Met Gala recap: best dressed, surprise guests - Episode 51
Another Met Gala is now behind us, and if there’s one thing we know for sure—it gave us a lot to talk about. From powerful fashion statements to some serious head-scratchers, the first Monday in May brought both glamour and depth to the red carpet.
Create & consume
What Austen is creating this week: I took some updated branding photos last week, will share them soon!
What Austen is consuming this week: I just finished Funny Story by Emily Henry I gave it 4 stars!
In this episode:
If you haven’t already, be sure to check out last week’s podcast episode where I covered the Met’s 2025 exhibition itself, how the fundraising works with the Costume Institute, a little Met Gala history, and some of the most iconic themes over the years. But today? It’s all about the fashion.
This year’s theme: Superfine: Tailoring Black Style
The 2025 Met Gala theme, Superfine: Tailoring Black Style, and the dress code Tailored for You, arrived at an especially charged moment in American culture.
While the Trump administration is actively threatening funding for institutions like the Smithsonian and the Kennedy Center, and working to roll back protections and policies for marginalized groups, Vogue and the Met’s choice to spotlight Black tailoring and identity feels especially timely.
This year’s event also broke records—raising over $31 million for the Costume Institute, up about $7 million from last year’s Sleeping Beauties theme. That’s a major win.
Understanding the assignment
When evaluating this year’s red carpet looks, one question kept coming up: Were they on theme? And more importantly, how were they on theme?
Some celebs honored the exhibition quite literally with crisp tailoring, while others leaned into the theme through cultural references or historical nods. The range of interpretations made for a fascinating night.
The Met Gala is often a time when celebrities lean into more colorful and avant-garde looks, but some chose a more muted palette and approach.
Let’s be honest—some of the "misses" may not have been about taste, but about effort. A few looks made me wonder if the stars (or their stylists) did any real research on the theme.
Also, real talk: I can’t cover every single person who walked the red carpet, but on the podcast I went through as many of the standouts as I could, so be sure to listen to the full episode for specific outfit breakdowns.
Notable trends from this year
Kiss curls and sculptural hair: Dua Lipa, Simone Biles, Sydney Sweeney, and Teyana Taylor all gave us elevated, stylized hair moments.
Pants? Never heard of her: Celebs like Lisa, Cynthia Erivo, Sabrina Carpenter, and Doja Cat embraced the no-pants trend in their own unique ways.
Brands that won the night
Thom Browne: Angel Reese, Zoë Saldaña, Mona Patel, Jaden Smith, and Lorde made this label one of the night’s top performers.
Wales Bonner: A standout with Lewis Hamilton, FKA Twigs, Tyler Mitchell, and even Jeff Goldblum wearing Grace’s designs.
eBay: Believe it or not—Emma Chamberlain, Jeremy Pope, and Chappell Roan incorporated archival and resale elements to their outfits from eBay.
Louis Vuitton: Pharrell, Sabrina Carpenter, Zendaya, and Doechii rocked custom pieces.
Chanel: Jennie, Lupita Nyong’o, and Dua Lipa wore the iconic house with elegance.
Honoring the theme without wearing costumes
Some of my favorite looks paid tribute to the exhibition in quiet, intentional ways. Gigi Hadid, Sabrina Carpenter, Anne Hathaway, and Joey King are all white attendees who I felt approached the theme with respect.
Notable no-shows
There were a few people who I was thinking would make an appearance who ultimately sat out the 2025 event including:
LeBron James
Beyoncé and Jay-Z
Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds,
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce
Lady Gaga
Timothée Chalamet
Sarah Jessica Parker
Ariana Grande
Bella Hadid
Selena Gomez
Benny Blanco
SZA
Kendrick Lamar
My best dressed at the 2025 Met Gala
Favorite looks women:
Janelle Monáe, Kerry Washington, Lupita Nyong’o, Gigi Hadid, Sabrina Carpenter, Dua Lipa, Tracee Ellis Ross, Keke Palmer, Teyana Taylor
Favorite looks men:
Lewis Hamilton, Tyler Mitchell, Colman Domingo, Cole Escola, Regé-Jean Page, Walton Goggins, Jalen Hurts
And for the misses…
Women:
Demi Moore (loved the concept, not the execution), Hailey Bieber, Mary J. Blige in Stella McCartney (styling didn’t land for me), Shakira, Amelia Gray, Lisa
Men:
Joe Burrow, Jeremy Allen White
Bonus: the performance
Yes, you read that right—Usher and Stevie Wonder performed this year, bringing the house down with soulful, unforgettable sets.
Summary
For the full recap and my unfiltered breakdown of who wore what and why it mattered, be sure to listen to the full podcast episode. I’m diving into every twist, trend, and tailored moment from the 2025 Met Gala red carpet.
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