The biggest shock at this year’s American Music Awards wasn’t the on-stage performances or the winners, it was the fashion.

While music awards shows have garnered a reputation for their shocking (and typically, not in a good way) fashion, this year’s red carpet was full of style surprises (the good kind). The fashion hits abounded and the misses were few and far between — check them out here.

But the real shock was the night’s biggest trend: Glamour with a capital “G.” Even music’s most notorious fashion shockers (ahem, Nikki Minaj and Pink) went glam, mixing up their usual red carpet costumes for elegant, eye-catching gowns.

Going along with the night’s underlying sartorial theme, stars sparkled in perhaps the most glamorous shade of all — gold. Among them: the gilded mini dresses worn by Heidi Klum , the floaty (short!) frock donned by Taylor Swift and the sleek column gown worn by Elisha Cuthbert.

Heidi Klum

With a body like that, the model mogul would look good in anything!

Taylor Swift

Finally! The “Red” singer shows off those mile-long legs in a gold-embellished Zuhair Murad frock with sheer sleeves.

Carrie Underwood

A perfect 10, Underwood’s shimmery plum Abed Mahfouz gown was a more sophisticated style than the short glittery numbers she normally dons — and she’s never looked better!

Kerry Washington

The color of Washington’s yellow lace Stella McCartney gown flattered her skin tone and stood out from the parade of metallics. We love that she contrasted the sunny hue with tangerine heels.

Elisha Cuthbert

Cuthbert went for a sleek, modern take on the trend in a strapless column stunner, slicked back hair and simple drops.

Gwen Stefani

Bold? Yes. But Stefani has learned how to give her sometimes costume-y ensembles a sophisticated edge, taming her bejeweled Balmain boyfriend jacket with sleek black pieces, glam waves and her signature red pout.

Pink

Though in the past she’s been known for showing some serious skin on the red carpet, Pink showed off her sophisticated side in a bronzed Catherine Deane gown with laser-cut detailing along the bodice. A fashion-forward pompadour and elegant drops finished off her look.

Stacy Keibler

Keibler’s metallic Collette Dinnigan mini dress works thanks to its simple silhouette and high neckline.

Carly Rae Jepsen

The “Call Me Maybe” singer’s confetti-like halter-neck gown by Gomez-Garcia was fresh and feminine yet eye-catching. Letting the glittery gown do all the talking, Jepsen stuck to minimal extras but grounded the sparkle explosion with a gold Edie Parker clutch.

Nikki Minaj

Minaj shocked on the red carpet — but this time for all the right reasons. Her electric Monique Lhuillier gown and statement necklace were an elegant departure from her usual costume-like looks.

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