If you’re still in recovery from the drama and emotion of the Eurovision 2026 final (and are still trying to get over host Victoria Swarovski saying Eurovision Song conTEST rather than Eurovision Song CONtest) it’s time to have a look at who wore what and pick out the best Eurovision outfits for 2026 and also the worst Eurovision outfits – let’s call these the ten best forgotten. This article includes outfits from the semi-finals as well as the final. So let’s get right into it – these are in alphabetical order.
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The 10 Best Eurovision Outfits 2026
1. Albania – Chainmail Wings
Albania were represented by Alis singing Nân. He finished 13th place in the final and contested in the second semi-final, finishing in 7th place.
His outfit featured a chain-mail-style cape with a scalloped edge to represent wings; midway through his song the backdrop featured wings behind him, echoing the outfit.
Photo credit: Sarah Louise Bennett/EBU
2. Croatia – Blood Red Dresses
Croatia were represented by Lelek singing Andromeda. Four of the band members wore blood red dresses while one wore white, singing with intense staging and a witchy feel that reminded me of Bambie Thug’s Doomsday Blue in a way. They finished 15th place in the final and contested in the first semi-final where they finished 6th.
Photo credit: Sarah Louise Bennett/EBU
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3. Denmark – Leather Trousers and Sparkly Mesh
Starting off with a shirt that gets ripped off mid-song boy band-style, Denmark were represented by Søren Torpegaard Lund singing Før vi går hjem. He finished 7th place in the final after having qualified from the second semi-final where he came 5th.
Photo credit: Corinne Cumming/EBU
4. France – White Dress and Stompy Boots
France’s Monroe sang Regarde! in yet another operatic song at the Eurovision – I may or may not be getting tired of the theme here, despite liking opera itself. I did think this was one of the best Eurovision outfits though, as I like the pairing of the white dress with chunky black boots – it’s a contrast that works really well. France qualified automatically as one of the Big 4 and finished in 11th place in the final.
Photo credit: Sarah Louise Bennett/EBU
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5. Greece – Just Look!
Greece’s Akylas sang Ferto dressed in furry boots and a cat-eared hat that reminded me of the cute hats by Charles Jeffrey LOVERBOY. I loved the song; I thought it might be the year’s Cha Cha Cha, but ultimately it finished in 10th place in the final.
Photo credit: Alma Bengtsson/EBU
6. Malta – Proving Leather Trousers are the Way To Go
Aidan from Malta wore vintage Versace to sing Bella, finishing in 18th place in final after a poor showing with the public vote despite getting a few 12s from the juries.
Photo credit: Sarah Louise Bennett/EBU
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7. Romania – Best Corset of Eurovision 2026
Romania jumped up to finish third in the final thanks to the public vote with their song Choke Me; singer Alexandra Căpitănescu had one of the best Eurovision outfits of the night and definitely the best corset overall – and there were a lot of corsets!
Photo credit: Corinne Cumming/EBU
8. San Marino – Studio 54 Queen
Here’s the first listing for best Eurovision outfit that didn’t make it to the final: San Marino. Senhit sang in the first semi-final with a cameo from Boy George; her song Superstar finished 14th out of 15 songs, but she looked amazing.
Photo credit: Corinne Cumming/EBU
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9. Serbia – Most Elaborate Metal Band Outfits
I’ll admit I always cringe when I see metal bands at Eurovision because I’m a Very Picky Metal Fan (which metal fan isn’t, I guess) but I have to admit that Serbia’s outfits were really good. Lavina sang Kraj mene in the first semi-final and ended 17th in the final.
Photo credit: Corinne Cumming/EBU
10. Switzerland – Cool Girl Rock / Cool Rock Girl
Another NQ: Switzerland’s Veronica Fusaro sang Alice but finished 11th in the second semi-final, just about missing out on a spot in the final.
Photo credit: Corinne Cumming/EBU
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Honourable Mentions
Let’s given an honourable mention to the hosts. Victoria Swarovski wore some amazing gowns, while Michael Ostrowski was a lot less serious but just as stylish.
Photo credit (Michael Ostrowski): Sarah Louise Bennett/EBU; photo credit (Victoria Swarovski): Alma Bengtsson/EBU.
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The 10 Eurovision Outfits Best Forgotten
1. Armenia – Sticky Note Disaster
This one reminds me of that one time it was somebody’s birthday at work so I got some colleagues to join me in covering all his stuff with sticky notes when he went out on a lunch break.
The sticky notes do have a purpose though: the song is about somebody quitting their 9-to-5 job to pursue their passion, so the jacket being taken off mid-song makes sense. Simón sang Paloma Rumba in the second semi-final, finishing 14th and failing to qualify for the final.
Photo credit: Corinne Cumming/EBU
2. Austria – The Crumpled Corset
Let’s forget the blue star on his eye for a moment and just focus on the corset, which looks as though it got crumpled in transit. But the show took place in Austria. Hmm.
Anyhow, Cosmó from Austria sang Tanzschein and finished 24th out of 25 songs in the final.
Photo credit: Sarah Louise Bennett/EBU
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3. Azerbaijan – Dripping Makeup?
Azerbaijan were represented by Jiva who sang Just Go, finishing 15th (and last) in the second semi-final. Aside from the confusing (and mostly redundant) appearance of a man in a fedora at the end of the performance, also perplexing was her makeup with three red drips under her eyes. Not sure what the concept was there.
Photo credit: Sarah Louise Bennett/EBU
4. Belgium – Cannot Commit to the Bit
Thigh high boot or ankle boot? Let’s do both.
Opera glove or no glove? Let’s have both!
Belgium’s Essyla sang Dancing on the Ice and just about qualified from the first semi-final with a 10th place finish. She then placed 21st in the final.
Photo credit: Sarah Louise Bennett/EBU
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5. Czechia – Forgot to Iron His Shirt
Not sure what’s going on with Daniel Zizka from Czechia – his shirt is a crumpled mess. He finished 16th in the final with Crossroads.
Photo credit: Corinne Cumming/EBU
6. Georgia – The Roop Did Yellow So Much Better
Georgia’s Bzikebi didn’t make it out of the first semi-final with their song On Replay but you have to admit that The Roop did yellow so much better! Sorry Georgia.
Photo credit: Alma Bengtsson/EBU
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7. Italy – Heavy-Handed at the Makeup Counter
I’m surprised that the lapels of Italy’s Sal Da Vinci managed to end the song clean what with all that makeup. He finished fifth in the final with his song Per Sempre Si.
Photo credit: Alma Bengtsson/EBU
8. Poland – Another Bad Corset
There’s a hint of a concept of a Mugler in there, but unfortunately it’s another bad corset. Alicja from Poland sang Pray wearing this ill-fitting silver piece, finishing second in the first semi-final and 12th in the final.
Photo credit: Sarah Louise Bennett/EBU
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9. Portugal – Dressed for the Bus Home
I believe Portugal got confused and showed up to the wrong contest. Bandidos do Cante finished in 12th position in the first semi-final with their song Rosa.
Photo credit: Sarah Louise Bennett/EBU
10. Sweden – “I’d like to keep it on please,” Valentina.
Sweden’s Felicia sang My System, finishing 20th in the final. Her outfit featured a glittery red mask that recalled a certain lip sync battle.
Photo credit: Corinne Cumming/EBU
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Honourable Mentions
Let’s not forget these two countries whose outfits were also rather bad: Bulgaria, who may have channelled the early 2000s just a bit too well with that giant belt; and Moldova, whose male singer pulled from the Philipp Plein Pre-Fall 2014 archives. If you get that reference, I am both proud of and ashamed of you.
Photo credit (Moldova): Alma Bengtsson/EBU; photo credit (Bulgaria): Corinne Cumming/EBU.
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And of course: congratulation to the winner, Bulgaria!
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London College of Fashion alumna (PGCert Fashion Buying & Merchandising). 15 years in fashion across styling, buying & merchandising, trend forecasting, e-commerce, and marketing. Includes roles at Vivienne Westwood and multi-brand retail stocking 50+ brands including Adidas, Nike, and Puma.
