The 21 Best Dressed List: Met Gala 2025
In No Particular Order.
The Met Gala never fails to remind us that fashion is a living, breathing art form. For 2025, the theme “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” and its corresponding dress code, “Tailored for You,” invited guests to explore the deep legacy of Black fashion and the transformative power of tailoring. What followed was a red carpet rich in homage and reinvention, where sculptural suiting, subversive silhouettes, and cultural storytelling was the focus. It was theatrical, thoughtful, and at times, thrilling.
Our 21 Best Dressed list isn’t ranked, and it isn’t political. It’s a celebration of the visionaries who turned the night into something unforgettable. Each look chosen met our editorial criteria, capturing the essence of the theme while evoking genuine emotion. These were the moments that made us pause, replay, and feel.
Our Criteria: What Makes a Look “Best Dressed” at the Met Gala?
On-Theme Execution: Whether it's an obvious homage or a subtle nod, the look must thoughtfully interpret the theme, not ignore or undermine it.
Storytelling: A great Met Gala outfit isn’t just worn, it says something. Through references, materials, or construction, it should communicate a story, emotion, or cultural moment.
Silhouette & Styling: We look for strong, innovative shapes and intentional styling choices that enhance the overall impact of the look. Details matter.
Emotional Impact: Did it stop us in our tracks? Make us gasp? Feel awe, chills, or joy? Fashion that makes us feel is fashion that endures.
Thoughtful Accessorizing: Accessories aren’t afterthoughts. The best-dressed looks were completed with headpieces, gloves, jewelry, shoes, and beauty details that enhanced the story and didn’t distract from it.
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Jodie Turner-Smith in Burberry
Jodie Turner-Smith didn’t just wear a look, she embodied a legacy. In custom Burberry, she paid homage to Selika Lazevski, a 19th-century Black equestrian who broke barriers in Belle Époque Paris. Inspired by Paul Nadar’s 1891 portrait of Lazevski, Jodie reinterpreted Victorian equestrian elegance through a contemporary lens. The structured, deep burgundy coat, cut from embossed leather with sweeping volume, was drama and armor. Beneath it, slim trousers continued the story in tonal brocade, and a braided tilted top hat crowned the moment with theatrical precision. A masterclass in historical storytelling.
Imaan Hammam in Magda Butrym
A walking ode to Black tailoring, Imaan Hammam served timeless authority with a subversive twist in custom Magda Butrym. Her sharply structured ivory suit, with its nipped waist and voluminous trousers, reimagined the codes of suiting through a lens of hyper-femininity and exaggerated form. The black polka-dot tie and shirt offered a nod to tradition, while the feathered fascinator and silver cane added high-drama, old-world glamour, and a touch of dandy defiance. Every element, from her slicked-down hair to the commanding stance,spoke of ownership, elegance, and control.
Lewis Hamilton in Wales Bonner
A modern dandy with purpose, Lewis Hamilton partnered with Grace Wales Bonner for a look steeped in symbolism and style. His ivory ensemble, featuring a cropped jacket, high-waisted tuxedo-striped trousers, coattails, and a silk sash, was influenced by Barkley L. Hendricks, Black spiritual dress, and Calloway in Harlem Nights. The look whispered legacy through jewel trim, cowrie shells, and a perfectly perched Stephen Jones beret. Every detail was researched, reverent, and right on theme.
Cardi B in Burberry
Cardi B broke from her signature silhouette and delivered one of her most tailored moments to date. In custom Burberry, she channeled 1970s glam and Victorian subversion in equal measure. A lush green velvet jacquard coat swept dramatically over a devoré ruffled blouse, satin cummerbund, and matching floral trousers — an ensemble as rich in texture as it was in reference. Designer Daniel Lee cited dandyism and nonconformity as key influences, referencing a controversial 19th-century emerald gown with a daring cutout. Cardi didn’t just honor the theme, she flipped the script on what we expect from her on the carpet, and she did it flawlessly.
Jenna Ortega in Custom Balmain
Few looks pushed the boundaries of theme and craftsmanship like Jenna Ortega’s custom Balmain gown. Constructed entirely from actual metal rollers, the dress was exquisitely engineered. An homage to the meticulous artistry of couturiers past and present, the piece echoed the precision, labor, and sculptural ingenuity that define haute couture at its core. Tailored to her frame with machine-like accuracy, it was as if she stepped out of a futuristic atelier. The look felt powerful yet poetic, industrial yet impossibly elegant. Paired with minimalist jewelry, deep-set waves, and an icy stare, Jenna delivered one of the most innovative and emotionally resonant moments of the night.
Mona Patel in Thom Browne
Returning to the Met Gala with another unforgettable look, Mona Patel brought sharp elegance and futuristic fantasy in custom Thom Browne. The sculptural tuxedo ensemble featured a glittering corseted bodice, a dramatic back panel, and crisp tailoring that honored the night's theme with precision. The back revealed a sheer panel held together by a metallic, spine-like clasp; a striking fusion of couture and cyborg. Topping it off? A 3D-printed hat and a robotic dachshund purse named Vector, in true tech entrepreneur fashion.
Damson Idris in Tommy Hilfiger
Designed by Tommy Hilfiger, Damson’s look featured exaggerated flared pants, a layered lapel jacket, leather gloves, and a standout accessory: a rhinestone-studded motorcycle helmet. The look nods to 1970s style and freedom of movement.
Anok Yai in Thom Browne
Anok Yai turned the Met Gala carpet into a runway of precision and panache in a sculptural Thom Browne masterpiece. The look fused classic glamour with conceptual tailoring: a glittering black brocade bodice mimicked a collared tuxedo shirt, complete with jacket sleeves draped and knotted at the hip. Below, a sweeping white skirt fanned out like suiting reimagined as couture.
Jennie in Chanel
Jennie delivered an homage to Chanel’s tailoring heritage with quiet drama and immaculate precision. Her off-the-shoulder satin jumpsuit — adorned with pearl cabochons, camellias, and cascading strands of pearls — was elegance distilled. The sweeping overskirt, lined in crisp white taffeta, added volume without compromising the sleek, structured silhouette. Topped with a two-tone boater hat and matching satin pumps, the look nodded to Coco Chanel’s 1920s menswear-inspired designs while effortlessly channeling Jennie’s own modern grace.
Willy Chavarria in Willy Chavarria
Willy Chavarria showed up as both designer and muse in a look that embodied his signature brand of radical romance. Draped in a pastel pink suit with exaggerated shoulders and fluid tailoring, Chavarria layered on rosary chains, a turquoise embroidered shirt, red leather gloves, and a black wide-brimmed hat — each element a gesture of both reverence and resistance. The styling, rich with Chicano influences and religious iconography, blurred the line between sacred and stylish.
Adut Akech in Swarovski
Adut wore a look designed by Swarovski’s Global Creative Director Giovanna Engelbert. The custom ensemble merged the elegance of the Swarovski Swan with the flamboyance of dandy style. A baby-pink embellished tuxedo mini, complete with a feathered train and sculptural lapels, was paired with a gleaming, oversized crystal collar that fanned around her neckline like plumage in motion. Even her custom Manolo Blahnik heels echoed the motif, feathered and sparkling in sync.
Ugbad Abdi in Michael Kors
Ugbad Abdi stepped onto the Met steps in full homage mode, channeling the legendary André Leon Talley in a look that was equal parts grandeur and grit. Her custom Michael Kors ensemble featured a crystal-embroidered charcoal pinstripe suit layered under a sweeping paisley brocade cape with a dramatic faux silver fox collar. The structured silhouette, rich textures, and perfectly placed fedora told a story of Black sartorial excellence — past, present, and future.
Tyler Mitchell in Wales Bonner
Photographer Tyler Mitchell brought elegance with ease in a custom Wales Bonner suit that glowed with quiet confidence. His ivory tuxedo, complete with white gloves, a blue satin under-collar, and a dramatic feather stole, played with texture and tone while evoking the spirit of Black dandyism. A jeweled brooch at the chest added a regal note, anchoring the look with subtle symbolism. Wales Bonner’s signature mix of historical reference and spiritual elevation shone through.
Rihanna in Marc Jacobs
Fashion’s reigning closer, Rihanna made a late entrance that was worth every second of the wait. In custom Marc Jacobs, she reimagined dandyism through a subversive, maternal lens. The ensemble layered a cropped wool jacket over a pinstripe wool bustier and matching skirt with a dramatic bustle — tailoring restructured, refitted, and reborn. A polka-dot cravat added vintage flair, while towering platform ankle-strap pumps and a sculptural wide-brim hat (courtesy of Stephen Jones) sealed the look with theatrical gravitas.
Doja Cat in Marc Jacobs
Doja Cat turned up the volume and the voltage in a sculptural Marc Jacobs bodysuit that was as tailored to her spirit as it was to her frame. Featuring a crystal pinstriped wool blazer with boxy shoulders and a velvet ocelot-print intarsia corset, the look played with exaggerated hips and conical cups — fierce nods to retro-futurism and Tina Turner’s electrifying stage presence. Anchored by custom Kiki platform boots, Doja owned her moment with unapologetic theatricality. The print choice, deeply personal to her, made the Tailored for You dress code feel intimate, not literal.
Laura Harrier in Gap Studio
Laura Harrier floated into the Met Gala like a dandy duchess in Gap Studio, reimagined by Zac Posen. Her look transformed the waistcoat and trousers, two classic pillars of menswear, into something ethereal and architectural. The ivory raw denim vest, cinched tight at the waist, was paired with gossamer organza sleeves and billowing silk satin trousers that moved like a dream. Inspired by vintage photos of Harrier’s father and grandfather in their Sunday best, the look was an ode to Black dandyism through a lens of heritage and softness.
Wearing a custom design from his own creative agency, AWGE, Rocky debuted a contemporary homage to Harlem’s dandyism. His look centered on a double-breasted technical parka — modeled after the Marmot jackets iconic in his youth — with sharp tailoring and Velcro-detailed sleeves. Styled with a crisp white shirt, vest, tie, and wool trousers, the ensemble blurred the line between streetwear and suiting with confidence. A hidden satin waistband, patent Louboutin x AWGE oxfords, and Bvlgari jewels added flash, while a carved-handled umbrella gave nod to classic gentleman codes. Tailored for him, by him.
Teyana Taylor in Ruth E. Carter
Designed by legendary costume designer Ruth E. Carter, Teyana’s ensemble reinterpreted zoot suit elegance through a deep burgundy lens — structured, symbolic, and soulfully tailored. From the crimson gloves and exaggerated shoulders to the pinstripes and platform shoes, every detail was deliberate. Embroidered along the edge of her cape was “Rose in Harlem,” a nod to her 2018 anthem and her own legacy. A feathered topper, a durag beneath it, and crystal flourishes throughout turned the look into a layered tribute to Black history, Harlem roots, and personal resilience.
Diana Ross in Ugo Mozie
Diana Ross made her Met Gala return after 22 years draped in a silver-sequined gown and a feather-trimmed white overcoat with an 18-foot train. Ross shut down the carpet in a look that was both celestial and deeply personal. Designed in collaboration with her son Evan and Nigerian designer Ugo Mozie, the coat was embroidered with the names of her children and grandchildren — a living family tree stitched into couture. Topped with a wide-brimmed feathered hat and divine presence, this was more than fashion. It was legacy.
Janelle Monáe in Paul Tazewell x Thom Browne
Janelle Monáe transformed the Met stairs into a surrealist runway in Thom Browne look co-designed with Paul Tazewell. Entering cocooned in a graphic overcoat crafted from duchesse silk and grosgrain embroidery that mimicked the structure of a suit — tie, lapel, and even a briefcase — Monáe peeled back the layers to reveal a razor-sharp skirt suit in black, white, and red. The Magritte-style bowler hat nodded to surrealism, while the monocle-watch hybrid on her eye redefined accessorizing altogether. This look was a conceptual masterclass in tailoring, personal symbolism, and theatricality — channeling 1930s dandyism through a futuristic lens.
Lauryn Hill in Stella McCartney
Drenched in sunlight and sophistication, Lauryn Hill arrived in a sculptural yellow double-breasted Stella McCartney suit with a sweeping train that merged sharp tailoring with divine drama. A crisp shirt and tie gave it edge, while a towering hood and umbrella added majesty. But it was her accessory game that sealed the deal: a cerulean Hermès Kelly bag, striking in contrast and status alike. A rare Met moment from Hill, but an unforgettable one.
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Loved Christian Latchman's 5000 Lab look. Surprised it hasn't received as much attention as many of the other looks.