Celebrities go all out for the Met Gala. The theme of the 2023 Met Gala is “in honor of Karl” for the fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld, who passed away in 2019. Every year, there are guests who perfectly encapsulate the theme, while some miss the mark, not quite achieving what the theme requests. Here’s a look back on some of the best Met Gala looks of the last few years!
2018
The theme for 2018 was “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination” and is, arguably, the best theme of recent years. It’s impossible to just pick one best look from 2018, so here are some of the greatest:
Blake Lively in Versace
Blake Lively always stuns at the Met Gala and 2018 was no exception. Her Versace gown took over 600 hours to make and perfectly captures the year’s theme.
Chadwick Boseman in Versace
When so many men tend to wear plain suits, Chadwick Boseman’s 2018 look stood out. The gold embellishments and religious imagery fit the theme and created an outfit fit for a king.
Zendaya in Versace
As everyone knows, Zendaya’s stylist never fails. For the 2018 Met Gala, her look was inspired by Joan of Arc. The perfect mix of armor and glam, this look proves why Zendaya is a fashion icon.
Rihanna in Maison Margiela
Last, but certainly not least, for the 2018 looks is Rihanna. Her look was pope-inspired, which fits perfectly as she was one of the co-hosts for the evening.
2019
The theme for 2019 was “Camp: Notes on Fashion” and was a mixed bag. Camp can be defined as “love of the unnatural: of artifice and exaggeration.” Guests went in many different directions with this theme, so here are a few standouts:
Zendaya in Tommy Hilfiger
Zendaya strikes again. Her 2019 Cinderella-inspired dress lit up on the red carpet, with her stylist, Law Roach, dressing up as the fairy godmother alongside her. Not only is the dress beautiful, but the spectacle of it makes it the embodiment of camp.
Billy Porter in The Blonds
In 2019, Billy Porter was carried into the Met Gala and then revealed his golden wings. The look is inspired by an Egyptian sun god and is over-the-top in the way that camp is supposed to be.
Kacey Musgraves in Moschino
Last for 2019 is Kacey Musgraves, who looks like the perfect Barbie doll. The hot pink leather dress, hot pink sunglasses, and, of course, the hot pink blow dryer purse all come together to make this look perfect.
2021
The Met Gala skipped 2020 due to the pandemic, and in 2021 it returned with the theme “In America: A Lexicon of Fashion.” This theme allowed for many different interpretations, resulting in a wide variety of looks. Here are some of the best:
Billie Eilish in Oscar de la Renta
Billie Eilish’s 2021 Met Gala look was inspired by icons like Marilyn Monroe, which is perfectly themed when thinking about old Hollywood. The dress not only fits the theme, but also served as a big step for Eilish in wearing clothes that she once did not feel comfortable stepping out in.
Lil Nas X in Atelier Versace
Lil Nas X’s Met Gala look for 2021 tells an LGBTQ+ fairytale, according to the Versace Instagram. It was three parts, starting with a gold cape, followed by a shiny gold suit of armor, and finishing off with a sparkly gold catsuit.
Barbie Ferreira in Jonathan Simkhai
Once again inspired by old Hollywood is Barbie Ferreira’s 2021 look. The look is reminiscent of 1920’s flappers, and is a stunning Met Gala debut for Ferreira.
2022
The theme for 2022 was “In America: An Anthology of Fashion,” which was a continuation of 2021’s theme. The dress code listed specified “gilded glamour, white tie.” Here are some of the best looks from the night:
Blake Lively in Versace
Blake Lively is back again with another incredible look. For 2022, her look was inspired by New York City itself. The first rose gold look was inspired by the Empire State Building. The dress then untied and became blue, with designs from Grand Central Station on the train. With such unique inspiration, Lively’s 2022 look is my favorite from any look so far.
Lizzo in Thom Browne
Lizzo’s 2022 look is stunning black and gold with a coat that took many hours to make. The addition of a flute gives it the perfect personal touch while also being on theme.
Megan Thee Stallion in Moschino
The final outfit is Megan Thee Stallion’s glittery gold 2022 look. The standout on this dress is the gold feathered wings around Megan’s shoulders. She looks absolutely gorgeous and, of course, the gold says “gilded glamour” just as the theme asks.
Looking back through the years of Met Gala looks, some years certainly stunned more than others, but every year it’s always exciting to anticipate and watch to see what the guests will wear. The Met Gala allows for guests to be creative and wear something they wouldn’t usually get to on red carpets, and I, for one, look forward to it every year.