133 Best Met Gala Looks of All Time (Yes, We’re Digging DEEP in the Archives for This One)
Trying so hard not to make this a Rihanna and Zendaya stan list.
Is it me or does April always feel incredibly long? I’ve been waiting (patiently so, me thinks) and it’s finally time! The Met Gala—aka the Oscars of fashion—is right around the corner. If you’re not familiar with what it is, here’s a lil rundown before we get to the good stuff. The Met Gala (or the Met Ball) is a star-studded charity event that happens every year (with the exception of the pandemic) on the first Monday of every May. Held at the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, there’s always a theme that the guests are encouraged to follow which makes for many of fashion’s greatest moments (and memes—tee-hee).
On May 6, our faves (and some of our not-so-faves) will show up and show out in the most fabulous designs following the dress code "Garden of Time" to call attention to the new exhibit theme called “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion.” On February 15, 2024, Vogue cheekily announced its 2024 Met Gala cochairs, who are none other than *drumroll, pls*: Bad Bunny, Chris Hemsworth, Jennifer Lopez, and Zendaya! As the outlet put it, “This year’s cochairs reflect a variety of career achievements, and all have distinct style histories with the Met Gala.”
To kick off all of the fashion feels, I’m taking you into the Getty archives for the ultimate looks (133, in fact) of all time. We’re talking Princess Diana in Dior. Rihanna’s golden gown. Bella Hadid’s revenge catsuit. And oh, this isn’t like any list, no. I’ve not only scrounged up the best looks from the ’80s to now. I’ve also scooped up the behind-the-scenes action, the tea, and background stories that’ll pique your fancy.
PS: I tried really really hard not to make this list Rihanna and Zendaya stan list...but you gotta admit, they’re the queens of the Met Gala (no way am I biased—take it as truth!) Anyway, soak in all this goodness as we await the stars to hit the carpet next week! Also, here’s some more Met content (best and worst dressed, cringeworthy moments, and a list of celebs who have never attended) to keep ya occupied!
Tarah-Lynn Saint-Elien is the fashion editor at Cosmopolitan, writing weighty and witty stories that run the gamut of gushing over Zendaya to convincing you of everything you need in your closet! She began her journey in the industry with a fashion and faith blog and an internship at Elle.com almost 10 years ago. Since then, she's also served as the style editor at The Haitian Times. The Haitian-American pageant queen is a Syracuse Masters graduate and the author of two books, including: Claim Your Crown. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter: @iamtarahlynn.
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