The first Monday of May always promises a bit of excitement for Met Gala attendees and onlookers alike. An air of anticipation surrounds the event as guests fully lean into its designated theme or decide to play it safe. Either look is open to critique from the biggest names in fashion and entertainment, as well as judgment from the rest of us surveying the thousand-dollar looks from the comfort of our couches.
Attendees offered multiple interpretations of this theme, despite the irony (or commentary?) of the Met Gala’s $35,000 invites. Some wore bustiers, gold accents, and frocks, while others pulled up in getups that, while show-stopping, didn’t align with the era. See our 10 favorite looks of the night ahead.
Billie Eilish
Billie Eilish showed out in Gucci as usual, although her look was anything but routine. The singer channeled the extravagance of the Gilded Age with a champagne-colored corset gown complete with a bustle, lace sleeves, and floral and feather details — all of which were made from deadstock fabric for a modern (or vintage?) twist.
Bad Bunny
Met Gala menswear nearly always consists of the same black-and-white tux, but Bad Bunny was one of the few who decided to step out in theme. For his first appearance at the fashion event, the singer wore a cream Burberry boilersuit, pairing the look with matching leather derby shoes and old-fashioned spectacles.
Bella Hadid
Bella Hadid looked dressed down for an event with the theme “Gilded Glamour,” wearing a sultry black Burberry gown with a leather corset, mesh evening gloves, sheer lace tights, and a thigh high split. Her look seemed to nod to the excessive under-layering of the Gilded Age — and perhaps the era’s rampant prostitution — while details like a voluminous updo and flushed cheeks finished off the fit.
Kaia Gerber
Dressed in a delicate Alexander McQueen gown built of sheer panels and silver sequins, Kaia Gerber looked breathtaking on the Met Gala carpet. The model’s outfit fit well into the event’s dress code, but it was her hair that really complemented the look. Dangling curls, pinned up by a pair of diamante barrettes, called back to Pre-Raphaelite paintings and noblewomen like Lady Godiva.
Lenny Kravitz
Lenny Kravitz looked glamorous as ever at the Met Gala without sacrificing his signature rockstar style. To contrast the delicate lace bodice he wore up top, the singer flaunted leather trousers complete with a cinched waist and silver buttons. A sheer lace cape and stacked cross pendants made the look as edgy as it was elegant.
Paloma Elsesser
Model Paloma Elsesser paid tribute to the Gilded Age’s elaborate underwear with a white silk Coach corset, which she layered over a lacy slip skirt. The look, specifically the bottom half, was crafted from repurposed ‘30s dresses to add to the vintage feel of the outfit. Elsesser finished off the fit with a stacked pearl choker for extra elegance.
Evan Mock
In a cream corseted suit and tulip-collar shirt, Evan Mock more than understood the “Gilded Glamour” dress code. His look, from Gen Z brand Head of State, leaned into the feminine silhouettes of the theme with delicate silver details and low-waisted pants. Black patent shoes rounded out the actor’s fit.
Rosalía
Rosalía arrived to the Met Gala in a lavish Givenchy dress featuring ivory crystals, beads, silk ruffles, and tulle. Puffy sleeves and an elongated train helped add to the glamorous look, while leather platform boots and black sunglasses added a touch of the singer’s own style.
Franklin Leonard
Like many other male attendees, film executive Franklin Leonard donned a suit to the Met Gala, although his iteration sported blue accents and a bustle jacket. The statement-making silhouette played perfectly into the event’s theme, and Leonard kept the look from going too bold with gray pinstripe pants.
Blake Lively
As one of the hosts of the evening, Blake Lively made sure to pull up in a dress that wouldn’t disappoint. Her Versace outfit paid tribute to New York City in a number of ways: At first, the dress featured an extravagant bow and rose gold tone inspired by Manhattan’s architecture and the Empire State Building.