Dedicated fans of RuPaul's Drag Race are always quick to deliver a hot take about an outfit worn on the runway. Of course, that's all part of the fun, but a runway look is only as good as the runway category. The best runway categories inspire the queens' creativity, and they challenge them as contestants to push the art of drag forward. This is drag's biggest stage, after all.
Although Drag Race doesn't repeat runway themes very often, some categories are so iconic that fans would love to see another cast give their interpretation of the challenge. And over the course of its 13 seasons, fans know that a few other runway categories were so odd and unclear that it made it nearly impossible for the queens to succeed.
Never Again: Deadliest Snatch
Many fans consider season 5 among the best seasons of Drag Race, but there were definitely some cringeworthy moments on the runway. The Deadliest Snatch runway was one of them and one of those instances where the show tried so hard to squeeze in a joke that it came at the expense of the runway fashions.
While the runway category makes for some funny wordplay, almost all the queens had a different interpretation of what the theme was supposed to be. What exactly does Deadliest Snatch mean for a runway? For example, Alaska came out on stage holding a fish, yet Coco Montrese dressed as Nicki Minaj. It was all over the place because it wasn't clear what this category was supposed to mean.
Need It Again: A Night Of A Thousand RuPauls
In season 5, A Night of a Thousand Rupauls tasked the queens with bringing their own interpretations of some of RuPaul's most iconic looks. While some queens delivered spot-on replicas of RuPaul, many contestants chose to imitate lesser-known RuPaul moments. It was a fun challenge, but there were a lot of missed opportunities when the cast hit the runway.
Now that some time has passed, there are even more incredible RuPaul fashions that the queens could use as inspiration, from AJ and the Queen to magazine covers and the many iterations of Drag Race. Another stab at this runway would certainly be legendary.
Never Again: Born Naked
Of course, RuPaul's Drag Race loves to incorporate as many self-referential jokes as possible, so a nod to RuPaul's Born Naked song, album, and mantra sounds like a perfect fit for a runway category. But as fans saw in season 7, an entire runway based on nude illusions isn't a great fit for a fashion-focused competition.
There have been dozens of nude illusions on the show, but many fans felt that season 7's Born Naked runway was simply not entertaining. The queens had to sport a resort wear outfit with a tearaway reveal of a nude bodysuit. Not only was it redundant to watch over and over again, but it almost seemed like the queens were judged more on their bodysuits than anything else.
Need It Again - Hometown Fashions
Season 9's hometown-inspired runway theme was a great way to kick off the season. By allowing the queens to deliver looks inspired by their hometown, the queens could introduce themselves to the world and show the judges (and the fans at home) where they're from and what they're about.
Although this look was from the first episode, Nina Bo'nina Brown's Georgia peach ensemble was one of the most memorable runway looks of the entire season. This is a great runway category — especially for a premiere episode — because it helps introduce the cast, and there are endless possibilities for their creativity.
Never Again: Caftan Realness
A caftan is a staple in every drag queen's closet, but it did not make for a good runway category. In season 11, the Caftan Realness runway left fans with mixed feelings. The biggest issue was that there was no clear definition of what was and wasn't a caftan.
Ross Matthews, for example, argued that A'keria C. Davenport's butterfly outfit wasn't really a caftan. If the judges have to split hairs over the technicalities of the theme, that's a good sign that it's not a good runway category in the first place.
Need It Again: Hats Incredible
What's incredible about the Hats Incredible runway is how many different interpretations came out of it. The Vixen wore a dress made entirely out of hats. Asia O'Hara delivered one of the best runway looks in history with her showstopping dandelion outfit.
Although a hat-focused runway might seem like it would be limiting, the season 10 queens proved that there are a ton of creative possibilities with this theme. Fans would be thrilled to see another group of queens give their most over-the-top hat look.
Never Again: Ugliest Dress Ever
Challenging the queens to wear their ugliest dress ever was confusing across the board. Just like some of the other lackluster runway categories, there wasn't a clear understanding of what the judges wanted to see from this season 7 runway theme. Some queens went over the top gaudy with their outfits, whereas other dresses left the fans at home saying, "Meh."
What one person thinks is ugly might not seem ugly to someone else, which is what makes this theme so complicated and definitely one that doesn't need to be repeated. In a competition where glamour reigns supreme, it seems like a disserve to make the queens look ridiculous and unfashionable.
Need It Again: Club Kid Couture
As a leader of LGBTQ+ representation on reality TV, it's always appreciated when Drag Race pays homage to the cultural moments that helped inspire today's drag. In season 9, this was on full display with the Club Kid Couture runway, where the queens were challenged to present their best takes on club kid fashion.
Everything about this runway was memorable. From Peppermint's minty Leigh Bowery look to Sasha Velour's glittery clown ensemble, everyone served an iconic look. With so much creative history to draw from, it would be fantastic to see another cast give their interpretation of this unique and historic aesthetic.
Never Again: Favorite Body Part
The queens were challenged to show off their favorite body parts both in season 5 and season 6. Both times, the results were questionable. While some queens nailed this category, the majority of the looks across both seasons felt disconnected from the theme. It was as if they were asked to add on the tidbit about their favorite body part at the last minute.
For example, is a queen really wearing a strapless gown because their collarbone is their favorite body part? Overall, this runway category is just a bit awkward, and fans aren't eager to see it again.
Need It Again: Best Drag
It might be simple, but the Best Drag runway category should be a mainstay in every season because everyone gets a chance to show the audience their unique approach to drag. Although it makes for good reality TV, the contestants don't get to showcase their true drag when they have to make an outfit from random items in the workroom or when they have to dress up like a parade float on the runway.
Sometimes this category is at the beginning of the season, sometimes it's towards the end, and sometimes, they don't do it at all. But when they do, the Best Drag category delivers because the queens can plan their look ahead of time and bring a concept to life in their signature style. The possibilities are endless for this category, and the results are always breathtaking. RuPaul needs to bring this back every season.