The Most Iconic Looks Of All Time At The Met Gala

You really can't forget some of these outfits...

Updated on2nd May 2025 at 4.30pm

The Met Gala is the biggest night in fashion. Period. It was conceived as an annual fundraiser for The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute, which is now known as the Anna Wintour Costume Center, marking the opening of the museum's annual fashion exhibition with a red carpet that plays host to style that can only be described as surreal, outrageous and spectacular.

The Met Gala 2025 theme is Superfine: Tailoring Black Style, while the event's starry co-chairs include A$AP Rocky, Colman Domingo, Lewis Hamilton and Pharrell Williams, as well as LeBron James, who is serving as honorary chair.

Since the inaugural Met Gala, which was held in 1948, the event has gradually become known as the fashion industry's equivalent of the Oscars, while the guest list is usually a who's who of Hollywood - and beyond. This year's hosting committee includes Ayo Edebiri, Regina King, Spike Lee and Janelle Monáe, as well as luminaries from the worlds of sport (Sha'Carri Richardson, Simone Biles and Angel Reese), not to mention music (Doechii, Tyla and Usher).

The Met Gala's most iconic outfits haven't just broke the internet on the night itself. They're so jaw-dropping that we still talk about them. Kim Kardashian's Met Gala record is legendary. Who remembers when she arrived wearing a wet-look corset by Thierry Mugler, which whittled her waist to such an extent that she had to enrol in breathing classes before wearing it? (In 2024, Kardashian's Met Gala outfit was yet another waist-trainer that caused internet controversy.) Or when she wore a dress made famous by Marilyn Monroe - the very one the actor wore to sing 'Happy Birthday Mr President' - and reportedly damaged it during the process of walking up the red carpet. Kardashian apparently won't be attending the 2025 Met Gala, but our favourite guest of all-time most likely will: Rihanna.

It's also worth waiting for RiRi, who takes fashionably late to new levels but who always understands the assignment. In 2018, with a theme of Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination, Rihanna arrived wearing a high-fashion mitre that was bedazzled and then some. Even when she's turned into a meme - who remembers the infamous omelette dress that was actually a rather fabulous gown by Guo Pei? - she still steals the show.

Scroll down to remember some of the best – and most daring – looks in recent history.

SEE: The Best Dressed Celebs At The Met Gala

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Doja Cat wearing Oscar de la Renta

Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty, 2023

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Michelle Yeoh wearing Prabal Gurung

In America: An Anthology of Fashion, 2022

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Cynthia Erivo wearing Louis Vuitton

In America: An Anthology of Fashion, 2022

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Jodie Turner-Smith wearing Gucci

In America: An Anthology of Fashion, 2022

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Lizzo wearing Thom Browne

In America: An Anthology of Fashion, 2022

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Kim Kardashian wearing the famous dress belonging to Marilyn Monroe

In America: An Anthology of Fashion, 2022

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Lil Nas X wearing Versace

In America: The Lexicon of fashion, 2021

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Yara Shahidi wearing Dior

In America: The Lexicon of fashion, 2021

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Billie Eilish wearing Oscar de la Renta

In America: The Lexicon of fashion, 2021

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Michaela Coel wearing Balenciaga

In America: The Lexicon of fashion, 2021

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Zoë Kravitz wearing Saint Laurent

In America: The Lexicon of fashion, 2021

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Kim Kardashian wearing Mugler

Camp: Notes on Fashion, 2019

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Hamish Bowles in Maison Margiela Artisanal

Camp: Notes on Fashion, 2019

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Lady Gaga wearing Brandon Maxwell

Camp: Notes on Fashion, 2019

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Billy Porter wearing The Blonds

Camp: Notes on Fashion, 2019

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Jemima Kirke and Lena Dunham, both wearing Christopher Kane

Camp: Notes on Fashion, 2019

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Janelle Monae wearing Christian Siriano

Camp: Notes on Fashion, 2019

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Katy Perry wearing Versace

Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination, 2018

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Rihanna wearing Maison Margiela

Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination, 2018

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Ariana Grande wearing Vera Wang

Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination, 2018

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Amal Clooney wearing Richard Quinn

Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination, 2018

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Cara Delevingne wearing Dior

Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination, 2018

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Madonna wearing Jean Paul Gaultier

Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination, 2018

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Rihanna wearing Comme des Garçons

Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons: Art of the In-Between, 2017

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Blake Lively wearing Versace

Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons: Art of the In-Between, 2017

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Cara Delevingne wearing Chanel

Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons: Art of the In-Between, 2017

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Gigi Hadid wearing Tommy Hilfiger

Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology, 2016

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Kim Kardashian wearing Balmain

Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology, 2016

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Kendall Jenner wearing Atelier Versace

Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology, 2016

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Emma Watson wearing Calvin Klein

Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology, 2016

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Beyoncé wearing Givenchy

Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology, 2016