Time to Discuss the 2025 Met Gala Theme and Dress Code

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The 2025 Met Gala will be here before you know it, trust. Back in October, Vogue first announced its 2025 co-chairs, who are none other than *drumroll, pls*: Colman Domingo, Lewis Hamilton, A$AP Rocky, Pharrell Williams, and (ofc) Anna Wintour. As the outlet put it, this year’s gala is all about “exploring the indelible style of Black men” and “as such, the 2025 chairs could not be more fitting.”

Vogue also announced its honorary chair for the evening in NBA star LeBron James, as well as the host committee, which includes André 3000, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Jordan Casteel, Dapper Dan, Doechii, Ayo Edebiri, Edward Enninful, Jeremy O. Harris, Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, Rashid Johnson, Spike Lee and Tonya Lewis Lee, Audra McDonald, Janelle Monáe, Jeremy Pope, Angel Reese, Sha’Carri Richardson, Tyla, Usher, and Kara Walker.

The latest info revealed: the highly anticipated dress code, “Tailored for You.” With the Met Gala’s 2025 gala theme being “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” we’re especially stoked to see what stars will wear while walking the red carpet on May 5, 2025.

But speaking of the theme: You may be a bit confused about what it—and dress code!—actually mean. Enter: us, with absolutely everything you need to know about it, starting with…

What does the 2025 Met Gala theme mean?

Great Q! In order to answer that, let’s turn our attention over to an October 2024 press release published by the Met, which explained the following: “Inspired by Monica L. Miller’s 2009 book, Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity, the exhibition will present a cultural and historical examination of the Black dandy, from the figure’s emergence in Enlightenment Europe during the 18th century to 21st-century incarnations in the cosmopolitan cities of London, New York, and Paris.”

Or, as Vogue put it, “‘Superfine: Tailoring Black Style’ will explore the role of sartorial style in forming Black identities, focusing on the emergence, significance, and proliferation of the Black dandy.”

If you’re still kinda sorta confused, don’t sweat it! Basically, the focal point of the exhibition will be Black Dandyism, which evokes high-style menswear and the use of fashion to defy societal, racial, and gendered norms.

What is the 2025 Met Gala dress code, and how does it fit into the theme?

The Met Gala theme encompasses the whole evening (and the Met’s related costume exhibit), while the dress code is a way to interpret that more specifically. And this year, the two work beautifully in tandem, given the official dress code for this year’s Met Gala is “Tailored for You”—which, per The Met, is a nod to the exhibition’s focus on menswear and is “purposefully designed to provide guidance and invite creative interpretation.”

Basically, “Tailored for You” can be interpreted a TON of different ways, but it mostly encourages attendees to wear a look reflective of their personal style. On May 5, you can expect to see many inspired takes on suiting along with classic menswear staples, such as hats, ties, brooches, pocket squares, and more.

Here’s a helpful lil video if you’re still not getting the ~vibe.~

Any intel on the actual “Superfine” Met exhibition?

We gotchu! The exhibition will feature both historical and contemporary garments, as well as drawings and prints, decorative arts, ephemera, paintings, photographs, and film excerpts. The Met’s Marina Kellen French Director and CEO Max Hollein said the following of the presentation: “The Costume Institute’s spring 2025 exhibition will explore—with remarkable scale and breadth—the importance of sartorial style to the formation of Black identities in the Atlantic diaspora.”

He continued, “Through a diverse range of media, this groundbreaking presentation will also celebrate the power of style as a democratic tool for rejecting stereotypes and accessing new possibilities.”

The exhibit will be split into 12 facets of the style, per a press release: Ownership, Presence, Distinction, Disguise, Freedom, Champion, Respectability, Jook, Heritage, Beauty, Cool, and Cosmopolitanism. Curated by Guest Curator Monica L. Miller, Curator in Charge Andrew Bolton, Associate Curator William DeGregorio, Associate Curator Amanda Garfinkel, and with the help of the Costume Institute, the exhibit will feature original conceptual design by Torkwase Dyson as well as “two bespoke sculpted mannequin heads” from artist Tanda Francis.

An illustrated catalogue with original photography from Tyler Mitchell and 30 essays will also be released alongside the exhibit.

Counting down the days until the first Monday in May!

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