The first Monday in May is almost here, and in the fashion world, that means the biggest topic of discussion on the agenda is the Met Gala. This year, attendees have been tasked with flaunting their finest outfits inspired by the theme “The Garden of Time,” marking the opening of the Met Museum’s new exhibition, “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion.”
As we prepare for the array of head-turning outfits coming our way on the sartorial star-studded red carpet, we can’t help but think about some of the Met Gala’s biggest fashion moments ever. So, we’re taking a trip down memory lane, revisiting some of our all-time favorite Met Gala looks, from Kate Moss’ Marc Jacobs golden mini dress circa 2009 to Cardi B’s regal Moschino gown from 2018, and even a look or two from last year’s Gilded Glamour theme. Don’t worry, SJP and Alexander McQueen in matching tartan, Naomi Campbell in glittering Versace, and Kim Kardashian in Thierry Mugler’s first original design in 20 years also made the cut.
So prepare to be amazed by the ethereal looks and red carpet dresses that have garnered attention every year since the first Costume Institute Benefit in 1948. Click on for our list of the best Met Gala looks of all time.
The I May Destroy You creator and star dazzled in a gilded, sheer Schiaparelli gown.Photo: Mike Coppola/Getty Images.
The Wednesday actress was a standout in this corseted custom Thom Browne look at her first ever Met Gala.
Photo: John Shearer/WireImage.
In a year when Anne Hathaway’s red carpet presence has outshone basically everyone, this custom Versace gown was truly the cherry on top. Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images/The Met Museum/Vogue.
A tribute to New York City’s architecture (and the Statue of Liberty!).
Wearing the same dress Marilyn Monroe sported to sing “Happy Birthday” to John F. Kennedy — history in the making.
Sometimes all you need is a train and thigh-high platform boots. Photo : John .hearer/WireImage.
Casually channeling Marilyn Monroe and Grace Kelly for the night. Photo: John Shearer/WireImage.
Photo: Mike Coppola/Getty Images.
That time Lady Gaga reinvented performance with four outfit changes at the Met Gala. Talk about camp! Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue.
Who else is getting serious Joan of Arc meets Dune vibes from the armored Versace gown Zendaya wore in 2018?
Photo: Taylor Hill/Getty Images.
The open neck is the new open back, as proven by Carmen Kass’s iconic red satin Gucci gown from the 2003 Met Gala.Photo: Gucci/Getty Images.
Only Hailey Bieber could make a crystal thong seem like a casual red pink carpet accessory. Photo: Karwai Tang/Getty Images.
Can we all take a second to memorialize Rihanna’s crystal-covered John Galliano papal look for the Heavenly Bodies themed Met Gala in 2018? Photo: Kevin Tachman/Getty Images.
Naomi Campbell always looks fantastic. Full stop. But this dazzling Versace number from the 1995 Met Gala truly is a step above the rest. Photo: Ron Galella Collection/Getty Images.
Ashley Olsen was the picture of sunshine at the 2013 Met Gala, where she wore a tangerine shapeless frock courtesy of Dior. Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images.
Quilted coats who? We’re opting for quilted gowns only (with feathered details and extra-long trains, of course) from now on. Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images.
Ariana Grande consistently goes above and beyond in the costume department. But her Sistine Chapel Vera Wang gown for 2018’s Catholic-themed Met Gala was assuredly her most extra look yet. Photo: Jackson Lee/Getty Images.
Straight out of the ocean and onto the pink carpet in custom Mugler might be the only way we want Kim Kardashian to show up anywhere for the foreseeable future. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images.
Who else freaked out when Zoë Kravitz wore millennial pink to the Met Gala during peak millennial pink popularity? Photo: J. Kempin/Getty Images.
Does it get more fabulous than Oscar-winning actress Frances McDormand in avant-garde Valentino at the Met Gala? We’re thinking not.
Photo: George Pimentel/Getty Images.
We’d be cheesin’ it too if we looked as extraordinary as Lupita Nyong’o in this sparkling green Calvin Klein number.
Photo: George Pimentel/WireImage.
It doesn’t get much more camp than carrying a 3D clone of your own head on the red carpet. Nice work, Alessandro Michele. We see you, and we appreciate you. Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images.
Kate Moss in this Marc Jacobs gold turban and backless mini combo is golden hour in human form. Photo: BILLY FARRELL/Patrick McMullan/Getty Images.
Watch out Emilia Clarke, there’s a new Mother of Dragons in town, and it’s Saoirse Ronan in Gucci. Photo: Taylor Hill/FilmMagic.
Lana Del Rey’s Gucci ensemble nailed the 2018 Met Gala’s Catholic theme. Photo: Dia Dipasupil/WireImage.
The Versace jungle dress might be J.Lo’s most iconic, but we’d argue that this baby blue Valentino gown deserves the #1 spot. Photo: J. Kempin/Getty Images.
Victoria Beckham in Victoria Beckham. That’s it. That’s the caption.Photo: George Pimentel/WireImage.
Not pictured: Billy Porter being carried onto the Met Gala pink carpet Cleopatra style by six very handsome men also wearing gold ensembles by The Blonds.Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images.
The only thing better than Cara Delevingne introducing her sleek new bald ‘do at the Manus x Machina Met Gala was the metallic Chanel pantsuit she wore.Photo: Karwai Tang/WireImage.
There’s a reason Solange Knowles goes by Saint Records, and it’s this slick black Iris van Herpen gown, gold angelic crown, and Brother Vellies thigh-high boots. That’s not really the reason, but a girl can dream. Photo: Rabbani and Solimene Photography/Getty Images.
Bella Hadid in barely there Alexander Wang needs no introduction.
Photo: Kevin Mazur/WireImage.
Possibly the most iconic of all the Met Gala looks is Princess Diana in a very daring blue Dior slip dress with a matching sapphire necklace. Photo: Patrick McMullan/Getty Images.
What’s better than Cardi B’s regal Moschino look? The beaded gown was a major showstopper. Photo: Frazer Harrison/FilmMagic.
Talk about glowing. Sienna Miller is a genuine ray of light in this Burberry micro mini. Photo: BILLY FARRELL/Patrick McMullan/Getty Images.
No one does latex fashion quite like Beyoncé, especially when it’s designed by Givenchy.Photo: Karwai Tang/WireImage.
Old Hollywood glamour doesn’t get much better than this. Photo: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic.
Erykah Badu deserves the first-place prize for her Givenchy hat game at the 2014 Met Gala. Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images.
Mary Kate & Ashley Olsen in head-to-toe black isn’t exactly groundbreaking, but that doesn’t mean we don’t also love it. Photo: Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images.
Every single inch of this J.W. Anderson original on Chloë Sevigny is absolute perfection.
Photo: Karwai Tang/WireImage.
Does Rihanna ever not look perfect on the Met Gala steps? Doubtful.
Photo: Taylor Hill/FilmMagic.
Anne Hathaway took a cue from Little Red Riding Hood with this sexy and sophisticated gold hooded gown courtesy of Ralph Lauren. Photo: George Pimentel/WireImage.
Miley Cyrus was the definitive punk princess in sheer, netted Marc Jacobs at the 2013 Met Gala.Photo: Rabbani and Solimene Photography/WireImage.
Between the extra-high slit and the extra-low back, this Stella McCartney number on Gwyneth Paltrow is the epitome of sex appeal.Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images.
This Stella McCartney cap-sleeved gown was, without a doubt, Madonna’s “Lucky Star.”
Photo: Larry Busacca/Getty Images.
Catch us re-creating Christina Ricci’s pink and red Givenchy look next Valentine’s Day.
Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage.
Tartan twinning. Photo: Evan Agostini/Getty Images.
The hair! The baubles! The corset! Every detail of Amber Valletta’s Maggie Norris and John Galliano ensemble from the 2004 Met Gala was a win if you ask us. Photo: Evan Agostini/Getty Images.
Have you ever seen anything chicer than Princess Marie-Chantal Mille of Greece wearing Valentino with Valentino? Photo: Evan Agostini/Getty Images.
Yara Shahidi took a cue from Josephine Baker and excelled. Photo: Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic.
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
The Best Looks At The 2023 Met Gala
We weren’t ready for this iconic link up! Celebrity Stylist Law Roach appeared on the…
The Beyonce Cowboy Carter era continued with Mrs. Carter wearing a LaPointe Fall 2024 custom…
The Queen of New York City, Mary J Blige hosted her third annual Strength of…
Today, we’ll examine several evening gowns suggested by readers for inclusion in our One-Hit Wonder…
Happy Wednesdays, Bombers and Bombshells! It’s been almost a full week since I attended the…
.disclaimer{width:90%;margin-bottom:1rem}.disclaimer__lines{width:100%;margin:0 auto;border-bottom:1px solid #999;padding:0;max-width:150px}.disclaimer__copy{width:100%;max-width:355px;font-family:Brown Regular,sans-serif;font-size:.9rem;font-weight:300;line-height:1.3em;color:#333;padding:0 0 .4rem;margin:1rem auto;text-align:center} All linked products are independently selected by…