways to style your favorite little black dress, and trio PRELUDE showed us a few for summer 2026. PRELUDE members Emily Kelavos, Lexie Levin, and Samara Siqueira all wore slightly different takes on the classic LBD. Kelavos wore a micro mini dress with a thin black scarf worn backwards, Levin took a sexier approach with a plunging neckline and exposed hips, and Siqueira opted for a comparatively more formal sleeveless LBD with a wrapped skirt and sheer black tights. 

Even though Laufey was one of the worst-dressed stars at "The Devil Wears Prada 2" premiere, she redeemed herself at Billboard's Women in Music 2026. The singer-songwriter stunned in a sheer Chloe gown with several thin layers of white ruffles concentrated at the hem. While Laufey's dress has a vintage vibe with its ruffled collar, it's been modernized with a gauzy, see-through base and exposed back. Mixing a feminine silhouette with a little edge is undoubtedly cool, so we hope to see many more sheer dresses this summer.

Even though Coachella just ended, Tyla kept the festival vibes going in an over-the-top gown and glowy glam that would fit right in with the best celeb beauty moments from Coachella 2026. The "Water" singer wore a custom Javier Collazo gown made from brown, white, and gray feathers, which featured daring side cut-outs, a full slit, and a completely exposed back. If you want to channel Tyla's vibe in a less dramatic fashion, try a backless slip dress, one of most versatile trends of the summer.