Met Gala: the 30 most iconic outfits and dresses of all time

Met Gala 2022: the 25 best red carpet fashion looks of all time

Credit: Courtesy of Getty

Fashion


Met Gala: the 30 most iconic outfits and dresses of all time

By Billie Bhatia &Naomi May

10 months ago

5 min read

The dress code for this year’s fashion bonanza has been unveiled as The Garden Of Time, so in anticipation, we’re revisiting some of the best Met Gala looks of all time.

The first Monday in May is one of the certified highlights of the fashion calendar: the Met Gala, and this year’s theme is set to offer all the fashion exposition our hearts could ever desire. 

The theme for this year’s Oscars of the fashion world is The Garden Of Time, inspired by JG Ballard’s 1962 short story about the slow decay of a garden – so, we can expect an array of spooky, poetic, dark looks.

This year will see Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Chris Hemsworth and Bad Bunny joining Anna Wintour as co-chairs of the glamorous affair.

Over the years we have witnessed some of fashion’s most revered outfits at the event: Sarah Jessica Parker and Lee McQueen in head-to-toe tartan punk, Rihanna’s ode to Rei Kawakubo’s Comme des Garçons and Kim Kardashian’s dress that spun a thousand Mrs Doubtfire memes, to name just a few.

In anticipation of this year’s inevitable high-fashion, garden-themed bonanza, Stylist has rounded up the best Met Gala red carpet looks of all time. 


Met Gala: Sarah Jessica Parker and Lee McQueen in 2006

Sarah Jessica Parker and Lee McQueen, 2006

In celebration of his Scottish roots, designer Alexander McQueen dressed Sarah Jessica Parker in swathes of tartan for the 2006 Met Gala. 


Met Gala: Rihanna in 2015

Rihanna, 2015

There is no one that commits to the Met Gala themes like Rihanna, and no one that executes them with such levels of drama. 


Met Gala: Lena Waithe in 2018

Lena Waithe , 2018

If you can’t make a political statement with your choice of clothes at the Met Gala, then when can you? 


Lady Gaga in Brandon Maxwell at the 2019 Met Gala

Lady Gaga, 2019

Lady Gaga’s entrance to the 2019 Met Gala was almost as dramatic as her Brandon Maxwell dress. Almost. Her 16-minute red-carpet performance involved four different iterations of her outfit: the shocking pink cape was removed to reveal a black strapless bustier gown, which was then unfastened to show off a pink fitted gown. When this was shed, an embellished bra and knickers was revealed as the final look.


Met Gala: Beyoncé in 2015

Beyoncé, 2015

Bringing a whole new meaning to the ‘naked’ dress, Beyoncé’s Givenchy creation was a glittering Met Gala moment. And we haven’t even started on the hair. 


Met Gala: Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen in 2015

Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, 2015

Forever the most stylish twins, Mary-Kate and Ashley took on vintage John Galliano for Dior as their 2015 Met Gala look. 


Bella Hadid in Alexander Wang at the 2017 Met Gala

Bella Hadid, 2018

In a sea of gowns, there is the occasional red carpet rebel. In 2018, Bella Hadid stood out from the crowd wearing an Alexander Wang bodysuit.


Met Gala: Ariana Grande in 2018

Ariana Grande, 2018

2018’s Heavenly Bodies theme was one of the Met’s best in terms of dedication to the theme, as Ariana Grande demonstrates here in her ethereal Vera Wang gown. 


Met Gala: Cara Delevingne in 2017

Cara Delevingne, 2017

The supermodel used the 2017 Met Gala as her platform to debut her now-famous shaved head and this epic Chanel metallic trouser suit. 


Met Gala: Naomi Campbell in 1995

Naomi Campbell, 1995

Taking centre stage in a sparkling Versace column gown, Naomi Campbell proves she is totally timeless when it comes to red carpet style. 


Met Gala: Gigi Hadid and Zayn Malik in 2017

Gigi Hadid and Zayn Malik, 2016

The icon in this image actually isn’t Gigi Hadid’s custom Tommy Hilfiger dress, but Zayn’s bionic metal arms. 


Diana Ross at the 1981 Met Gala

Diana Ross, 1981

Long before Rihanna, Lady Gaga and Beyoncé were stealing the show at the Met Gala, Diana Ross led the way in layers of tiered feathers.


Met Gala: Frances McDormand in 2018

Frances McDormand, 2018

Perhaps the most unexpected show-stealer came in the form of Frances McDormand’s incredible Valentino outfit from 2018’s Met Gala. The headpiece alone deserves a moment in the red carpet hall of fame. 


Cardi B in Moschino at the 2018 Met Gala

Cardi B,2018

Speaking of incredible headwear, Cardi B’s Moschino number proved you can never have enough embellishment in one look. 


Met Gala: Princess Diana in 2016

Princess Diana, 1996

In 1996 Princess Diana made a surprise appearance at the Met Gala in John Galliano for Dior (a mere few weeks after she debuted his collection for the brand). We are still on the hunt for a slip dress this good. 


Met Gala: Blake Lively in 2018

Blake Lively, 2018

Coming in at a staggering 600 hours to make, Blake Lively’s Versace gown has a little Game Of Thrones vibe to it, don’t you think? 


Met Gala: Kate Moss in 2009

Kate Moss, 2009

Leave it to supermodel Kate Moss to win the red carpet in a draped piece of lamé (granted it’s Marc Jacobs) and a matching turban. No wonder she took a long hiatus after this look. 


Met Gala: Lady Gaga in 2016

Lady Gaga, 2016

Even with no trousers, Lady Gaga still achieves ‘icon’ status. 


Met Gala: Katy Perry in 2018

Katy Perry, 2018

Katy Perry goes hell for leather with the Heavenly Bodies theme (but we do feel sorry for whoever had to sit next to her at dinner). 


Met Gala: Kim Kardashian in 2013

Kim Kardashian, 2013

Head-to-toe florals courtesy of Givenchy made Kim Kardashian the most talked-about attendee at the 2013 Met Gala. 


Met Gala: Lupita Nyong'o in 2016

Lupita Nyong’o, 2016

This is what a real-life mermaid looks like. Fact. 


Cher in Bob Mackie at the 1985 Met Gala

Cher, 1986

Before JLo, Miley Cyrus and Kim Kardashian embraced the sheer, barely-there dress on the Met Gala steps, Cher was stepping out in this Bob Mackie creation.


Met Gala: Solange in 2018

Solange, 2018

Much like Rihanna, Solange really commits to her Met Gala looks – like rocking a halo behind a durag while wearing latex Iris Van Herpen. 


Zendaya in Dolce & Gabbana at the 2017 Met Gala

Zendaya, 2017

Zendaya ensured all eyes remembered her magical look from the 2017 Met Gala, opting for a Dolce & Gabbana Alta Moda floral gown and blown-out natural hair. 


Rihanna in Margiela at the 2018 Met Gala

Rihanna, 2018

One more Rihanna, because she really is the reigning Met Gala queen. 


Anne Hathaway Met Gala

Anne Hathaway, 2023

In 2023, Anne Hathaway wore a daring Versace white tweed dress covered in slashes and held together with giant pearl-encrusted safety pins. She also donned a Bulgari coin necklace.


Tessa Thompson

Tessa Thompson, 2022

This dreamy, tiered taffeta number by Carolina Herrera is nothing short of heavenly. 


Gemma Chan

Gemma Chan, 2019

The Tom Ford silver cape dress and giant bedazzled headpiece were inspired by Elizabeth Taylor in the 1968 flick Boom! We love a pop culture reference.


Ashley Olsen

Ashley Olsen, 2013

In 2013, Ashley Olsen donned a vintage Dior dress with a matching sheer cape overlay. Floaty, dreamy, orange perfection.


Suki Waterhouse

Suki Waterhouse, 2023

Suki Waterhouse opted for vintage Fendi in 2023, wearing a nude sheer dress covered in floral embroidery. With her ethereal make-up, she looked just like a woodland fairy.



Images: Getty Images

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