This year’s Met Gala theme was a tricky one — Black Dandyism — and the invitation didn’t come with any instructions. Guests were mostly left to their own devices to interpret what exactly that meant on the red carpet. And boy, did some of them interpret, with jaw-dropping looks ascending the Met’s 154-foot staircase.
Still, it was almost as if Anna Wintour had sent out a secret group chat (she didn’t, unless Jeffrey Goldberg knows something), with outfits following some very clear themes. Many women arrived with gleaming, Joesphine Baker-style marcel waves, while a lot of men sported glossy hair, top hats and tails that trailed like wedding trains. Everybody carried accessories galore — including one that looked suspiciously like a large garbage bag.
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Below, the wildest (some might say weirdest) trends of the 2025 Met Gala …
TALONS & TAILORINGClaws were out. Literally. Cynthia Erivo’s acrylic nails took two days to complete. Ego Nwodim matched her button-themed manicure to her jacket. Sabrina Carpenter had “LV” logos etched onto hers, while Lizzo coordinated tuxedo-style nail art to her Siriano mermaid gown. Dwyane Wade and Chappell Roan both went neon. Nail art has clearly entered its maximalist era.
HAIR SPACEMarcel waves were practically mandatory. Sydney Sweeney, Quinta Brunson, Serena Williams, Lana Del Rey and Dua Lipa all channeled Josephine Baker with slicked-down waves and kiss curls. But some stars broke the mold: Natasha Lyonne and Ciara rocked massive hair sculptures. Anne Hathaway did a towering ponytail; Miley Cyrus unveiled a sculptural braid. Lizzo, meanwhile, channeled Marilyn Monroe with platinum pin-up curls.
EXTREME ACCESSORIES André 3000 showed up with a grand piano backpack and, yes, a trash bag. Olivier Rousteing lugged a literal sewing machine. Madonna puffed a lit cigar. Teyana Taylor designed her own towering red hat with Ruth E. Carter. Mary J. Blige wore Stephen Jones’ golden bone headpiece. Bad Bunny’s gloves were bejeweled, his Prada bag balloon-like.
PUFFS & CAPESDramatic outerwear stole the carpet. Ciara wore a pink puffer gown. Alicia Keys brought a quilted wrap. Tracee Ellis Ross piled on volume with a Marc Jacobs jumpsuit and matching hat. Diana Ross’ Ugo Mozie cape was practically planetary. Rihanna, pregnant again, wore a Marc Jacobs corset suit with an oversized back bow and a baby bump in front.
BEADED, BEDAZZLED AND BEWILDERED Pearls and beads were everywhere. Pharrell wore a Louis Vuitton pearl tux. Ayo Edebiri’s Ferragamo shirtdress shimmered with crimson beads. Demi Moore’s Thom Browne “tie dress” was stitched with 1.4 million beads. One bad snag, and someone might have rolled down the Met steps.
MAD HATTERSHeadgear abounded: jeweled crowns, veils, top hats, even necktie-themed headpieces like Demi Moore’s. Regina King, Lewis Hamilton, Zendaya and Teyana Taylor all embraced eccentric toppers. No head went bare.
SKIN STILL INDespite the tailoring theme, skin still made cameos. Sydney Sweeney and Kylie Jenner showed major cleavage. Kerry Washington sported visible panty line. Lorde wore a shiny gray bra top with a Thom Browne suit. Sabrina Carpenter and Hailey Bieber went full bodysuit. Pants, apparently, were optional.
PRESTO CHANGOF1 star Damson Idris stole the show with a Tommy Hilfiger race suit and sequined helmet that transformed into a three-piece red suit. Colman Domingo also did a quick change, switching from a checkerboard look to mega-sized blue cap with large gold ecclesiastical collar.
MOST EXTREME MAKEOVERWalton Goggins, the unexpected thirst trap of the new White Lotus season, showed up in an inside-out Thom Browne skirt suit and long duster coat. A swing and a miss? Perhaps. But points for risk.
