Victoria's Secret faced criticism over the angel wings and styling at its 2026 Fashion Show, with viewers calling some runway looks 'cheap' and questioning the spectacle's glamour. The show took place in Los Angeles on Sunday, 18 October 2026, with Bella Hadid opening the runway and Adriana Lima among the returning Angels.
Although models including Gigi Hadid, Candice Swanepoel and Alessandra Ambrosio appeared in elaborate lingerie, some viewers said the costumes fell short of earlier productions. The complaints emerged even as Kylie Jenner wore the returning diamond-covered Fantasy Bra during her runway debut.
Online reactions were divided rather than uniformly negative, with several wings and musical performances earning praise. Much of the criticism focused on particular outfits, oversized accessories and changing expectations of the Victoria's Secret runway.
Why Did Viewers Call the Victoria's Secret Looks 'Cheap'?
'Unpopular opinion. Everything looks cheap. Where are the diamonds?!?' one viewer wrote during the show. Another said a runway look appeared 'so cheap compared to what they used to have', reflecting frustration among commenters who remembered more extravagant editions.
Criticism became especially pointed beneath photographs of Alessandra Ambrosio's outfit. One viewer likened part of the look to a 'giant shower cap', while another compared it to a fitted sheet.
@victoriassecret It's her 20th walk down the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show runway and it shows. @Alessandra Ambrosio is a PRO ANGEL and we're taking notes. #vsfashionshow #victoriassecret ♬ original sound - Victoria's Secret
Other commenters criticised the PINK segment and the styling of layered lingerie and accessories. One joked, 'Why are we layering the buy three get three?' while another said the show lacked its former glamour. Their complaints centred on particular creative choices rather than the models themselves.
Quenlin Blackwell walks for pink at the 2026 Victoria secret fashion show pic.twitter.com/NFWqnWDPzz
— M_ttamara (@M_ttamara) October 19, 2026
Angel Wings Divide Viewers at Victoria's Secret
The wings attracted their own criticism from viewers questioning how widely the signature accessory was being used. One commenter argued that giving wings to so many participants had left some designs looking 'extremely tacky'. The reaction reflected nostalgia for when wings were more closely associated with the brand's established Angels.
Country singer Megan Moroney's oversized pink wings also drew attention during her performance. One viewer said they blocked the view of models passing behind her on the runway. Others questioned why performers were wearing wings instead of leaving the accessory to the models.
Comment
by u/nizaad from discussion
in popculturechat
Not everyone disliked the designs. Canadian singer Tate McRae's flowing wings received compliments, while other viewers praised the gold-wing segment and singled out Elsa Hosk's look. Those reactions showed that the response varied considerably from one outfit to another.
Kylie Jenner Wears the Returning Fantasy Bra
Victoria's Secret revived the Fantasy Bra for the first time since 2018, collaborating with jewellery house Jacob & Co. on the design. Jenner, the Kylie Cosmetics founder and reality television personality, wore the diamond-covered creation during her fashion show debut. The brand said the design was developed to move with the body despite being made from precious metal and diamonds.
Victoria Secret truly out of creativity. Most expensive and yet the most basic. And a kardashian/jenner to cheapen it more https://t.co/1gLN55Uk7N
— ⋆⭒˚｡⋆ Yosy ⋆⭒˚｡⋆ (@GreyMurdock) October 19, 2026
Its appearance contrasted with online questions about where the diamonds had gone. The runway featured a mix of returning supermodels and newer faces, accompanied by performances from Megan Thee Stallion, KATSEYE, McRae and Moroney. Some viewers singled out Megan Thee Stallion's appearance as a highlight and celebrated the walks of Swanepoel and Anok Yai.
Others maintained that strong individual moments could not make up for disappointing styling. The event was the third edition since Victoria's Secret revived its fashion show in 2024 after a six-year break. The contrasting reactions showed how closely the show's looks continue to be judged against its past.
