The strongest looks at the Met Gala were those that pushed the creative envelope by fully embracing the Superfine theme through bold interpretations. Standout elements—for both men and women—included power-shouldered zoot suits, a reverence for intricate beading, striking and unexpected color combinations, and the vibrant use of ethnic African prints, all of which infused the theme with energy and cultural context. While Hollywood gowns and traditional glamour will always have a place on the red carpet, the looks that truly stood out took a more unconventional approach—staying true to the theme while leaning into the theatricality that defines the Met Gala.
There was no shortage of white suits on the red carpet—a look that made a crisp impact and cut through much of the proverbial noise. Interestingly, the white suit also carries cultural weight: it’s long been a way to draw attention, a subtle emblem of male vanity. Think of Hollywood dandies like Robert Redford in The Great Gatsby, or Humphrey Bogart, whose ivory suits were fit for a life of leisure. More recently, the look has taken on a rock-and-roll edge, louche and languid—epitomized by Mick Jagger, with a trail of irreverence always following behind him.
It was interesting to see the white suit reinterpreted and worn with deliberate distinction by both men and women—the latter stripping it of its innocent, bridal-centric associations and transforming it into something far bolder and more defiant. Zendaya and Imaan Hammam, in particular, delivered fierce takes on the look, making such a striking impact that you can bet white suits are set to skyrocket as the defining trend of the summer—sharp, commanding and cut like a knife.
Lots of white, plenty of black-and-white–but surprisingly, not as much bold color as one might expect from a dandy-centric, African American adjacent theme. That said, those who did lean into color did so with a painterly hand: color-blocking pale pastels against bright pinks and bursts of red, creating palettes worthy of their own murals. Andrew Scott, in particular, looked like he’d been styled through the eyes of a masterful colourist–draped in minty green, and thoroughly modern with the unexpected pairing of rust and red. Tracee Ellis Ross, no stranger to playful color, brought her A-game in a sculptural Marc Jacobs suit that was as bold and bright as her personality. And closing it out: Lupita, in that seafoam minty green, a true palette cleanser of a look.
Beading and African prints–both central to Black culture and rooted in African heritage—were interpreted in modern, inventive ways. Ayo Edebiri, always on the cusp of sartorial excellence, embodied this beautifully in Ferragamo. Meanwhile, Shaboozey made sure his turquoise beaded suit by Robert Wun matched his teeth, as well as his Audemars Piguet watch—an unexpected and wildly creative flex, as one might expect from a true original.
Tems, dressed by Ozwald Boateng, the British designer of Ghanaian heritage known for his Savile Row craftsmanship, made a dramatic statement. Boateng reinterpreted rich ethnic prints with flair, complete with a printed umbrella that evoked the beating sun of years past, adding both symbolism and spectacle. Despite also dressing Henry Golding in a richly hued, orangey-brown suit, it would’ve been great to see more ethnic prints make an appearance on this occasion. One pattern that did resurface to dramatic and creative effect, however, was the pinstripe—long synonymous with zoot suits of the era. It was reimagined as a slinky, deconstructed dress on Emma Chamberlain, and taken to full-on domineering heights by Teyana Taylor, whose football player–esque shoulder pads were designed by Ruth E. Carter, the trailblazing African American costume designer behind Black Panther and Wakanda Forever.
Closing it out is Whitney Peak—not because she was the most on-theme (though she hit the mark to an extent), but because, in custom Chanel and a perfectly tied pussy bow, she was literally the coolest woman on the red carpet, smoking an old school cigarette, a total throwback vibe. This commentator has no more words. Thank you, and good night.
