We did not know that any host country could fumble the Turquoise Carpet as hard as Sweden fumbled it on Sunday. The organizing delegation cited security reasons for having the livestreamed interviews take place indoors in a controlled area, but that does not explain or excuse the poor content that we received. It was a lot of looped stock footage of Malmö, interspersed with 60-second interviews from static camera angles. We did not get to see the artists’ entrances or hear snippets of their songs or generally get a good look at their outfits, and it was disappointing. BUT ANYWAYS… It’s okay. We will live.

While the event itself was lackluster, the outfits did not disappoint! Here are the highlights:

Group Fits

It is always fun seeing the full group ensembles for different entries, whether they are competing as a band or as a solo act with their backing vocalists or dancers. Megara, 5MIINUST x Puuluup, and Baby Lasagna all had fun with their outfits while maintaining a strong continuity with their stage performances – whether keeping to their color scheme, bringing their instruments along, or wearing their lace balaclavas. Meanwhile, iolanda and her group intentionally stepped away from their white stage outfits to make a subtle political statement by wearing the Palestinian clothing design brand, Trashy Clothing.

However, we did think that some groups were outdone by their own backing dancers and vocalists, with Czechia’s back up dancers and one of Iceland’s backing vocalists having some of the best fits of the carpet:

So Much Denim!

It seems like Windows95man has started a trend amongst the contestants. Never have we seen a Eurovision with so much denim.

Nails

Some participants decided to bare their claws to the competition! By which we mean they showed off their impeccable nails.

Best Eye Makeup

As always, many of the contestant’s outfits were elevated by excellent makeup! We love rhinestones, fun shapes, and some seriously well done smoky eyes.

Best Accessories

Sunglasses – Even though it was a cloudy day in Malmö, some artists opted to adorn their eyes with these fun shades!

Coats – A couple of acts sported some eye-catching outerwear. (Though we aren’t sure Kaleen of Austria is wearing anything under that leather coat). Electric Field’s Zaachariaha wore a luxurious coat the he designed and made himself using his professional visual artist skills. Silvester Belt brings bit of sci-fi mad scientist with the long glittery white overcoat. And we expected nothing less from Angelina Mango, the queen of patterns.

Unexpected Accessories – Some contestants arrived adorned with some unexpected embellishments. Ukraine’s entry decked themselves out with house keys to represent displaced Ukrainians who can no longer return to their homes due to the war. Meanwhile, the vocal powerhouse of Windows95man’s entry, Henri, wore finger jorts. And the fact that those two sentences can exist side by side is why we love Eurovision.

Other Accessories – Hats, Canes, Spikes, and… People?
Meanwhile, some groups seemed to add their backup dancers to enhance their other accessories. Nebulossa brought a lovely hat, cane, and… chains attached to their dancers’ neck collars? Another note about Nebulossa’s dancers, their outfit seems to have accents of fox fur, a nod to their song “Zorra.”

Malta’s Sarah Bonnici brought a large hat covered in spikes to match her equally spiky purse and dress. And we can’t help but think that the unsmiling, lightly clothed backup dancers constantly at her side are another type of accessory.

What is going on?

Not every outfit knocked it out of the park for us, in fact a couple left us scratching our heads in confusion (with a negative connotation). Belgium’s Mustii looks to us like a toddler who has gotten into some gold finger paint. And we really do not know what the UK’s Olly Alexander was going for with this rags-from-the-dumpster look.

Serving Cuteness

Before we get to our Best Dressed and Queens categories, we’d like to insert a few of the cutest photos that we had to share. First, we have loved how supportive Marina Zatti’s backup dancers always are, and this photo encapsulates that energy. Secondly, though we didn’t love Serbia’s Teya Dora’s outfit, she looks so cute in this photo we almost changed our minds 😂 Next, Luxembourg’s Tali simply looks radiant. And lastly, the internet has decided that this look from Croatia’s Baby Lasagna is giving cute “Grandma-core” and we agree.

Queens

Saba from Denmark serving immaculate style and vibes from shades to the braids to the mesh undershirt. We thoroughly enjoyed this outfit. An interviewer on the carpet asked “What inspired your outfit?” to which Saba responded “Peace” and did not elaborate further.

A departure from their stage outfits, Ladaniva chose classy black fits with traditional Armenian accents. Though she might have dressed somberly, that couldn’t tamper Jaklin’s energy – all of her pictures show her in motion.

Meanwhile, Gunhilde from Gåte looks like a literal queen. Such a serve. The group ensemble really gives Queen of the Pirates and her crew. The hair, the skirts, the silver and blue jewelry, the giant neck ruffles. We would change nothing and we want nothing else. (Norway’s contestant last year, Alessandra came with her song “Queen of the Kings” and also was a queen, and these outfits really seem like the sequel to that. You know, after the protagonist has gone through their villain arc, grabbed power, and now she rules with her band of outlaws.) We would read fanfiction based on this look. It’s perfect for us and perfect for Gåte.

Best Dressed

We still don’t know what material Bambie Thug’s dress is made out of – is it plastic? Melted wax? Paint splatters? It doesn’t matter, because they look incredible in it. This year’s ruler of all things goth, Bambie Thug brought “Doomsday Blue” to the turquoise carpet and we can’t get enough of them.

U&C’s Best Dressed award goes to Nutsa from Georgia. The cape, the boots, the rhinestones, the hat – Nutsa is looking gorgeous and classic in bright red, with a red lip to match. She even matches the Georgian flag. We think she looks spectacular and so Fashion.

BUT WAIT… WHAT’S THAT? It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s…

WINDOWS95MAN!

Windows95man is the REAL winner of the Turquoise Carpet this year. No one could beat that entrance. We love the commitment, the snazzy color block shirts that say “No Rules” on the backing dancers, the fog machine, the shades, the giant wearable jean egg. *chef’s kiss* “No Rules” and no notes.

Last but not least, a meme for making it to the end:

Jerry Heil and alyona alyona from Ukraine brought an Easter basket for Orthodox Easter, complete with real eggs. And of course Windows95man’s amazing denim “jegg” (in its travel size) made for quite the entrance.