This year’s Met Gala theme was “In America: A Lexicon of Fashion.” Now that I’ve had time to process everything I saw during the 2021 Met Gala, here are my thoughts!
Kim Kardashian West
HOT!
Kim broke the internet – again – with this look. The head-to-toe black ensemble showed none of Kim’s face but did show just how iconic her silhouette is in American pop culture.
Lupita Nyong’o
HOT!
Academy award-winning actress Lupita Nyong’o wore a full denim dress and gave Justin and Britney at the 2001 AMAs. Absolutely nailed the theme and looked gorgeous doing it. 10/10!
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
NOT.
Warning: unpopular opinion ahead! While AOC looked gorgeous in her Brother Vellies gown, the “Tax the Rich” slogan felt extremely performative. Girl, get back to the office and write some legislation or something.
Karlie Kloss
HOT!
While she might not have been looking camp right in the eye at the 2019 Met Gala, Kloss ate and left no crumbs this year! At first glance, the dress doesn’t scream “In America: A Lexicon of Fashion” but her stunning scarlet gown is a design by none other than Carolina Herrera. Herrera’s label was the go-to choice for first ladies Jacqueline Kennedy and Michelle Obama. The dress is also a reference to the national flower of the United States: a rose!
Quannah Chasinghorse
HOT!
First-time Met Gala attendee Quannah Chasinghorse rocked a Peter Dundas gold lamé gown with traditional Navajo jewelry. The activist and model was without a doubt the best dressed and most on theme for this year’s event in my book.
Jennifer Lopez
NOT.
While JLo’s western-inspired Ralph Lauren look was definitely American, it was – hate to say it – ugly. I never want to see that dress or those accessories ever again in my life. Next!
Olivia Rodrigo
HOT!
Gen Z actress and musician Olivia Rodrigo wore a stunning Saint Laurent lace bodysuit with feather detailing and accessorized with extravagant crystal earrings and bracelets. It gave Miley Cyrus doing punk rock Madonna energy and I’m here for it.
Megan Rapinoe
NOT.
I know the theme was American fashion, but this was too American. It’s a no from me.
Kim Petras
HOT!
Musician Kim Petras arrived in a horse girl-esque Collina Strada gown and extremely long braided ponytail to match. With the amount of horse girls I encountered in the American public school system, this look is very on-brand for the event.
Simu Liu
HOT!
Shang-Chi star Simu Liu served old Hollywood glamour in a Fendi suit at this year’s Met Gala, and I have to say it was executed brilliantly. Five stars for this look!
Billie Eilish
NOT.
Another unpopular opinion incoming! Billie looked absolutely amazing in her Oscar de la Renta gown, but the Marilyn Monroe tribute is a bit on the nose for my taste.
Yara Shahidi
HOT!
Although I am not a huge fan of Maria Grazia’s work at Dior, this one-of-a-kind look created for Shahidi was stunning. Yara Shahidi totally nailed the theme by honoring the iconic black American artist Josephine Baker.
Addison Rae
NOT.
Being as this is literally Kourtney’s Christmas dress, I have to give miss Addison a hard time. I do give her credit for being a thrifty queen and borrowing a dress, but really girl? At the Met? Do better.
Leon Bridges
HOT!
Now this western-inspired look by Bode was done right! JLo, take notes.
Cara Delevingne
NOT.
Delevingne’s Christian Dior look missed the mark for me. The “Peg the Patriarchy” print could have been done without and feels performative à la AOC’s gown.
Lewis Hamilton
HOT!
Seven-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton stunned in a custom creation by Kenneth Nicholson which included a suit and long sheer lace shirt. Hamilton did more than just look good at the Met this year though! The F1 driver bought a full table at the event and invited emerging Black designers as his guests on the biggest night in fashion.
Kaia Gerber
HOT!
Model Kaia Gerber’s Oscar de la Renta gown was a stunning recreation of New York socialite Bianca Jagger’s 1981 Met Gala look originally designed by Christian Dior.
Dixie D’Amelio
NOT.
Social media star Dixie D’Amelio’s look was inspired by actress Audrey Hepburn. Besides the elephant – or should I say ostrich – in the room, the mini dress and clear heels were really not it. I would have loved to see a longer gown for this Breakfast at Tiffany’s reference.
Nicola Peltz
HOT!
Bates Motel actress Nicola Peltz stunned in a pink Valentino Couture gown and baby pink gloves. The look is very 1950’s Barbie and I am so in love with it!
There were so many other looks that I couldn’t cover but now you know my thoughts on the best and worst dressed at this year’s Met Gala! Of course, all love to the celebs on the “red” carpet. Stay tuned for another Hot or Not covering “In America: An Anthology of Fashion” – AKA the second part of this double feature Met Gala theme!
XOXO HC