Sometimes you look at what passes for “fashion” on the red carpet at an event like the VMAs, and you wonder just where they got their inspiration from.

Well fear not, because we reckon we’ve solved the thought processes behind AT LEAST (OK, exactly) 11 outfits at this year’s awards. And they all stem from some pretty mundane stuff.

1. Serayah: Lots and lots of shredded paper

Shredded paper Serayah
(Jordan Strauss/Invision/Peat Bakke/Flickr)

2. Miley Cyrus: Those fun balloons you get on special birthdays

Miley Cyrus birthday balloons
(Richard Shotwell/Invision/Bob Garland/Flickr)

3. Ciara: Hair extensions… for her shoes?!

Ciara shoe hair extensions
(Jordan Strauss/Invision/Jean-Paul P.G./Flickr)

4. Ciara (again): Chopsticks – to hold her neckline together

Ciara chopstick neck
(Jordan Strauss/Invision/i_yudai/Flickr)

5. Jeremy Scott: A TV set in the middle of calibrating

Jeremy Scott calibrating TV
(Jordan Strauss/Invision/Ryan/Flickr)

6. Miley Cyrus (again): The phrase “belt and braces”… and nothing else

Miley Cyrus and braces
(Matt Sayles/Invision/marco monetti/Flickr)

7. Aubrey O’Day: A lampshade fit for a sexy boudoir

Aubrey O'Day lampshade
(Matt Sayles/Invision/r. nial bradshaw/Flickr)

8. Todrick Hall: A strawberry milkshake – with bits in!

Todrick Hall milkshake
(Matt Sayles/Invision/Dicemanic/Flickr)

9. Stella Maxwell: An inner-city underpass

Underpass Stella Maxwell skirt
(Matt Sayles/Invision/Grey World/Flickr)

10. Hailee Steinfeld: One of those posh pillow cases – like the ones you get in John Lewis for £40

Haille Steinfeld pillow case
(Jordan Strauss/Invision/Didriks/Flickr)

11. Miley Cyrus (for the final time): One of those colour swatches for paint

Colour swatches Miley Cyrus
(Matt Sayles/Invision/Leon Brocard/Flickr)

But if anyone’s got any idea about the origins of this look – please get in touch!

Z Lala
(Matt Sayles/Invision)