Mirror, mirror on the wall, who was the dandiest of them all?
The 2025 Met Gala red carpet has come and gone in rainy New York City on May 5, but the memories of the bold and beautiful outfits worn by the stars, to fit with the “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” theme, are forever.
Meticulously planned by Vogue editor in chief Anna Wintour, the event boasted A$AP Rocky, Pharrell Williams, Colman Domingo and Lewis Hamilton as its sharp-dressed cochairs, and they all brought their A-game style.
It was a night of high fashion, featuring tailored styling for men and women with grand capes, stylish hats, elaborate headpieces and flashy walking sticks giving extra flair. For some of the ladies, it was a night of minimalism — in the bottoms department.
Very few celebrities didn’t stand out in the crowd, as they were outfitted by the top fashion houses and dressed to thrill, thanks to their glam squads. Here are the looks we loved — and then some.
Best dressed: Zendaya
A Met Gala pro, the Euphoria actress looked white hot in a sleek custom three-piece white Louis Vuitton suit and tie, which flattered in every way. The topper was a wide-brim hat, which she coyly peeked out from. Her stylist, Law Roach, said the outfit was inspired by Bianca Jagger’s bridal suit when she married Rolling Stones frontman Mick in 1971, and wild horses couldn’t drag it away from our list of faves.
Biggest newsmaker: Rihanna
Ahead of the gala, the singer/designer announced she’s expecting her third child with A$AP Rocky, making for the biggest news of the night. When she finally arrived, late of course, Ri not only showcased her pregnancy, but did so while keeping on theme in a Marc Jacobs menswear-inspired look featuring a gray corset, black bolero jacket, oversize black hat and maroon dot scarf. The bottom appeared to be a striped suit jacket with the arms tied in the back, making it look like a bustle, proving she can wear anything, pregnant or not.
Worst trend of the night: So many pantsless stars
We know it’s a lot to put these looks together, but some ladies seemed to have given up halfway through. Sabrina Carpenter, Taraji P. Henson, Hailey Bieber, Blackpink’s Lisa, Cynthia Erivo and Pharrell Williams’s wife Helen Lasichanh all hopped on the no-pants bandwagon, which left us feeling that something was missing.
Meanwhile, Lisa’s look is possibly controversial for another reason. There’s speculation that the image of civil rights activist Rosa Parks is embroidered on the Louis Vuitton lingerie.
Most fabulous entrance: Diana Ross
Ms. Ross gets endless love for her head-turning arrival, marking her first time at the gala in over 20 years. The 81-year-old needed the help of many handlers — at least six, plus her son Evan Ross — to properly spread out her 18-foot white train, which featured her children and grandchildren’s names embroidered on it. It was hard to top that, but Ross did with her silver sparkly gown and giant feather hat.
Best carpet transformation: Colman Domingo
The cochair had us at his blue pleated papal robe with fancy-schmancy bolero when he arrived, and kept us when, midway through the carpet, he uncloaked to unveil his tailored black-and-white checked jacket, pleated front pants with an oversize polka dot flower on his lapel. Both Valentino looks were something to Sing Sing about, and we love a fashion fluid moment.
Most on theme (at the gala and all the time): Janelle Monáe
Met or no Met, the singer has long rocked dandy style, so this was her time to shine — and shine she did. Monáe told the New York Times she came up with a character for this year’s event, a “time-traveling dandy,” and the design was made in collaboration with Oscar winner Paul Tazewell and designer Thom Browne. On the carpet, she dramatically removed an oversize red, white and black cape to reveal her more form-fitting suit, and incorporated elements of time, including a clock monocle that hung from her hat and a watch, into her look.
Most daring: Halle Berry
The actress went with a showstopper — and without undergarments — at her first gala since 2017. The LaQuan Smith dress had sheer stripes that made for a dangerous game: Is that Halle Berry’s…? Luckily it seems that a wardrobe malfunction was averted because that’s the kind of pro she is. And hat’s off — in her case, a Jennifer Behr headpiece — to that.
Worst for letting anyone get near you: Demi Moore
The actress always looks like a billion bucks, and her Thom Browne gown, which took 7,600 hours to make using more than 1.4 millions beads, is a work of art. It also seemingly made for awkward party attire because the neck part of the tie-inspired dress formed a giant circle around the Academy Award nominee’s head. Some of her red carpet pics seemed a little awkward and we can’t imagine having to maneuver around the party, packed with people and priceless art, with that halo overhead.
Most debated on social: Chappell Roan
Social media has strong opinions about whether the “Pink Pony Club” singer’s very glam rock look — magenta suit with matching pink face makeup and silver eye shadow — was spot on or a fail at her first Met Gala. Some commenters insist that it’s “absolutely in theme,” while others felt it was just something random she pulled out of her closet. What’s not in debate? It’s very David Bowie.
Best attention to detail: Teyana Taylor
The actress/singer, who cohosted Vogue’s livestream, tapped two-time Oscar-winning costume designer Ruth E. Carter to design her outfit, and it was one with a lot of symbolism. Taylor’s look featured a three-piece pinstripe zoot suit along with a red cape featuring the words “Harlem rose,” a nod to where she was born and her 2018 song “Rose in Harlem.” Taylor also wore a feather-adorned top hat with a scarf beneath it, carried a cane and rocked some seriously high platforms.
Most surprising accessories: André 3000
André 3000 walked the red carpet wearing a Burberry jumpsuit and red hat with a baby grand piano strapped to his back while carrying a trash bag. The ivories, which weighed 30 pounds, are a nod to the surprise EP 7 Piano Sketches, which he announced he dropped the same day. The story behind the trash bag and its contents remains a mystery.
Coolest couple: Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz
The pair, who were married 15 years ago, were inspired to coordinate their looks on the carpet. A collaboration between Moncler x EE72 by Edward Enninful, they both wore suits, but Keys’s was a more feminine style, featuring a bustier, and she carried a puffy cape. They were in sync up to their heads with Keys wearing a beaded headpiece and Beatz sporting a complementary durag.
Most forgettable: Kim Kardashian
Hey, Kim — Is that you under that hat? Since the reality star scored her first Met Gala invite in 2013, she’s always been one to watch on the carpet, whether it was her all-over floral pregnancy look or her unforgettable decision to squeeze herself into Marilyn Monroe’s iconic dress. This year, in an all-black leather Chrome Hearts look (plus plenty of gems amid the Paris robbery trial), it just feels less memorable than years past. Maybe part of it is that you can barely see her face under that Carmen Sandiego-size hat.
