65 of the wildest looks in Met Gala history

The Met Gala is the only place where Jared Leto can be a cat, and Rihanna can be the pope. Check out your favorite celebrities' wildest looks.

May 1, 2025 - 10:31
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65 of the wildest looks in Met Gala history
Split image of Rihanna, Zendaya, and Jared Leto at the Met Gala
Rihanna at the 2018 Met Gala, Zendaya at the 2024 Met Gala, and Jared Leto at the 2023 Met Gala.
  • Daring, wild, and over-the-top designs are key to Met Gala fashion.
  • Stars like Jared Leto, Rihanna, and Kim Kardashian are known for fully embracing the theme.
  • In 2023, Leto arrived at the Met in a full-body catsuit in homage to Karl Lagerfeld's cat.

The Met Gala is one of the wildest fashion events of the year thanks to its elaborate themes and dress codes.

With the freedom of interpretation, stars have arrived at the exclusive, multimillion-dollar event in everything from handmade tank tops to elaborate jeweled gowns and even a chandelier.

Ahead of this year's Met Gala on Monday, here's a look back at 65 of the most outrageous looks celebrities have worn to fashion's biggest night.

In 1999, Liv Tyler and Stella McCartney wore handmade "Rock Royalty" tank tops to the "Rock Style"-themed Met Gala.
Liv Tyler and Stella McCartney at the 1999 Met Gala.
Liv Tyler and Stella McCartney at the 1999 Met Gala.

"It wasn't really appropriate that we wore those shirts. Officially, we weren't following the honors of the dress code," Tyler told Vogue in 2020.

Still, as the daughters of famous rock stars Steven Tyler and Paul McCartney, the pair's "Rock Royalty" tank tops unintentionally created an iconic moment in pop culture.

"It was an amazing thing, in a way. We were just being ourselves," Tyler added.

Embracing 2004's 18th-century theme, Amber Valletta showed up wearing Maggie Norris Couture.
Amber Valletta
Amber Valletta at the "Dangerous Liaisons: Fashion and Furniture in the 18th Century" Met Gala in 2004.

She even had her hair styled to fit the theme.

Karolina Kurkova attended the 2005 ball in a floor-length white gown, taking her adoration for Coco Chanel to another level.
Karolina Kurkova
Karolina Kurkova at the Met Gala in May 2005.

The theme was "The House of Chanel," and Kurkova's gown featured the words "I love you" across the bottom.

Charlize Theron hit the red carpet in 2006 wearing a beautiful burgundy gown by Christian Dior.
Charlize Theron and John Galliano
Charlize Theron and John Galliano at the "Anglomania" Met Gala in May 2006.

She took John Galliano, the creative director at the time, as her date.

Sarah Jessica Parker was draped in plaid alongside her date, designer Alexander McQueen, in 2006.
Sarah Jessica Parker and Alexander McQueen
Sarah Jessica Parker and Alexander McQueen at the "Anglomania" Met Gala in May 2006.

She's always one to take a risk in the name of fashion.

Style queen Daphne Guinness paid tribute to her late friend Alexander McQueen in 2011.
Daphne Guinness
Daphne Guinness at the "Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty" Met Gala in May 2011.

McQueen died in February 2010, and the 2011 Met Gala theme, "Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty," was chosen to honor his legacy.

Guinness wore a dramatic feathery frock from the designer's Spring 2011 collection.

Supermodel Naomi Campbell also paid tribute to McQueen that year by wearing one of his designs.
Naomi Campbell
Naomi Campbell at the "Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty" Met Gala in May 2011.

The gown featured feather-like tassels on the skirt and bodice.

Serena Williams attended the Met Gala in a feathered white Oscar de la Renta ball gown that same year.
Serena Williams
Serena Williams at the "Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty" Met Gala in May 2011.

She paired it with a dramatic silver headpiece.

Also present at 2011's tribute to Alexander McQueen was Christina Ricci.
Christina Ricci
Christina Ricci at the "Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty" in May 2011.

She went for a gothic romantic look by Zac Posen.

In 2013, Madonna sported a black bob and a Givenchy by Ricardo Tisci ensemble for the "PUNK: Chaos to Couture" theme.
Madonna
Madonna at the "PUNK: Chaos to Couture" Met Gala in May 2013.

Her pink pumps added a nice pop of color.

Nicole Richie also embraced the punk theme by dyeing her hair this ghostly silver-gray color.
Nicole Richie
Nicole Richie at the "PUNK: Chaos to Couture" Met Gala in May 2013.

Topshop designed her white floral dress.

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West caused a conversation at the Met Gala in 2013.
Kim Kardashian-West and Kanye West
Kim Kardashian and Kanye West at the "PUNK: Chaos to Couture" Met Gala in May 2013.

Kardashian hit the red carpet in a floral gown with a thigh-high slit while eight months pregnant with her first child, North.

Still, Miley Cyrus really made a statement that year in this fishnet dress designed by Marc Jacobs.
Miley Cyrus
Miley Cyrus at the "PUNK: Chaos to Couture" Met Gala in May 2013.

She also rocked a spiky 'do to complement the theme.

Lupita Nyong'o made several best-dressed lists in 2014 thanks to this emerald-green Prada dress.
Lupita Nyong'o
Lupita Nyong'o at the "Charles James: Beyond Fashion" Met Gala in May 2014.

The dress had a flapper-inspired design.

In 2015, Rihanna won the red carpet (and unintentionally became a meme) with this bright-yellow, fur-trimmed cape designed by Guo Pei.
rihanna fashion evolution  met gala
Rihanna at the "China: Through the Looking Glass" Met Gala in May 2015.

The look helped establish her status as the undisputed queen of the Met Gala.

Beyoncé left little to the imagination when she wore this see-through Givenchy gown to the Met Gala in 2015.
Beyonce
Beyoncé at the "China: Through the Looking Glass" Met Gala in May 2015.

It was definitely a daring choice that instantly became iconic.

Jennifer Lopez chose a sheer Versace gown when she attended that year.
Donatella Versace and Jennifer Lopez pose on the red carpet at the 2015 Met Gala.
Donatella Versace and Jennifer Lopez pose on the red carpet at the 2015 Met Gala.

The gown featured red jeweled accents applied to look like a fiery dragon.

Solange Knowles looked like an optical illusion in her circle dress in 2015.
Solange Knowles
Solange Knowles at the "China: Through the Looking Glass" Met Gala in May 2015.

Giles designed the stunning dress.

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West wore matching metallic silver Balmain ensembles in May 2016.
Kim Kardashian-West and Kanye West
Kim Kardashian-West and Kanye West at the "Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology" Met Gala in May 2016.

West even wore silver contacts to match his jacket, while Kardashian completed her look by lightening her eyebrows.

Beyoncé wowed the crowd with another Givenchy gown in 2016. This one was made with latex material and featured pearl embellishments.
Beyonce
Beyoncé at the "Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology" Met Gala in May 2016.

The star had released her sixth album, "Lemonade," just a week before the Met that year.

Solange dressed head to toe in a lemon-yellow ensemble by David Laport.
Solange Knowles
Solange Knowles at the "Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology" Met Gala in May 2016.

She completed the look with yellow latex leggings.

When it comes to making fashion statements, Madonna didn't disappoint at the Met Gala in 2016.
Madonna
Madonna at the "Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology" Met Gala in May 2016.

Here she is in a sheer black Givenchy dress.

Lupita Nyong'o took another risk in 2016, wearing a shimmery, mint-green Calvin Klein gown.
Lupita Nyong'o
Lupita Nyong'o at the "Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology" Met Gala in May 2016.

She paired it with a gravity-defying natural hairstyle.

Leave it to Lady Gaga to show up in a fierce Versace ensemble complete with a leotard and a cropped metallic jacket.
Lady Gaga
Lady Gaga at the "Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology" Met Gala in May 2016.

She finished her 2016 look with a pair of sky-high platform boots.

Rita Ora wore this feathered frock designed by Vera Wang in 2016.
Rita Ora
Rita Ora at the "Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology" Met Gala in May 2016.

She seemed to be channeling her inner "Black Swan."

Claire Danes was glowing (literally) in 2016 thanks to this glow-in-the-dark ball gown by Zac Posen.
Claire Danes
Claire Danes at the "Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology" Met Gala in May 2016.

The light-blue dress appeared to be inspired by Cinderella.

Zoe Kravitz walked the red carpet in 2016 in a dress with a giant bow on the back.
Zoe Kravitz
Zoe Kravitz at the "Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology" Met Gala in May 2016.

She paired it with a lace mask for dramatic effect.

Katy Perry made heads turn in 2016 in this black Prada gown with gold embellishments.
Katy Perry
Katy Perry at the "Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology" Met Gala in May 2016.

She paired the look with matching dark makeup and hair.

She then arrived looking like an actual angel with oversized wings by Versace in 2018.
Katy Perry at the Met Gala 2018
Katy Perry at the "Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination" Met Gala in May 2018.

She paired the wings with a gold minidress and thigh-high gold boots.

Rihanna wowed everyone yet again in 2018 with a Margiela ensemble that seemed to be inspired by the pope.
Rihanna at Met gala 2018 wearing pope hat
Rihanna at the "Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination" Met Gala in May 2018.

She wore a high-low skirt, plenty of jewelry, and an attention-commanding headpiece.

Solange's gown by Iris van Herpen featured one of the most elaborate structural designs of the 2018 event.
Solange at the Met Gala 2018
Solange at the "Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination" Met Gala in May 2018.

She paired the look with black latex thigh-highs and shoes.

Frances McDormand had one of the most head-turning looks on the red carpet.
met gala 2018   headpieces   Frances McDormand
Frances McDormand at the "Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination" Met Gala in May 2018.

The headpiece was a daring choice, but her Valentino ensemble ultimately became one of the most memorable looks of the evening.

Greta Gerwig then took the 2018 theme and ran with it with this nun-inspired design by The Row.
Greta Gerwig at the Met Gala 2018
Greta Gerwig at the "Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination" Met Gala in May 2018.

She was one of a few celebrities to take a literal approach to the theme.

Jared Leto also opted for a literal interpretation of 2018's theme.
Jared Leto attends the Met Gala 2018
Jared Leto at the "Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination" Met Gala in May 2018.
Sarah Jessica Parker also had one of the most elaborate looks of the evening with a Nativity scene as her headpiece.
Sarah Jessica Parker attends the Met Gala 2018
Sarah Jessica Parker at the "Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination" Met Gala in May 2018.

She always nails the theme of the Met Gala, and that year was no exception.

Lady Gaga arrived at the 2019 Met Gala in a sweeping pink gown by Brandon Maxwell.
lady gaga
Lady Gaga at the 2019 Met Gala.

She later revealed three other ensembles underneath through a 16-minute entrance routine that perfectly embodied the theme, "Camp: Notes on Fashion."

Katy Perry lit up the pink carpet in a chandelier-inspired look in 2019.
katy perry met gala 2019
Katy Perry at the 2019 Met Gala.

She was surrounded by working light bulbs around the skirt and on the headpiece.

At the 2019 Met Gala, Billy Porter wore a golden ensemble by The Blonds.
billy porter met gala 2019
Billy Porter at the 2019 Met Gala.

He was first carried down the pink carpet with six men in matching ensembles. Porter then stepped down to reveal an eye-catching pair of wings attached to his arms.

Cardi B stole the show with a flowing red train in 2019.
cardi b 2019 met gala
Cardi B at the 2019 Met Gala.

Her puffy gown featured feathered detailing at the edge of its dramatic train.

In 2019, Janelle Monáe arrived in a showstopping ensemble by Christian Siriano.
Janelle Monae met gala
Janelle Monáe at the 2019 Met Gala.

Her head-turning dress featured a blinking eye mechanism at the bodice, which she paired with several top hats. 

Priyanka Chopra opted for a semi-sheer design with a crown-like headpiece in 2019.
priyanka chopra 2019 met gala
Priyanka Chopra at the 2019 Met Gala.

Her gown flowed out thanks to multicolored feathers.

Yara Shahidi went with a custom Prada ensemble for the 2019 Met Gala.
yara shahidi met gala 2019
Yara Shahidi at the 2019 Met Gala.

She paired her swimsuit-style bodysuit with embellished tights and a feathered black coat.

Stella Maxwell wore a daring sheer design in 2019.
stella maxwell met gala 2019
Stella Maxwell at the 2019 Met Gala.

Her dress featured an abundance of strategically placed silver stars.

In 2019, Cara Delevingne brought a touch of rainbow color to the carpet.
cara delevigne 2019 met gala
Cara Delevingne at the 2019 Met Gala.

Her platform heels were embellished with Swarovski crystals.

Emily Ratajkowski turned heads in a daring ethereal design in 2019.
emily ratajkowski
Emily Ratajkowski at the 2019 Met Gala.

Her headpiece was shaped like wings that framed each side of her face.

The frills on Céline Dion's shimmery dress were hard to miss in 2019.
celine dion met gala 2019
Céline Dion at the 2019 Met Gala.

The singer wore an Oscar de la Renta dress to the Met Gala that year. 

Jared Leto carried a replica of his head as an accessory in 2019.
jared leto
Jared Leto at the 2019 Met Gala.

Alessandro Michele, Gucci's creative director at the time, dressed the actor in a Victorian-esque scarlet gown covered in jewels.

The outfit was a nod to Gucci's Autumn/Winter 2018 runway show, which featured models carrying their own heads. 

Tiffany Haddish's zebra-print suit was a bold look.
Tiffany Haddish 2019 Met Gala
Tiffany Haddish at the 2019 Met Gala.

The comedian and actor was photographed in a Michael Kors flared-leg pantsuit and matching hat designed by Stephen Jones. W Magazine reported that the look comprised 57,000 sequins — 17,000 on the jacket and 40,000 on the pants. 

Michael Urie wore two different looks at once in 2019.
michael urie met gala 2019
Michael Urie at the 2019 Met Gala.

The actor wore a half-tux, half-gown outfit designed by Christian Siriano.

"Christian Siriano is a genius," he told Page Six then. "And his staff and he made it so impeccably that it was comfortable. I had a high heel that was the same height as a Doc boot, it was brilliant. And I could pee!"

Dan Levy's custom JW Anderson look for the 2021 event had many hidden details.
Dan Levy wears a blue outfit on a red carpet.
Dan Levy at the 2021 Met Gala.

The custom outfit featured a map that was formed in the shape of two men kissing.

Levy told Vanity Fair that his look was a celebration of queer love inspired by the late artist and AIDS activist David Wojnarowicz.

The look featured oversize sleeves, pants with a map pattern, and black boots with gold details and flowers. He completed the look with Cartier jewelry. 

Lil Nas X made an entrance at the 2021 Met Gala by wearing three Versace looks.
Three photos of Lil Nas X at the 2021 Met Gala.
Lil Nas X at the 2021 Met Gala.

Lil Nas X arrived at his first-ever Met Gala in a gold Atelier Versace velvet cape. It had oversize shoulder pads and a collar.

He then removed the cape to reveal golden body armor underneath. It had spikes on the shoulders, the Versace crest on the neckline, and sculpted abs.

Finally, before he went inside, Lil Nas X took off the armor to reveal a brown bodysuit covered in crystals. He paired it with a Versace choker. 

Kim Kardashian attended the 2021 Met Gala covered in head-to-toe black.
Kim Kardashian West at the 2021 Met Gala.
Kim Kardashian at the 2021 Met Gala.

Kardashian said on Instagram that her inspiration for the "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion"-themed gala was a T-shirt. 

She arrived in a Balenciaga bodysuit that completely covered her. Two trains flowed out of the back of her dress, as did her 75-inch ponytail.

Frank Ocean made a bold choice at the 2021 gala by arriving with a robot baby in his arms.
Frank Ocean at the 2021 Met Gala.
Frank Ocean at the 2021 Met Gala.

The singer kept it simple in a black suede, three-piece Prada suit with a white T-shirt.

Ocean's robotic baby was dressed in a onesie from Homer, the jewelry brand Ocean founded. It could move, making it seem almost lifelike. 

Rihanna wore an over-the-top, all-black Balenciaga look.
Rihanna at the 2021 Met Gala wearing an oversized black coatdress and diamond necklace.
Rihanna at the 2021 Met Gala.

Rihanna was among the last stars to arrive at the gala, but she brought the drama with this look. 

Balenciaga's creative director, Demna Gvasalia, designed her all-black coatdress. She paired it with a beanie, a crystal headpiece, and custom-made Maria Tash earrings. 

A$AP Rocky followed his partner Rihanna's lead in this quilt-like ERL look.
A$AP Rocky at the 2021 Met Gala.
A$AP Rocky at the 2021 Met Gala.

The rapper wore a look from the designer's spring 2022 collection. Underneath the quilt, A$AP Rocky had a black suit that matched Rihanna's Balenciaga ensemble. 

Megan Fox stole the show at the gala in a red Dundas gown with criss-cross cutouts and a high slit.
Megan Fox at the 2021 Met Gala.
Megan Fox at the 2021 Met Gala.

The actor wore the custom design with satin platform sandals and a long train.

Fox told Vogue that her look was inspired by Bram Stoker's "Dracula."

"I think the inspiration, like the color — I wanted a dress that I had seen in Bram Stoker's 'Dracula,'" she said. "I'm very into gothic things and vampires and such."

Grimes accessorized her Iris van Herpen dress with a sword.
Grimes Met Gala 2021
Grimes at the 2021 Met Gala.

The Canadian musician told Vogue that her look was inspired by Frank Herbert's novel "Dune." The chrome mask she's wearing is actually an original prop from David Lynch's 1984 film adaptation of the book. 

In 2022, Kim Kardashian caused one of the biggest controversies in recent Met Gala history by wearing a dress that belonged to Marilyn Monroe.
Kim Kardashian at the 2022 Met Gala.
Kim Kardashian at the 2022 Met Gala.

Monroe famously wore the dress to perform "Happy Birthday, Mr. President" in 1962, and the internet had plenty to say when Kardashian arrived in the iconic look.

Jared Leto took 2023's theme, "Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty," literally.
Jared Leto arrives at the 2023 Met Gala dressed as a cat.
Jared Leto at the 2023 Met Gala.

Leto's look was inspired by the late designer's cat, Choupette.

Leto wasn't the only one to take inspiration from Choupette. Doja Cat appeared in her own feline outfit.
Doja Cat at the 2023 Met Gala.
Doja Cat at the 2023 Met Gala.

The rapper and singer remained committed to her character, causing an awkward moment with Vogue red-carpet correspondent Emma Chamberlain when she replied to questions with meows instead of words.

Bad Bunny embodied a charming prince with a custom look featuring horse-feet shoes in 2024.
Bad Bunny at the 2024 Met Gala
Bad Bunny at the 2024 Met Gala.

The Puerto Rican popstar, who served as cochair of the event in 2024, wore a custom Maison Margiela Artisanal ensemble inspired by fairytale princes and their horses.

Zendaya brought all the fairytale drama in 2024.
Zendaya at the 2024 Met Gala
Zendaya at the 2024 Met Gala.

Also wearing a custom Maison Margiela look, Zendaya arrived in a blue and emerald dress inspired by fictitious villains. That year, the Met Gala theme was "Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion."

Lana del Rey became a veiled wall of thorns.
Lana del Rey at the 2024 Met Gala
Lana del Rey at the 2024 Met Gala.

The singer arrived at the event wearing a custom Alexander McQueen gown completed by a dramatic veil inspired by the Sleeping Beauty tale.

Tyla wore an immovable sand piece. She needed to be carried up the infamous gala stairs.
Tyla at the 2024 Met Gala
Tyla at the 2024 Met Gala.

At her first Met Gala, Tyla wore a form-fitting, sculpted Balmain piece made of sand. It adhered to the year's theme and its connection to time. A sand-filled hourglass accessorized the piece.

The sculpted piece was solid and immovable, so the singer had to be carried up the stairs at the event.

Mindy Kaling arrived in a sculptural floral-inspired dress.
Mindy Kaling at the 2024 Met Gala
Mindy Kaling at the 2024 Met Gala.

The actor and screenwriter wore a piece by Indian designer Gaurav Gupta. The caped gown, called "The Melting Flower of Time," was inspired by the passage of time through the death of a flower, which is referenced by the gown's delicate layers.

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