Zendaya
Do birds of a feather stick together? We would have to say so. Zendaya is not one to shy away from bold colors and patterns and we love it. She absolutely killed her 2017 Met Gala look. The theme for 2017 was "Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons: Art of the In-Between." It was an avant-garde theme and while some celebs wore the designer who was being honored that night, Zendaya went for Dolce & Gabbana.
Interestingly, Zendaya's choice was not really on theme, and she and her styling team took the opportunity to create their own path while holding onto the core of the topic. The Dolce & Gabbana gown with scarlet trim is incredible.
This choice was bold, and we think it totally paid off.
Katy Perry
Katy Perry made our list, and she will do it again. Oddly enough, she’s literally wearing lights. Back in 2010, she had a lights look that was slightly more subtle, if that’s even possible, for dresses created with lights. The 2019 theme of "Camp: Notes on Fashion" reinvigorated Perry's lightbulb obsession and gave us... this.
She’s decked out like a full-blown chandelier – headpiece and all. The outfit was designed by Jeremy Scott from the brand Moschino. We admit it doesn’t look so much like an outfit as it does like a Halloween costume – but the theme for that year was Camp, and that year saw the gala go wild.
We're going to go out on a limb here and say that this one actually worked.
Rihanna
Rihanna has no shame in her game when it comes to fashion. There is no water she won’t cross. We aren’t really sure what look she was going for here, but she almost looks like a bouquet of flowers or colorful eucalyptus. This was for the 2017 "Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons: Art Of The In-Between" Gala, and she paid homage to the honored designer by wearing one of their creations.
The public response to it was mixed, to say the least, but given that she wore the literal designer whose theme it was, it's tough to say that she didn't hit the mark.
Our decision is made – we think this is a bonafide piece of art.
Jared Leto
Jared Leto turned heads – two of which belonged to him – at the 2019 Met Gala when he showed up in this bright red, bedazzled getup. But it wasn’t so much the outfit that landed him on our list, but the fact he was toting a one-of-a-kind accessory that made little sense: a life-like replica of his head.
The look was a nod to Alessandro Michele’s “Cyborg” runway show in 2018, where he sent his models down the runway carrying their own “severed heads.” It was a Gucci creation and while the head part is weird, the outfit itself is pretty nice, and not so crazy.
Still, we're going to say that this look tried too hard, and ultimately missed the mark.
Julie Macklowe
If you're not familiar with Julie Macklowe, we'll catch you up to speed. She is an American socialite, philanthropist, hedge fund manager, and whisky distiller with a skincare brand. Got all that? In her spare time, she appears to double as a Scottish tablecloth.
Well, Macklowe blended into the rest of the over-the-top looks at the 2017 Gala, even though she looked like a tablecloth mixed with someone who was throwing on random things they found in a Halloween bin in their attic. Where exactly are her arms? That’s the thing – no one knows. It remains a mystery to this day.
There's no choice here – this one did not impress.
Pharell and Helen Williams
The look on the faces of everyone standing behind and looking at Pharell Williams’ wife, Helen, on the red carpet, says it all. It’s the same look that’s probably on your face right now as you’re trying to figure out what on earth she’s wearing, too. Not to mention the fact that Pharell himself looks like he got dressed in the dark.
The outfit, a look created by Comme des Garçons, looks like an odd-shaped puffer jumper. Granted, that year’s Gala was based on the avant-garde designer, Rei Kawakubo, the face behind the line. Still, we say, “Why?” Or maybe, “What?” Also, "are those socks with her peep-toe shoes?"
Sadly, none of this worked. On any level.
Solange Knowles
When Solange Knowles arrived at the 2015 Met Gala, she stopped many people in their tracks – but many were probably just trying to figure out what exactly it was they were looking at her outfit. And, look, the 2015 theme of "China: Through the Looking Glass" had designers going crazy blending traditional looks with futuristic visions. This is what the designer Giles came up with.
The Giles dress has an odd shape that makes her look like some kind of vehicle you’d see on "Star Trek" or "The Orville." But hey, if ever there was a time to dress like a flying saucer, it’d be at the Met Gala, right?
Despite the controversy, we like this futuristic piece.
Charlize Theron and John Galliano
2006 was a crazy time for fashion. That's pretty clear here. The Met Gala theme was "AngloMania: Tradition and Transgression in British Fashion." Designer John Galliano appeared at the 2006 Gala looking like he’d been up drinking the night before with a group of pirates who went crazy with a Bedazzler, passed out for a few minutes, and been woken up and told he had to hit the carpet.
His date, Charlize Theron, opted for a flowy, deep-red Christian Dior dress, which looks nice but pretty mismatched with her date's attire. Though, that seems to be on him. We have a feeling that Theron looks back at this look with a pretty desperate sense of regret.
Call it art if you want, but this is a huge fail for us.
Ryan Murphy
This gorgeous garment for the 2019 Met Gala was designed by "Project Runway" season four winner Christian Siriano. The sparkly orange tuxedo and the magnificent cape both took two months to make. The outfit is covered in pearls, and from the bowtie to the shoes, there wasn't a detail that wasn't thought of.
"American Horror Story" and "Glee" creator Ryan Murphy reported the garment celebrated child prodigy Liberace. Murphy isn't usually one for outlandish red carpet looks, but the man is a visionary and the Met Gala is made for creativity. The outfit weighs over 100 lbs, but no pain, no gain, right?
This look is a winner!
Ezra Miller
For the 2019 Met Gala, "Fantastic Beasts" star Ezra Miller came up with an outfit we couldn't keep our eyes off of. As if his Burberry suit, rhinestone corset, and shoes weren't enough, he also had a mask of his own face. This is a pretty trippy get-up if you ask us, but Miller wore it with the utmost confidence.
The mask, however, wasn't even the creepy part; behind the mask, he hid an array of eyes. The eye makeup is so trippy that you almost don't even realize he's wearing bright red lipstick. Miller was inspired by artists like Dali and Magritte, and he does look like a work of art in this outfit.
As trippy as this look is, we do think he looks like a walking piece of art.
Sarah Jessica Parker
It’s okay to be a little adventurous in the world of fashion because it’s how trends start. However, we aren’t sure about Sarah Jessica Parker’s ensemble back in 2015. The dress and headpiece are interesting, to say the least. There's a lot to unpack, so we'll break it down nice and slow. SJP's collaborated with H&M to design her dress and, honestly, we love the end result.
As for the headpiece, it was a creation by Philip Treacy, a famed Irish haute couture hat designer. We assume Sarah never pulled this out of the closet again after she wore it, but such is the way with haute couture. We’re all wondering what she thinks about her outfit now when she looks back on it.
As for us, we give this one a solid yes.
Janelle Monae
Musician Janelle Monae presented this wonderfully whimsical dress at the 2019 Met Gala. She cooperated with Christian Siriano to create this gown, which Monae says was inspired by science fiction as well as the duality of the feminine and masculine. Safe to say, this ensemble hit the nail on the head – in the craziest way possible.
Monae's dress looks a bit like what we would assume the Mad Hatter from "Alice in Wonderland" would wear to the Met. Whatever she was inspired by, it worked; this dress is to die for. It is a unique piece that could have only been worn at the Met Gala.
We know it's a bit ridiculous, but we think Monae actually pulled this one off.
RuPaul
When the theme is "Camp," and the attendee is RuPaul, the self-proclaimed queen of drag, we'd expect to be blown away. We also would have expected him to walk the carpet in drag, but this is actually something he doesn't do on principle. He says he's been invited to the Met as a brand ambassador a number of times, but on the condition he does it in full drag. The thing is, RuPaul decides where he goes and how he looks, so that's never happened.
We do applaud the "Drag Race" host and producer for not taking the easy way out and showing up in an enormous dress. On the other hand, his striped sequin suit was just a little too crazy. It's hard to question the Queen of Queens on what is or is not camp, but either way, we didn't love this.
For us, this outfit was too outlandish and missed the mark.
Jennifer Lopez
When it came time to dress for 2018's Met Gala, saint J.Lo knew exactly what to do. She went for a literal interpretation of the theme, wearing a giant cross across her chest. The 2018 Met Gala theme was one of the most controversial yet. It was "Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination." If you haven't seen some of the looks from this year and the stirs they caused already, here's a start.
The bejeweled Balmain dress was made especially for her by Olivier Rousteing. The gown was inspired by an '88 "Vogue" cover, and it took over a month to make! As far as effort goes, it was definitely worth it, this one.
To be honest, we don't think this hit the artistic vision it was going for.
Shailene Woodley
Shailene Woodley is one of those celebs who has a few good movies under her belt but ultimately is clinging to the A-list. Case in point, this 2018 Gala getup seems as though it’d be really tough to walk – and sit down – in. But she must’ve thought the Ralph Lauren design worked well with the "Heavenly Bodies" theme.
In fact, two other celebrities showed up in outfits that looked very similar and nodded to Joan of Arc. Unfortunately, hers earned her a spot on several worst-dressed lists for that year’s event. We won't pretend to know what Joan of Arc's style would have been like, she probably had bigger things to worry about, but we're pretty confident that this wasn't it.
Sorry to say, but this look is a mess.
Beyonce
Beyonce is no stranger to turning heads at events, and the 2015 Met Gala was no different. She slayed in a sheer-looking Givenchy dress after arriving at the carpet fashionably late (like her lyrics say, “I’m so reckless when I rock my Givenchy dress.”)
She’s wearing a nude bodysuit underneath the sheer outing so as not to risk exposing anything to the crowd. This marked the fifth year in a row that the pop queen stunned at the Met Gala. She chose Givenchy for the Gala, as she had done before, and who can blame her? They clearly know what they're doing.
We admit that this wasn't really on-theme, but Beyonce still looks like a work of art.
Cara Delevigne
Cara Delevigne channels Chiquita Banana with her bright-colored getup at the 2019 Gala. But it wasn’t so much the striped rainbow-colored dress or even the scepter. It was the hat that turned heads. Still, make no mistake, people weren't ignoring the outfit made entirely of rainbow stripes.
The headpiece she was wearing was covered in fake teeth and eyeballs – one of which she said afterward weighed 10 pounds. Apparently, her scepter broke in the lobby of her hotel on the way to the event, and a stranger lent her a glue gun. It just goes to show you – if you're on the fence about taking your glue gun out with you, go for it. You might just run into a celebrity in need.
The passion and drive were there but, ultimately, this outfit looks more like a child's drawing than a work of fashion art.
Elle Fanning
Elle Fanning probably couldn’t handle much of anything herself on the night of the 2019 Met Gala when she appeared in this ‘70s-styled Miu Miu bell-bottom and wing-sleeved salmon-colored outfit. This photo is one of many that proves that Elle Fanning is one of the coolest and sweetest celebs around. That's the face of a gal having fun!
Each of her nails was done up in something that extended a good inch from her fingertips. But she did do the theme, "Camp: Notes on Fashion," justice with the overall look. Now, is this look nice in any way? Not particularly. BUT. The Met is for art, not for boring, traditionally 'nice' outfits.
Regardless, we think Miss Fanning did unfortunately miss the mark.
Rihanna
It’s impossible to forget the time that Rihanna made a lot of heads turn when she appeared at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 2015. She graced the red carpet in a yellow Chinese couture getup by Guo Pei, complete with a long, flowing, imperial yellow cape.
The designer is incredibly popular with stars in China, and, since the pop diva reached for her garments, it has started to rise in popularity in the States as well. We think that she absolutely rocked this look, but later on, the star admitted that she felt a bit over the top. But anyway, who said that there’s anything wrong with an over-the-top look when it comes to the Met Gala?
This look is undoubtedly a work of art.
Kim Kardashian
That one time that Kim Kardashian sported Marilyn Monroe's "Happy Birthday" dress on the red carpet event at the 2022 Met Gala, the star got slammed by reports stating that the historical artifact increasingly deteriorated throughout the process. This was the very same frock that Monroe wore during the 1962 John F. Kennedy fundraiser.
Not only was Kim quick to receive a lot of disdain from the media, but when reports came out that a replica could have been worn instead, the media went into a complete craze, and rightfully so! Kim hit the theme on the head, but all things considered, this wasn't the star's finest moment if we're being completely honest.
It had the potential for art but ended up flopping.
Cardi B
A trial will always steal the show. Endless trains have been a recurring theme in the prestigious Met Gala and for a good reason. They have an impact that can't be denied. For Cardi B, there's no such thing as overdoing it. A sparkly cap? Sure. Feathers Galore? No problem. A 10-foot train? Bring it on! This $250,000 dress was worth every penny.
The dress was designed by Thom Browne and took a recorded 2000 hours to produce. Cardi B sported this in 2018 while she was expecting her first child. And while most women will tell you that pregnancy is not fun and games, we're sure Cardi B had her work cut out for her.
You know what? It's crazy, but we think this one is a work of art.
Nicki Minaj
Nicki Minaj is no stranger to dressing provocatively, and most people are used to her showing off various aspects of her physique. After all, she does this on a regular basis. However, the Met Gala in 2016 was a whole different story. For this event, Nicki donned an outfit that really did raise eyebrows.
While the low-cut aspect was something that most people could cope with, it was the ties and the belt aspects that really had people shocked. Were her arms strapped down? How on earth would she get on with that? Nicki is famous for wearing some truly headline-stealing dresses — and this is right up there.
We know this was trying to be edgy, but it just looks like a costume to us.
Bella Hadid
Being a celebrity means that you will inevitably run into people you’d much rather avoid during red-carpet events. When Bella Hadid got invited to the 2017 Met Gala, she knew that she’d see her ex, The Weeknd, on the arm of his new lady, Selena Gomez. Naturally, she pulled out all the stops for her Gala look. Bella pulled no punches with this completely see-through catsuit designed by Alexander Wang.
It never hurts to put your best foot forward for the Met Gala, especially when your ex will be there. This bodysuit left little to the imagination with its shimmering beadwork and low back silhouette. She later told Harpers Bazaar, “I had so much fun from the moment I got on the red carpet until the moment it all ended.”
What can we say? Bella can really pull off a catsuit.
Kris Kardashian
It was May 2019, and that meant it was time for another Met Gala. Kris Jenner arrived on Corey Gamble’s arm, further cementing their status as a solid couple. But what stunned everyone that night wasn’t the Kardashian mother’s date, it was her look. Everyone was expecting Kris to arrive with her customary dark brown, short haircut, but she arrived as a blonde!
Her daughter Kylie Jenner suggested she use a blonde wig with a bob haircut, and we’re happy she did because she looked fabulous. As for her outfit, she wore an over-the-top blue pantsuit with a giant bewinged coat that was inspired by David Bowie. It was designed by her close friend Tommy Hilfiger.
The intention was there, but we think this looks like a crazy Halloween costume more than art.
Megan Fox
As a first-time attendee at the 2021 Met Gala, dubbed "fashion's biggest night," Megan was understandably anxious. However, she didn't let her nerves get the better of her, and she killed her Met debut. With stylist Maeve Riley at the helm, Megan rocked an intricately beaded firey red dress by designer Dundas.
In keeping with Megan's slightly spooky interests, she told red carpet reporters that her look had been inspired by none other than Bram Stocker's "Dracula." With her appearance at the event, Megan cemented her vampy yet chic mark on the fashion map.
Megan looks like a walking mannequin, and we love it.
Katy Perry
The Met has become so huge in recent years that celebs sport different looks in the main event and in the after-party. If you thought the after-party outfits would be a little bit more chill, think again.
For instance, Katy Perry went the extra mile and she clearly takes parties very seriously, so in 2019, she wore a full-on hamburger costume for the one that came after the main event. She obviously took the “Camp” theme of the party to the next level with this head-turning outfit. Perry always slays it when it comes to the Gala, and we gotta admit we love this quirky look.
Still, it's a far cry from art.
Blake Lively
Blake Lively and her hubby Ryan Reynolds are one of Hollywood’s cutest couples, often cited as #relationshipgoals. At 5’10", she is only 4 inches shy of her husband! In 2017, Blake wore this feathered dress by Atelier Versace. Needless to say, she killed it, feathers and all.
The gold detailing is perfectly suited to Blake's complexion, and her jewelry is the perfect balance between showy and subtle. We just can’t wait to see how tall their daughters will grow up to be. From her early appearances on "Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants" and "Gossip Girl" till today, Lively has certainly come a long way. We just can't get enough of her.
As always, Blake Lively looks like a work of art.
Zendaya
Zendaya smashed 2019's theme. What's campier than an over-the-top Disney-inspired princess gown? Nothing! The dress was designed by legendary Tommy Hilfiger. The actress's stylist, Roach, accompanied her on the red carpet dressed as the fairy godmother. She also had a bag shaped like Cinderella's pumpkin carriage, and if that's not enough, her gown lit up on the red carpet.
The star has a great track record of religiously sticking to the event’s theme, and This enchanting look gets her an automatic ten out of ten. At the same event the year before, the star rocked up in a Joan of Arc-influenced Versace custom-made gown, which also hit the theme of the party bang on the head.
Safe to say, Zendaya looks like a princess.
Taylor Swift
Swift is known as a master songwriter, and her style tends to change to embody the mood of her latest album. In 2016, she had not yet released her album "Reputation," but she already knew it would be filled with snake imagery.
This could be the reason why she chose to wear this snake-scaled metallic dress by Louis Vuitton. Taylor bleached her hair, especially for the event. Social media wasn't a fan of the look, which was edgier than most of Taylor's looks. But hey, if you’re Taylor Swift, who is basically the queen bee right now, then we guess that anything goes.
We have to say, this one missed the mark.
Maggie Gyllenhaal
In 2017's Gala, Jake Gyllenhaal's sister, actress Maggie, donned a sequined ensemble in green and purple. We think the dress has a floral theme to it, but honestly, it is so shiny it's hard to tell. The two-time Oscar-nominated star may be great on-screen but somehow her fashion sense let her down quite a bit on this year’s event with the “Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons: Art of the In-Between” theme.
While the hyper-embellished garment may appear to be a dress, it is actually a wide pant. This look is our definition of a hot mess! We hope she gets the opportunity to redeem herself at another red-carpet event further down the line!
This, understandably, looked like a mess.
Karolina Kurkova
The Czech model and actress Karolina Kurkova showed up to the 2005 Gala in this long white gown, which included a large, “I love you,” sewn across in bright red. Other images from the night reveal the dirty, wet steps outside of the museum, so who knows what the bottom of the dress looked like by the end of the evening!
While she may have been trying to nod to the House of Chanel, which was being honored with that year’s theme, it was more of a swing and a miss than a home run. Yikes! At least she did manage to redeem herself in the 2016 Met Gala with a gorgeous white floral dress.
Unfortunately, this was a major fashion fail.
Katie Holmes
At the 2014 Met Gala, actress Katie Holmes arrived in a super-bright, mustard-colored yellow dress by Marchesa. Perhaps she was trying to channel Belle from "Beauty and the Beast." However, something just got lost in translation, and the off-colored, off-the-shoulder dress scored her a spot on several worst-dressed lists that year.
In fact, that year’s event has been called the “worst-dressed Met Gala ever.” The theme was “Charles James: Beyond Fashion.” Charles Wilson James was one of the most prominent fashion designers of the 20th century, but since the theme was quite dated, it may explain why it was dubbed one of the worst-dressed gala events.
We're so sad to say this, but Miss Holmes looked like a used napkin.
Kim Kardashian
Most of the time, the Kardashians know how to turn heads with the looks that they create for big events. Sometimes, heads are turned because they look immaculate, and other times, it's due to poor wardrobe decisions. Perhaps this time was the latter. Kim Kardashian’s 2013 Met Gala getup is reminiscent of curtains you’d see hanging at grandma and grandpa’s place.
The pregnant celebrity chose this busy, floral print, which didn’t suit her very well, and drew an array of negative reviews from commentators after the event. Later, she admitted that she “cried the whole way home” over the poor response to the Givenchy gown.
We hate to agree with the haters, but unfortunately, this one missed the mark.
Marc Jacobs
Well, there have been plenty of stars to grace the red carpet at the Met Gala throughout the years in black lace/sheer dresses – though, for the most part, they’ve been women.
But designer Marc Jacobs decided to mix things up at 2012’s NY event by showing up in this long, see-through shirt dress over a pair of white boxers. And might we add that he may have won the prize for the most controversial male outfit for that year? Just saying. But, hey, it looks a hell of a lot more comfortable than the majority of other looks on our list, that’s for sure!
Sorry Marc, back to the drawing board after this.
Katy Perry
This singer loves to go the extra mile when it comes to getting dressed up for parties. The theme of 2018’s Met Gala, “Catholic Imagination,” inspired plenty of angelic and devilish attire. Katy Perry did not disappoint when she showed up in a dazzling gold Versace dress with a giant pair of wings.
When she was asked by reporters how she felt in the outfit that night, she responded, “I feel very angelic. Celestial. Ethereal.” It is a stunning look, but it also looks like it’d be heavy – and extremely hard to sit down in.
Regardless of practicality, this looks like a masterpiece.
Sarah Jessica Parker
Sarah Jessica Parker, much like the character she played on the hit series "Sex and the City," is known for her ability to dress well. Sometimes, she likes to do something a little eccentric, and this was definitely one of those times! She nailed the "Chaos to Couture" aspect of the punk theme in her gold-splattered leaf-print gown from the Giles fall collection.
She totally could’ve added a mohawk, but instead, she opted for an interesting headpiece and velvet Christian Louboutin boots that pulled the whole look together. SJP for the win! But we're not all that surprised, are you?
You know what, SJP? We think this one is a winner!
First Time’s a Charm
When Celine Dion stepped onto the red carpet at her very first Met Gala in 2017, she was determined to make it count. With a “go big or go home” attitude, The singer later reported that when she was getting ready, it felt like a lot, “it’s like getting ready to kiss for the first time, this is huge!”
She opted for a wrap-style Isabel Marant dress that had a remarkably sexy slit starting at the waist, with a dark headpiece and matching smokey eyes. And let’s not forget the flashy silver bodysuit. Choosing a pair of shoes couldn’t have been easy for her since she claims she has over 10,000 pairs.
Celine killed her first Met Gala.
Jaden Smith
Celebrities tend to accessorize with some bizarre stuff at this annual event. Like Jared Leto, who graced the gala with his identical twin head. Sometimes these accessories work, but other times they just leave audiences wondering what they were thinking.
Just take Jaden Smith, for instance, who walked around on the carpet in 2017 with a handful of his dreadlocks, which he’d chopped off not long before. The Louis Vuitton suit he wore and some gold chains looked nice, but the hair kind of threw things off. So, let’s say he lands in the gray area of our list.
Overall, we don't think this hit the mark that he was going for.
Anne Hathaway
It’s not every day that we get to see Anne Hathaway with newly bleached blonde hair, but at this particular event, the star was feeling extra daring when it came to not only her outfit but also her locks. It’s easy to see why Anne Hathaway landed on numerous best-dressed lists in 2013.
"The Devil Wears Prada" actress walked the red carpet at the Met Gala in a sleek black semi-sheer dress by Valentino. It was a look that worked perfectly for the "Punk: Chaos to Couture" theme of the year. She accompanied the zig-zaggy dress with a small, black clutch from the same designer and a platinum-blonde pixie.
It's edgy, and it hits the theme's nail on the head.
Madonna
As per the usual Met Gala tradition, some attendees of the event always manage to make headlines for the things they choose to wear, and by this, we’re referring to none other than Madonna. She has a thing for baring it all on the red carpet, which was extra apparent when she showed up to the 2016 Met Gala in a Givenchy Haute Couture dress.
For her, it was the black tape that she donned all over her body that really made the look. But when you’re Madonna going to the Met Gala – you can pretty much get away with wearing anything or nothing at all.
We have to say, this doesn't look like art. It's a step too far.
Amber Valletta
Supermodel Amber Valletta has attended many Met Gala events throughout her modeling career and often parades some of the most prominent designer names in the industry. She also holds a special place in her heart for the Models as Muse Met Gala since some of her own work was being commemorated, so the entire event really hit home for her.
But at 2004’s Gala, she arrived in this Maggie Norris Couture corset and John Galliano skirt that really nailed the "Dangerous Liaisons" theme. In no other place in the modern world would this look make sense than the Met Gala…
Even for the Met, this is a mess of a dress.
Carey Mulligan
This isn't Carey Mulligan's typical kind of red carpet look. This Prada frock might seem strange at first, but when the theme is camp, there's no such thing as too much. "The Great Gatsby" actor enrobed an elegant evening gown made out of various fabrics and textures.
With red rhinestones coating the whole dress and a large black satin... thing attached at the hip, the pink sash was really needed in order to somehow tie the whole look together, and Carey Mulligan looks great in it. It's not your typical look, and that's what the Met Gala is here for.
We love this look and this Carey's risk paid off.
Scarlett Johansson
As one of the highest-paid actresses in the world, Scarlett didn't have to save money on a Met Gala dress. In 2018, she decided to spoil herself with a Marchesa ombré gown. The dark wine-red gown works beautifully with Johansson's dark pixie cut, and every makeup detail from the eyes to the lips complements the whole ensemble.
This off-shoulder look is a favorite of the "Black Widow" actress, and it's easy to see why. As one of Hollywood's leading ladies, she knows what she's doing! While this look has a lot going on, Johansson topped it off with simple accessories and let the attention fall where it was meant to.
The dress is cool, but we can't say it's art.
Jennifer Lopez
Everyone knows her as Jenny From the Block, but she has also been Jenny from the stairs a number of times at the Met Gala's red carpet events. That was especially true in 2023 when Jennifer Lopez attended the annual event in a sophisticated and sexy dress from Ralph Lauren. The star donned a pink-and-black frock with a velour cutout core and a slightly risky halter neck that flowed into floor-sweeping tails.
The lower part of the dress consisted of a blush-colored silky skirt with a slight train. The "On the Floor" singer accessorized with a gothic headpiece that included a sculpted fishnet detailing, black velvet gloves, and studded flower earrings. She kept her makeup pretty simple with a pair of smokey eyes and nude lips. JLo got a lot of positive feedback for the look, and it's clear to see where that came from.
This risky (and risque) look certainly worked.
Kylie Jenner
Times change. The little black dress just doesn’t cut it as a revenge look anymore. Now, the ultimate revenge look is the “naked dress.” That’s right. Celebrities are baring it all in the limelight to get their 15 minutes of revenge-worthy fame. Kylie Jenner showed up to the Met Gala in a luxurious Versace dress that was almost completely see-through. The dress was embellished with delicate beading and showed off Kylie’s amazing figure.
She was in between relationships when she attended the Met, having just broken up with Tyga. While rumors were swirling that she had started dating Travis Scott, nothing was confirmed. Kylie was enjoying her singledom in this stunning Met Gala dress. Donatella Versace herself even accompanied Kylie on the red carpet. It doesn’t get any more glam than that.
The outfit is gorgeous, and Kylie looks like a model.
Zoë Kravitz
Modern-day revenge looks seem to follow a certain trend. First off, many revenge looks debut at the illustrious Met Gala, which has turned into THE red carpet event for celebrities to see and be seen. Second, celebrities aren’t afraid to let it all hang out when getting dressed for sweet, sweet revenge. Zoë Kravitz did not come to mess around when she donned this scandalous YSL dress at the 2021 Met Gala.
Kravitz had filed for divorce from her husband, Karl Glusman, in early 2021. Not only did she make this post-divorce appearance in a completely see-through chainmail outfit, but she also attended with a new beau on her arm. Attending one of the top fashion events of the year with an impeccable body and a hot guy sounds like pretty great revenge to us, Zoë.
We have to admit, this looks like a work of art.
Kendall Jenner
Kendall had all our hearts aflutter in this bright orange Versace gown. She wore this one-of-a-kind look to the 2019 Met Gala, which was no easy feat. Orange isn’t always the best color to wear on the red carpet because it can wash some people out. However, Kendall knew what she was doing when she wore this feathered ensemble.
The semi-sheer, sequined dress was framed by an affluent arch of feathers that framed her face and left arm. The hem of the dress was also covered in orange feathers, making her look like a royal bird of paradise. She attended solo. Honestly, any date on her arm would have paled in comparison.
The jury is out; Kendall looks like a fashion sketch brought to life.
Kim Kardashian
If we’ve learned anything about Kim Kardashian over the years, it’s to expect the unexpected. Fans and haters alike were waiting with bated breath to see what the reality star would wear to the 2021 Met Gala, especially because she had filed for divorce from Kanye West earlier that year. To everyone’s shock and delight, Kim went in an unexpected direction and showed up in a 100% matte black bodysuit. Even her face, head, and feet were completely covered in black fabric.
Balenciaga designed the look, and fans speculated that the male figure who attended with her was Kanye himself. Alas, it was actually the brand’s creative director, Demna Gvasalia. Kim’s look definitely created a buzz and stole the show, which is exactly what she wanted amidst her very public breakup with Kanye.
This was too pretentious for us, sorry Kim.
Rihanna
Has Rihanna ever had a bad moment on the red carpet? We'll leave that to you to decide. In 2021, when the star was accompanied by her partner A$AP Rocky at the Met Gala, there were a lot of mixed reviews about the pair's attire on that night. Rihanna wore an all-black Balenciaga number (which sparked rumors of a hidden baby bump under the poofy gown), but it was Rocky's technicolor ERL quilt (on the right) that got the whole world talking.
Not only did "Fashion Killa" himself outshine the queen on the red carpet, but he did so with a multicolored blanket that looked like it was stolen from his grandmother's house. But hey, if his ability to outdo "bad girl Riri" on her own turf isn't worthy of a round of applause, then we don't know what is.
There's just no other way — Rihanna turns anything into a walking masterpiece.
La La Anthony
The Met Gala is one of the biggest fashion events of the year. Each red carpet gives celebs an opportunity to send a message through their avant-garde fashion choices. La La Anthony did just that when she attended solo in 2017. She showed up without her husband, NBA player Carmelo Anthony, in a showstopping black gown.
The dress, designed by Thai Nguyen Atelier, was completely sheer and embellished with delicate crystal veins and a tiered skirt. This see-through dress is not for the faint of heart, but La La was up to the challenge. “Unbreakable #metgala,” she captioned her Instagram post featuring the gorgeous revenge dress.
This look is a 10/10.
Zendaya
Joan of Arc, who? Zendaya made quite an entrance wearing Versace to the 2018 Met Gala, which was themed "Heavenly Bodies." The actress clearly channeled the patron saint of France in a striking chain metal dress, which featured custom-molded panels and a long, dramatic train.
To complete the look, Zendaya styled her hair in a cropped red bob with baby bangs, perfectly capturing the essence of the iconic warrior. The result was a look that was both daring and inspiring and demonstrated Zendaya's fearlessness when it comes to fashion. With her undeniable talent and unique sense of style, it's no wonder that Zendaya is considered one of the most influential fashion icons of our time.
We honestly think Zendaya pulled this one off.
Margot Robbie
The Met Gala is the ultimate “who’s who” of fashion events. Celebrities pull out all the stops to craft the best outfit possible around the event’s theme. Margot Robbie attended her first Met Gala in 2014 and definitely nailed it. The event celebrated American designer Charles James, who was known for classic glamor and feminine silhouettes.
Robbie’s custom Prada look is definitely classic and elegant. The sheer organza top and geometric patterned skirt worked together to create a dreamy but structured look. The vintage high neckline is modernized with the see-through top, making the whole outfit look sexy and chic.
But is it art? Unfortunately not.
Kendall Jenner
Kendall Jenner is easily one of the most well-known celebrities. She is known for her modeling and her appearances on "Keeping Up With the Kardashians." She has accomplished so much over the years. She has become one of the world’s hottest top models and has even been seen on the cover of the popular magazine Vogue.
Here, she was seen on the red carpet in a gown that left very little to the imagination. While it complimented her well, we have to wonder if she had any wardrobe malfunctions throughout the evening.
We think Kendall totally pulled this look off.
Anna Wintour
We have to admit that we expect a lot from the woman known as Vogue's editor-in-chief. While the Met's theme changes every year, Anna Wintour usually chooses to go with something classic. And it was no different when she attended the event this particular year. It also goes without saying that the star is an unrivaled icon in the fashion industry.
Her cape makes her look like a high-fashion bird. She always wears a Chanel couture dress, and her hair is always in a bob. But at least in 2019, she gave us a little more, which makes sense with a theme like "Camp." Wintour has also served as the chairwoman of the Met Gala event since way back in 1995, so we think she kind of has a pass to wear whatever she pleases, even if she looks like a bird.
Given that this is Anna Freakin' Wintour, we'll say that this is a work of art.
Gigi Hadid
Model Gigi Hadid seemed to be channeling a bit of French maid with this odd Tommy Hilfiger look that combines a choppy, nude-colored dress with black fishnet thigh-highs. The whole thing just screamed “mess” and landed her on several worst-dressed lists from the event.
Of course, there were a few people who thought the dress, sans the fishnets, looked appealing. We aren’t sure if it’s the actual dress that caused all the controversy or the color tones, which clearly didn’t work too well with the star’s hair and skin tone. Maybe, just maybe, the same dress with a few shades darker would have been a better fit.
This look just has too much going on for it to work.
Selena Gomez
This look that the singer and actress Selena Gomez wore to 2018’s Met Gala event scored her a shameful place in many of the year's worst-dressed lists. Not only was it considered a failure, but it has also sparked some controversy.
Many complained that her tan and makeup made her look as if she was from a different ethnicity. While the dress is not great, it isn't as bad as the hair and makeup. Some critics even bashed the star, claiming that she went through a horrible “tanning failure.” Yikes! Selena is a natural beauty, and we're sure her next Met Gala look is going to be spectacular.
We hate to say it, but everyone knows that this look missed the mark.
Sarah Jessica Parker
Sarah Jessica Parker’s 2006 fusion dress was a perfect choice for the Met Gala theme: "Anglomania: Tradition and Transgression in British Fashion." The outfit was designed by the legendary Alexander McQueen and looked just like something her character, Carrie Bradshaw, would wear to go out on the town in the streets of New York in her iconic series and movies "Sex and the City."
It was most definitely a controversial frock, but we think it was pulled off quite nicely. SJP rarely lets us down with her Met Gala attire, and this year was certainly no different. It’s been noted as one of her best of all time, according to "Allure" magazine.
It's wacky, but it's pretty artistic.
Gigi Hadid
Gigi Hadid made an extra bold statement when she attended the 2022 Met Gala. She paraded a somewhat seductive and overly striking Versace ensemble. The supermodel wore a deep red outfit that consisted of a boned corset over a skintight latex jumpsuit, which was topped off with a massively voluminous and oversized puffer jacket.
She finished the look with knee-high boots and, before we forget, the matching neckpiece to go with it. The whole look was really daring and landed her on a lot of best and worst-dressed lists. From us, she gets a bonus point for taking such a huge risk, which we think kind of worked out in her favor in the end.
We won't call this one a masterpiece, but it's art for sure.
Emily Ratajkowski
The "My Body" author and supermodel Emily Ratajkowski took a chance on the archives when she attended the Met Gala in 2022. She instantly turned a lot of heads as she arrived at the party in a multicolored and textured dress that went perfectly with the "Gilded Glamour" theme of the party.
The dress came from the 1992 Versace archive, and the key elements are a beaded bodice with a high front and a low front skirt. She wore her hair in a high bun to accentuate the look and fully show off the details of the neckline. Ratajkowiski clearly has a thing for bold entries, and she did not disappoint at that year's Met Gala.
This look tried too hard and ultimately flopped.
Katy Perry
Katy Perry arrived in this fitted black and gold Prada gown. The dress is pretty lovely, but it’s the hair and makeup that throw the look off. With the combination of a beehive and black lipstick, it’s hard to want to nominate her for any best-dressed awards.
In fact, the getup landed her on several worst-of lists. Perry is no stranger to taking risks when it comes to over-the-top fashion, and this may be one of those occasions that the risk didn’t work out in her favor. Oops!
She's had some artistic looks, but this wasn't one of them.
Kylie Jenner
Memes started streaming around the internet when Kylie Jenner's 2022 Met Gala look was revealed to the world. She wore a wedding-ready voluminous white gown from Italian luxury brand Off-White, which featured a sheer corset bodice and ruffled skirt on the bottom half.
She also wore chandelier earnings and see-through stilettos, and the one thing that wasn't exactly approved by the internet was her white baseball cap and its attached veil. Besides the silly cap, it also looked like her outfit was inspired by a wedding. Who was she going to marry on the red carpet that night? We don't know either, but as one of the glamorous girls that she is, we expected something better.
None of this worked. None of it.
Kendall Jenner
Kendall Jenner sported one of her most dramatic looks when she attended the Met Gala in 2023. She ravished the "no-pants" trend with a glitzy black fully sequined Marc Jacobs bodysuit. The statement piece also included a glimmery silver collar and extra long sleeves with white lining that trailed behind the star like a cape as she worked the red carpet.
Her lace-up platform boots were a nice touch to the whole look, and with a look like that, you can't go wrong with a high ponytail to accentuate all the features. Despite the fact that we like this look, Jenner received a lot of mixed reviews from critics and fans alike.
We want to love this, but it just looks a bit too trashy.
Blake Lively
If there is a blonde beauty who knows how to make an entrance, then we rate that it's got to be Blake Lively. Standing out in the Met Gala crowd is no easy undertaking, but the star caught everyone's eye at the 2022 red carpet event thanks to the dramatic dress she donned on the evening. The dress code was "Gilded Glamour," and Lively, who was on the team of the hosts for the evening, went in an Atelier Versace design inspired by NYC.
Miraculously, the star's dress underwent a major transformation on the steps, as the bow was lost to reveal a stunning blue train. That wasn't the only change that happened to her outfit. She also lost her golden gloves to reveal blue gloves. It was an absolute theatrical outfit transformation that got raving reviews from many onlookers, including us.
Masterpiece. Exquisite. Not enough compliments in the world.
Jared Leto
Jared Leto never rarely disappoints when he hit red-carpet events, and when he attended the 2023 Met Gala, it was another wow moment for the star. In honoring the late legendary Karl Lagerfeld, Leto wore a life-size cat costume that resembled the designer's cat — Choupette. The feline fashion look at first confused onlookers, but when he removed the cat headpiece to reveal his identity, it was an a-ha moment for everyone.
Nobody could have pulled a stunt like this better than Leto himself! Later on in the evening, the star fully removed the suit to reveal another dazzling outfit. This time, it was a lot tamer as he sported an all-black ensemble. We love Leto and his daring fashion moves, and besides that, who doesn't love to see a cat on the red carpet?!
This was cute, but certainly not art.
Anne Hathaway
"The Devil Wears Prada" star Anne Hathaway slayed on the annual Met Gala's red carpet in 2023. As a nod to Karl Lagerfeld, the star wore a body-hugging cream gown made of tweed by Versace. Tweed was, of course, one of the late designers' most used fabrics throughout his career in fashion.
The strapless number included voluptuous cutouts on the torso, with one opening extending into a thigh-high slit. The cutouts were held in place by Versace's iconic safety pins. The star is accessorized with matching opera gloves, a lavishing diamond choker by Bulgari, and white platforms. Anne looked mighty fine in this feminine and stunning piece, and from us, it's an undoubted yes!
Anne stunned in this look, hands down.
Kim Petras
A long braid ponytail, a giant floral dress, and the big ol' horse head. If there's one thing that screams "America" at the 2021 Met Gala, it was probably the ludicrous outfit that Kim Petras donned to the event. Sadly, she didn't wear any horse-inspired shoes to go "clompity clomp" on the red carpet, but everything else about her outfit was rather horsey to us.
The star was accompanied by her dear friend Hillary Taymour, a creative director who was also in charge of the equine look. Taymour also wore a matching headhorse, and the two made a rather funny appearance on the red carpet. Of course, Petras received a lot of mixed reviews for this look, which we totally get, but we secretly love the whole equine vibe she had going on... YEEHAW partner!
What we can't say, however, is that this is a work of art.
Bad Bunny
Bad Bunny always knows how to put on a showstopper when attending red-carpet events, and the rapper and singer's appearance at the 2023 Met Gala was no different. For one of fashion's biggest nights ever, the star wore a monochrome white tweed suit with a bold open back from designer Jacquemus. He paired this look with leather platform derby shoes and a slick hairstyle, which was a contrasting look compared to his usual hairstyle.
He accessorized with a 26-foot all-white rosette cape. We love the femme and masculine elements that he brought together so simply. The whole sleek vibe was a far cry from his Met Gala debut the year before, in which he wore a Burberry boilersuit and an actual bouffant hairpiece. We definitely think that the star gave a better look at 2023's event!
Listen, it's not terrible, though it's hardly high fashion.
Florence Pugh
Florence Pugh got a lot of eyes on her when she headed to the 2023 Met Gala. The star's look was made up of a sleek white gown featuring a plunging neckline and an open back feature. The Valentino custom gown was held together with a delicate black tulle bow, and it had a long train that flawlessly flowed down the Metropolitan Museum of Art's steps.
It didn't stop there, though. She also donned a towering headpiece, elegantly fitted with black feathers, which was the cherry on top of the whole look. Another thing that got the star a lot of looks was probably the fact that she debuted a buzz cut for the first time.
We're going to have to say that this missed the mark.
Zendaya
Zendaya nailed her look for the 2015 Gala, which had the theme of "China: Through the Looking Glass." She looked gorgeous in an interesting and embellished Fausto Puglisi dress, which featured sun designs against the skirt, along with a simple pair of black stilettos. It's outfits like these that make all the crazy ones a bit more bearable to look at.
Her long hair topped with a matching crown-like headband was the icing on the cake. Jessica Alba could take a few notes from Zendaya about how to pick an outfit to walk the stairs at the Metropolitan Museum of Art!
The jury is out – this look is a winner.
Lil Nas X
The music star Lil Nas X turned up the wow factor on the Met Gala red carpet in 2023. Most guests of the event wore stunning vintage pieces to honor the late Karl Lagerfeld, but Lil Nas took on a more outrageous approach. To be frank, he didn't even wear much except for a booty-baring men's thong from Dior and a pair of platform boots, but despite the lack of garments, he still looked fabulous.
The star paraded the carpet with silver metallic body paint covering just about every exposed bit of skin, encrusted with crystals and pearls. He finished off the look with a cat-esque mask, which mostly came from the cat whiskers. Was it a nod to Karl Lagerfeld's kitty? Probably. We love this look and allude to the star for his innovation when it comes to being an odd one out at such an iconic event.
It's bold. It's daring. It's... a bit of a mess, honestly.
Pedro Pascal
At the 2023 Met Gala event, Pedro Pascal attended in style with his Valentino attire, which may have broken some fashion laws according to some fashion heads. "The Last of Us" star gave some real school-core vibes in his schoolboy socks and shorts that he paired with lace-up boots, a dreamy red structured coat, a power stache, and a slicked-back hairdo.
It was a lot, but he certainly managed to execute the whole thing beautifully. This look also certainly brought about a lot of talk regarding the actor's newfound hero status. It was maybe a tad controversial, yes, but it also worked so well, so we give the star a big yes for this 2023 Met Gala look!
Pedro's BIG fashion risk paid off, as far as we're concerned.
Lupita Nyong'o
It was pretty clear that Lupita Nyong'o and her team brought their A-game in 2021 when the star attended the Met Gala. It was difficult for onlookers to miss this look that included an epic hairstyle and a fabulous Versace Jeans Couture number. The star claimed that she got inspo for her denim dress from Versace's 90's Jeans Couture collection.
It would be an absolute disservice to not mention the star's multiple diamond rings from De Beers, which, by the way, one of them was 10.31 carats! Everything about her look complemented the "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" theme, with its intense glamor yet playful elements that married together perfectly for the occasion.
'Denim' and 'art' usually aren't synonymous, but we think this one hit the mark.
Tessa Thompson
Tessa Thompson swung into action on the 2021 Met Gala red carpet. The dress was one of Iris van Herpen's works of art. As you can see, it was an intricately designed piece with a futuristic edge, including a combination of metallics, lace, and some translucent fabrics.
The "Thor: Ragnarok" star paired the flowy dress with a pair of knee-high boots that almost resembled something out of a western flick, except for the tiny heel. She was accessorized with minimal jewelry and a black woven cowboy hat. The whole look was simple but, at the same time, complex, so we've got to give it to the star for managing to pull something like that off.
Undoubtedly a work of art. Thompson slayed this look.
Serena Williams
Serena Williams described her 2021 Met Gala as "Superhero-inspired." One does have to admit that she does look sort of like an otherworldly creature with her feather-laden cape, which blended from white to pink and red hues and ended up with black at the bottom. Underneath the fluffy cape, she wore a silver bodysuit from Gucci that was adorned with red stars.
The tennis icon's hair and makeup were pretty toned down compared to the rest of her look, which gave way for her outfit to shine, and she accessorized with a silver handbag that matched her platform heels. She absolutely rocked the "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" theme out of the park!
Even though she looks great, the look is a bit too over the top for it to be a work of art.
Priyanka Chopra
In 2017, Priyanka Chopra made her Met Gala debut. The Hollywood and Bollywood icon graced the carpets with a tailored Ralph Lauren trench coat dress. It had an extended train that most certainly got the star a lot of gasps of admiration. She was bejeweled in a pair of dramatic earrings and a weighty ring.
The 2000 Miss World pageant winner wore minimal yet effective makeup with black-heeled boots. The star's ensemble was a high state of style and grace, and her entrance alongside Nick Jonas definitely caused a big stir (as they had just started dating back then), but her stunning outfit was the actual thing that got everyone talking!
Everything about this worked.
Haley Bennet
"The Girl on the Train" actress Haley Bennet is known for wearing peculiar outfits to red-carpet events, and we love that for her! At the 2017 Met Gala, the star rocked a theatrical floral headpiece, which pretty much consisted of an entire bouquet of faux flowers. The spectacular headpiece matched her lacey floral dress.
The star embraced the avant-garde theme beautifully in her Dolce and Gabbana piece. The only thing that may have let her look down a bit was perhaps her granny curls, which gave the 29-year-old at the time a few extra years. Besides that aspect, we pretty much think that every other aspect of her look, including her makeup, was top-notch!
This look is classy and she looks like a painting.
Olivia Wilde
The director and star of "Don't Worry Darling" took a vintage approach to the Met Gala in 2023. Olivia Wilde wore a classical Chloé dress designed by Lagerfeld. The evening paid tribute to the iconic Karl Lagerfeld, and this little number definitely paid its dues to the theme, but we can't help but wonder if the original black, shorter version of the dress would have done more justice to the theme.
For some reason, this one seems a bit out of place at this event. The outfit was from a 1983 spring collection, which was entirely inspired by the shape of a violin. As one can see, the instrument is shaped in gold over the chest area. That's fine, but we aren't sure what relevance the violin holds at this occasion.
It's a fine outfit, but it isn't achieving that couture look that it's going for.
Gigi Hadid
2019's Met Gala theme of "Camp" was really open for interpretation for most and definitely caused confusion for some, but Gigi Hadid went big and channeled her inner ice queen on this special evening. The supermodel bedecked the carpet in a catsuit of white, silver, and gold-streaked tones with a matching headpiece and platform shoes.
Her coat consisted of the same fabric as her catsuit, but it was adorned with white feathery bits. The look was put together by Michael Kors, who was also the star's date for the evening. Hadid went even further with her makeup as she wore elongated white eyelashes to create an over-the-top look. The star clearly has a thing for creating dramatic red carpet looks, as we have seen more than once, so we have to give it to her for her courageousness!
This, unfortunately, looks like a paper mache project more than a masterpiece.
Dua Lipa
For the singer Dua Lipa's second Met Gala event in 2023, she opted for something classic. The predominantly white tweed dress with hints of black by Chanel resembled a ballgown dress that Claudia Schiffer sported for the fashion brand in 1992's fall. The singer exemplified this chic vintage look, which definitely paid homage to the "Karl Lagerfeld" theme, with Tiffany & Co. diamonds set in a necklace.
The pendant paid homage to Audrey Hepburn, Lady Gaga, Mary Whitehouse, and Beyonce, who had similarly adorned yellow diamonds in the past. So, just as much as the dress was a part of history, so was her jewelry. The whole look affirmed Dua Lipa's status as a fashion icon.
It's simple and elegant, and Dua looks like royalty.
Rihanna
Rihanna is the kind of woman who knows how to pull off a look, no matter how insane it is. In this case, the dress and the hat look like they weigh more than the Barbadian singer herself. She wore a jewel and pearl-encrusted dress, with matching miter and necklace, hoop earrings by Mari Tash, other jewelry pieces by Cartier, and of course Christian Louboutin shoes.
The whole look was put together by Maison Margiela, which marked the first time that the singer paraded this designer to the Met Gala. But the seasoned performer totally nailed 2018's theme, Catholic Imagination.