Fashion’s biggest night, the Met Gala, was yesterday, and I for one was here for it. With so much Hollywood drama happening lately, it’s nice to get back to the celebrity opulence we’re used to, and the Met Gala is nothing if not opulent. It’s basically a red-carpet event on steroids.
This year, the theme was Gilded Glamour, a reference not to the TV show, but to the actual Gilded Age (1870 – 1900), a time period known for prosperity and industrial growth. Think heavily corseted gowns, elbow-length gloves, and feathered hats à la Kate Winslet in Titanic. But no matter what the actual theme is, the Met Gala is all about extravagance. The unspoken rule is the same one as your college pregame: go big or go home. Which, at least in my eyes, means there’s no such thing as “best” or “worst” dressed—as long as it’s over-the-top, it’s a win.
So, with that in mind, let’s talk about the fashion!
Blake Lively
As one of this year’s co-hosts, I expected a lot from Blake and I’ll be honest—I was initially disappointed. Don’t get me wrong, her Versace gown with the satin bow and extensive beading is stunning, it just wasn’t quite as daring as some of her past looks. But then, lo and behold, she did a full-on, mid-carpet transformation, going from coppery queen to ice goddess in no time. THIS is what the Met Gala is all about.
Janelle Monáe
Janelle is a fashion icon, particularly when it comes to the Met Gala. Who could forget her 2019 dress, complete with a blinking eye pasty? While this year’s gown wasn’t nearly as fun, she still stood out with head-to-toe sparkles, including a diamond-encrusted headpiece and matching cuffs.
Tommy Dorfman
If there was a Gilded Age version of Batman, this would be it.
Shawn Mendes
Why is this giving me serious Gaston from Beauty and the Beast vibes? Chauvinistic cartoon character aside, he’s rocking the steampunk maître-d’ look.
Emma Stone
Emma’s flapper gown is adorable. Emma Stone is adorable. If this were a roaring ’20s themed costume party or the Golden Globes, I’d be singing her praises. But, girl, there is a time and place for cute, and it’s not the Met Gala!
Sarah Jessica Parker
If you told me Carrie Bradshaw was going to channel a First Lady, Mary Todd Lincoln certainly wouldn’t have been my first guess, but when it comes to the Met Gala, SJP gets it. She’s over here in a plaid throw with a purple quail on her head and she’s making it work. Not to mention, she’s perfectly on theme with a modern Polonaise-type dress and feathered headpiece.
Sebastian Stan
Sebastian must have misread 1890 as 1990, because that’s the only explanation for this Pepto-Bismol colored tracksuit, which is neither gilded nor glamour. Still, it’s not easy to pull off hot-pink platform shoes, so props for that.
Cardi B
Perhaps the most literal interpretation of gilded glamour, Cardi is once again bringing her A-game to the Gala. Gold coins—check. Cleavage—check. Gibson Girl vibes—check, check, check!
Billie Eilish
Speaking of the Vanderbilt Ball, Billie would fit in perfectly. Can’t you just picture her hob-knobbing with the Astors? Or at the very least, sulking with the other petulant teenage socialites of the era.
Kim Kardashian
Kim K wore the iconic Happy Birthday Mr. President dress, originally worn by Marilyn Monroe in 1962. But instead of a White House affair, she paired it with platinum blonde hair, a fur stole, and her (possibly spray-tanned) new beau, Pete Davidson. It’s a far cry from the Kanye-era Grim Reaper gown of 2021, and thank god for that.
Fredrik Robertsson
Imagine putting this much effort into your Met Gala look, and then getting mistaken by every news outlet for Jared Leto. Sad! If Wolverine had sex with a porcupine and their offspring was somehow an avant-garde fashionista, this is what you’d get.
Kylie Jenner
I’m calling this baseball bride attire, because honestly, there’s no other way to describe it. Perhaps she was thinking of the wrong Mets? If I could have one wish in life, it would be to know Anna Wintour’s honest thoughts when she saw Kylie in a backwards cap on the red carpet.
Cara Delevingne
Another supermodel proving that regular fashion rules don’t apply to them, Cara’s wearing red pants and gold body paint, but no shirt (which may or may not have been what I wore to Coachella, but still). Despite the lack of a shirt, she did remember to grab her cane, but I find myself really wishing she’d finished it off with a top-hat and monocle. Give us full Monopoly Man glam!
Gigi Hadid
In a sea of gold gowns and Victorian-inspired corsets, Gigi stood out with this red leather jumpsuit and oversized puffer coat. She looks a little bit like a dominatrix, mixed with a bouncy house and a Bed Bath and Beyond comforter. But you know what, she has the Gilded Age regality down, so I’m going to give it to her.
Images: Taylor Hill (6), Gotham (4), Matt Winkelmeyer/MG22/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue; Kevin Mazur/MG22/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue; Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images; Cindy Ord/MG22/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue; Mike Coppola/Getty Images
