The Met Gala is one of the most anticipated events in any celebrity's calendar, and one of the biggest nights out in the fashion world. And while we've got a soft spot for the gorgeous, elegant dresses regularly seen on the Oscars red carpet, the Met Gala is a time for stars—and their stylists—to really flex their sartorial muscles and take a risk with their looks for the night.
Overseen by fashion powerhouse Anna Wintour, and with a guest list that's notoriously difficult to get onto, the Met Ball is by far the most glamorous fundraiser of the year, with proceeds going towards the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute (hence the name). Every year, there's a different theme for guests to adhere to, so out-of-the-box thinking and next-level creativity are par for the course—and it's always fascinating to see who really hit the nail on the head (and, who didn't...).
So, ahead of this year's event, that's set to take place, as ever, on the first Monday of May, we've gone through the archives to put together some of the best Met Gala looks of all time. Keep scrolling to see our favourites...
Met Gala 2025
Theme: "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style"
Quite possibly one of the best Met Galas yet, "Supefine: Tailoring Black Style" was a love letter to dandyism and all that it represents. The theme promised to explore a deeper, more meaningful conversation about fashion's history and the often overlooked narratives within it. We saw tailoring in many shapes and guises, re-imagined for the blue carpet. Naturally, highlights included Thom Browne's army of style heroes, including Janelle Monae in a custom Paul Tazewell x Thom Browne collaboration. If our money was on anyone nailing this year's theme, Monae would've been at the top of the list—and we'd be sitting on a winner. Aside from the fashion, the beauty looks were strong, the Met Gala jewellery was dazzling (naturally), and we even had a surprise announcement with Rihanna unveiling her baby bump.
Met Gala 2024
Theme: "Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion"
With a strong focus on nature and archival fashion—with said pieces referred to as 'sleeping beauties' due to their fragile condition—last year's Met Gala saw celebrities fully embracing the whimsical theme. From Kim Kardashian's ultra-mini cardigan that caused quite a commotion on social media to Zendaya's unexpected second look, it was filled with fabulous looks.
Met Gala 2023
Theme: "Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty"
Celebrating the life and art of the late designer, guests served look after look with incredible archival pieces, show-stopping gowns and, as always, the headline worthy talking pieces. Dua Lipa's look was a particular highlight: a Chanel Autumn/Winter 1992 Couture gown in Lagerfeld's signature black and white palette.
Met Gala 2022
Theme: "Gilded Glamour"
The Met Gala was back in May with its 2022 theme, Gilded Glamour. Stars embraced the dress code with sparkles, sequins and shimmer aplenty. Blake Lively had the most dramatic red carpet moment of the night, with a look that was inspired by the Statue of Liberty, and changed from bronze to turquoise right before the crowd's eyes.
Met Gala 2021
Theme: "American Independence"
Due to Covid, the 2020 Met Gala was put on hold, but the event was back in 2021 and took place in September, instead of its usual first Monday in May calendar spot. The theme was American Independence, to reflect the Metropolitan Museum of Art exhibition: In America: A Lexicon of Fashion.
Stars donned souped-up denim looks, alongside outfits inspired by famous historical moments. Though Kim Kardashian's look was undoubtedly the most talked-about of the night. The star arrived at the event dressed in a black bodysuit, which covered her entire face.
Met Gala 2019
Theme: "Camp: Notes on Fashion"
Like previous years, the theme was an extension of the Met’s exhibition, curated by Andrew Bolton and Wendy Yu, around Susan Sontag’s 1964 essay Notes on “Camp” ,which amongst other things describes it as a love of exaggeration. With a theme like that, celebrities went all out, and Lady Gaga stole the show with her many outfit changes.
Wearing Brandon Maxwell
Met Gala 2018
Theme: "Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination"
2018's Met Gala theme was a minefield. It was dubbed Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination and unsurprisingly, it was viewed as super controversial. Although religious iconography has previously featured in designer collections by the likes of Dolce & Gabbana, celebrities and their stylists were under pressure to figure out the perfect way to push style boundaries—without pushing too hard.
Met Gala 2017
Theme: "Rei Kawakubo"
2017's theme honoured one of the most exciting designers of the decade: Rei Kawakubo of Comme des Garçons. Renowned for her sculptural and avant-garde approach to fashion, things got delightfully weird and we were here for it. Standouts included Katy Perry's swooping red tulle gown, Blake Lively's feathered Versace and Priyanka Chopra's beefed up trench coat (all featured below in our gallery, don't worry). However there was one undisputed style queen that night...
Met Gala 2016
Theme: "Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology"
Things got technical in 2016, as the theme for the Met Gala was Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology. A lot of celebrities took things to a futuristic level, with Emma Watson wearing a dress made entirely out of plastic bottles and Kate Hudson's sculptural gown setting her up as a kind of robotic angel. Katy Perry again drew attention with her sweeping Prada gown, while Taylor Swift's newly debuted platinum locks had tongues wagging. As for our favourite...
Met Gala 2015
Theme: "China: Through the Looking Glass"
This year's theme centred around China and - uh - it got controversial. It's no secret that fashion's been prone to orientalism and toeing the line between appropriation and honouring a culture's tradition is a very slim one. Many stars went straight to the source and commissioned Chinese designers for their looks, while others opted for thoughtful details like Mandarin collars and embroidered silk. Others stayed completely away and did their own thing...and then there was Sarah Jessica Parker's headpiece. Still torn on that one.
Read on for more of our favourite looks below.
Some of our favourite Met Gala looks from the archives
Janelle Monae's custom Paul Tazewell x Thom Browne collaboration look at the 2025 Met Gala was a triumph. Monae first appeared on the carpet in a suit with over-sized proportions that was later removed to reveal the show-stopping striped look underneath.
For Zendaya, Louis Vuitton was the only way to nail the "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style" theme at the 2025 Met Gala. Sleek tailoring in a head-to-toe colour block. Reminiscent of Bianca Jagger's wedding look—this is a masterclass in chic.
Grace Wales Bonner created this stunning look for FKA Twigs at the 2025 Met Gala. FKA Twigs spoke about the pair long-running friendship and time spent in Hackney together. Naturally, Bonner was the only choice for such a momentous occasion.
The theme for the 2003 Met Ball was Goddess: the Classical Mode in celebration of the exhibition of the same name at New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art. Model Carmen Kass dazzled the crowds as she made her way to the glitzy party in a stunning long-sleeved red gown with a flowing train and cut-out panels at the back.
Scarlett Johansson made her Met Ball debut in 2004 and cemented her fashion darling status wearing this pearl yellow gown by Calvin Klein to the glitzy fashion bash.
Vanessa Paradis made her first Met Ball appearance at the 2005 gala, but with a look like this, it only makes us wish she attended more. The Chanel muse chose a signature monochrome ensemble by the French fashion house, which she teamed with her trademark bohemian accessories.
Never one to follow the fashion pack when it comes to style, Chloe Sevigny went for a girly ensemble at the gala, wearing a monochrome YSL cocktail dress, black T-bar heels and a matching clutch.
The Costume Institute Gala 2006 celebrated the opening of the Anglomania: Tradition and Transgression in British Fashion exhibition at New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art. Sarah Jessica Parker chose a UK designer, natch, for her red carpet look, wearing a strapless gown with layers of tulle and tartan by Alexander McQueen.
Beyonce kept things classic, and slightly bridal, in a beautiful ruffled silk organza gown by Giorgio Armani Prive.
David and Victoria Beckham certainly made a statement at their first Costume Institute Gala appearance as a couple. David was dapper in an Armani made-to-measure tux with velvet lapels, while Victoria went '80s in a vintage Armani beaded dressing coat.
McQueen would have been proud! Gisele plucked a jaw-dropping red gown from the designer's vast archive to pay tribute in serious style.
Never one to put a style foot wrong, we love Kate Moss's black, slightly gothic gown from her own Kate Moss for Topshop collection that she wore to the 2007 gala. The drop earrings are the perfect jewellery accompaniment.
Blake Lively's stepped out in some stunning Met Ball dresses in her time (who could forget that beautiful blue Chanel?) but her shimmering golden Gucci gown has to be one of our favourites. The actress accessorised the sequinned number with Louboutin Body Strass shoes, tumbling blonde Old Hollywood-style locks, ruby jewels, and a dazzling smile.
This asymmetric Tommy Hilfiger dress combined two distinct styles, a floaty tulle gown and a structured mini.
Katy, who was one of the co-hosts in 2017, showed up in a dramatic custom Maison Margiela Artisanal dress.
Solange has always been one to break the mould, and she did it in style this year in a pleated David Leport piece.
Your fave could NEVER. This Dolce & Gabbana dress toed the line between period piece and modern standout - Zendaya's make-up and natural hair were the cherries on top.
Lena Waithe's gorgeous rainbow cloak was one of the Met Gala's only political statements of the night, critiquing the Catholic church's difficult history with the LGBT community.
Celine Dior arrived shimmering in Oscar de la Renta.
Rihanna wowed at the Met Gala yet again with this stunning look from Balenciaga. The look consisted of a black oversized overcoat, with a matching black hat. This outfit was nothing like previous looks from Rihanna, but regardless, felt very all-American. From the ruffles on the coat to the exaggerated shape and the diamonds...could it get any better?
Here we can see Iman, in a showstopping full look by Harris Reed. Iman was kitted out in a golden corset and matching trousers, with a gilded feather cage, as well as a custom headpiece, made in collaboration with Dolce & Gabbana. Reed was inspired by “American ballroom culture in the golden age,” which fit in with the all American theme perfectly.
It couldn't be a gala based on American fashion without a bit of denim. Denim a the hallmark of American style, and Lupita hit the nail on the head with the theme in this Versace dress. The dress featured a beaded bodice and multiple layers of denim laid over the top. She paired the dress with a diamond necklace courtesy of De Beers jewellers.
Kim Kardashian physically caused jaws to drop, as she took the Gilded Glamour theme to a new level wearing Marilyn Monroe's Jean Louis Dress. (Yes, the actual one from 1962.) The star borrowed the dress from the Ripley's Believe it or Not museum, and while she was only able to actually wear the dress for mere minutes, this was a top contender when it came to fitting the theme. Can you get more American than Monroe?
Gigi never being one to shy away from the spotlight, dressed to impress with this look from Versace. The outfit consisted of a burgundy corset, paired with knee high boots of the same colour. To top it off, Hadid added a huge puffy overcoat, with matching red jewels to complete this stunning look.
In what has been dubbed the “Spiral Nebula,” Dove Cameron was an eye catcher in this beautiful dress. The dress was by Iris Van Herpen, and according to The New York Times, the dress reportedly took 600 hours to make. Featuring a high neck, boning and tassels, this is one of our favourite looks from the event.
It doesn't get much better than this. For the 2023 Met Gala, "Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty", Michaela Coel teamed up with stylist Georgia Medley to put this incredible Schiaparelli look together.
In an ethereal, embellished gown, Greta Lee graced the red carpet in a Loewe dress that seamlessly fit into the 2024 Met Gala theme of "Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion."
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