MET GALA 2026 RECAP

Many came, few tore.

May 05, 2026

Last night was the First Monday in May, the Costume Institute Benefit, the MET. GALA.

This, to me, is the Super Bowl. If I could place a parlay on Rihanna showing up, wearing Schiaparelli, and being 4 hours too late, I would. I guess I could now, on Polymarket.

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Yesterday at work, I looked particularly horrible, so it was especially funny that I would be judging the world’s most beautiful people on what they were wearing. That isn’t to say I was wrong in any way, though.

It was definitely one of the more underwhelming Gala’s in recent time. I honestly feel like it gets worse and worse each year—the fact that there was a Nader sister there at 5:15 sharp was enough to keep my expectations low. Too much black, too much chiffon, too much Chanel for an event that one could call a Mugler layup.

My favorite MET Gala themes have been, in this order, Camp, China Through The Looking Glass, and Heavenly Bodies. That was the last time anyone tried, genuinely. Here are some of the best looks from those in my humble opinion:

Of course, as a true MET Head, I understand that this event was way better when actual celebrities didn’t go, when it was socialites, models, “fashion people”, and those who were true patrons of the arts. People like Tinsley Mortimer:

Or Chloë Sevigny:

Or Liv Tyler and Stella McCartney:

There were no Bravo-lebrities or Love Island cast members. The theme was more wink wink than cosplay. It had some decorum.

I don’t want to be a hater for this entire letter. I obviously love the MET Gala. I’m just a little disappointed and yearning for some REAL FASHION!

For those of you who live normal lives, let me give you a little rundown.

The theme this year was “Costume Art”, in accordance with the Costume Institute’s latest exhibit of the same name, which explores the intersection of fashion, the body, and art.

The MET Gala’s theme is meant to be followed, which some people seem to be a little confused about, even the ones who work at Vogue! Funny how that works.

There are a lot of armchair experts on Twitter that come out once a year to judge and say that so-and-so wasn’t on theme, so-and-so was boring, etc. Sometimes, it’s a little more nuanced and not so much in your face. Sometimes, the trolls have a point, and it’s completely off the mark.

Designers and news outlets buy tables to invite celebrities and guests. If a designer invites you, then you wear them. For example, Camila Morrone and Laufey both wore Tory Burch, walked the carpet with Tory herself, and sat together. The money used to buy tables then goes into funding the Costume Institute.

I always make a trip to visit the yearly exhibit and if you’ve never done so, I absolutely implore you to. It’s worth whatever line you have to wait in and whatever trek uptown you have to make.

Let’s get into the things I loved for a little vibe switch.

BEST DRESSED:

Chase Infiniti in Thom Browne

This. Was. PERFECT. Such a beautiful dress that didn’t scream Thom Browne like I’ve felt in year’s past, and so incredibly stunning on her. The glam is perfect, z e r o notes.

Olivia Wilde in Thom Browne

I am an Olivia Wilde apologist. I think she could write a Lena Dunham Famesick-style memoir about everyone hating you for no reason, and she should. I’ve loved a loose ponytail ever since I was a little girl…and another winner for Thom! Get me to his table!

Kylie Jenner in Schiaparelli

A lot of people must’ve gotten confused and thought they were going to the Grammy’s from the way they were dressed in these big ball gowns or slender, sexy black dresses. Kylie looks like she’s going to THE COSTUME INSTITUTE BENEFIT. COSTUME. COST. UME. I love seeing an edgier side to her and I’m a sucker for a bleached brow. It’s the art school in me.

Blue Ivy Carter in Olivier Rousteing

I had to check my notes when writing down Olivier until I saw him fixing Blue’s hair on the carpet with his own two hands! Blue Ivy is a star. She is poised, elegant, and I love seeing her confidence shine at such a young age. This is what you should be wearing to the MET at 34, let alone 14. So classy. So elegant. Sculptural in form which is in accordance with the dress code but still appropriate for a gal so young.

Emma Chamberlain in Mugler

As one of the first ten people to arrive on the scene for her hosting duties, it was going to be really hard to follow Emma Chamberlain. To me, she absolutely nailed the theme. The silhouette is excellent on her.

WORST DRESSED

Kendall Jenner in GAP Studio

One of my distinct childhood memories is when Helen Hunt wore H&M to the Academy Awards in 2013. I can literally see her say H&M to the red carpet correspondent as clear as day. These things have no place on runways such as the Costume Institute. It was cute when it was a denim dress on Anne Hathaway, but enough is enough. This would be appropriate for the VMAs (derogatory).

Heidi Klum in God knows what

I just like, don’t understand why she does this.

L*uren S*nchez B*zos in Schiaparelli

Senior Prom, Dallas, Texas, 2016.

Joe Alwyn in Valentino

It’s for sure cool when guys stray away from a regular tux. I don’t know that we need to go as far as a Peter Pan x Star Wars crossover if it were produced by a high school drama department, though.

Joe Burrow in unknown