All the little things: Met Gala 2025's best fashion details

On the first Monday of May, the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art transformed once again into fashion’s most storied runway. This year’s theme, 'Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,' is more than just a dress code—it’s a cultural deep dive. Superfine was more than a reference to fabric quality—it was a sharp nod to Black dandyism, a tradition steeped in resistance, refinement, and reinvention.

The night celebrated the sartorial excellence of Black culture and its enduring influence on global fashion, from 19th-century tailoring to 21st-century statements. It was a tribute to those who, across time, have dressed not just to impress, but to assert their presence in rooms they were once excluded from. Coinciding with the costume institute’s spring exhibition, the showcase spotlights the power of clothing in shaping Black identity across the African-American diaspora and celebrating personal style as a tool of expression, resistance, and self-definition.

As the red carpet unfurled with a delicate motif of narcissus flowers and camera flash bulbs fired like clockwork, co-chair Colman Domingo set the tone in custom Valentino—regal yet razor-sharp, a masterclass in classic tailoring reimagined for modern royalty. Making a long-awaited return, music icon and legend Diana Ross swept into the Met in a breathtaking Ugo Mozie gown, its 18-foot train embroidered with the names of her descendants—a literal lineage stitched into silk. While fashion’s perennial muse Naomi Campbell was noticeably absent, others made sure the drama stayed dialled high. The carpet also saw the arrival of a flamboyant Teyana Taylor, who delivered power and poetry in a sculptural Marc Jacobs suit that fused precision with rebellion running through all the details. And Zendaya, never one to do just one look, stunned not once but twice—each ensemble a surreal blend of vintage fantasy and structured function, proving she remains one of the red carpet’s most thrilling shape-shifters.

With Tailoring Black Style as the night’s style script, the Met Gala 2025 red carpet delivered a fashion feast where every look came with layers—of meaning, of craftsmanship, of pure couture magic. Think precision cuts, poetic embroidery, dramatic trains, and silhouettes that stopped time (and traffic). Here’s a closer look into the details of best dressed from the evening that left fans gasping, double-tapping, and screenshotting.

Pinned to perfection

From Art Deco heirlooms to custom creations featuring African symbolism and family crests, the brooch wasn't just an add-on—it was the message. In a night all about precision, pride, and personal style, this classic piece proved it still has the power to anchor a look—and say a lot while doing very little. All starry eyes were on Shah Rukh Khan as he served with a diamond star brooch glinting at his lapel. Lewis Hamilton, on the other hand, went vintage glam with a Briony Raymond brooch piece from the 1980s, shimmering in white, yellow, and pink diamonds. Meanwhile, The Bear star Ayo Edebiri gave her Ferragamo look a cheeky twist with a whimsical Cartier dog clip brooch—crafted in 1966 from 18k yellow gold, rubies, and enamel. Yes, a diamond dog. The brooch was the most favourite accessory last night.

Hats off to all the hats on

If brooches were the sparkle, hats brought the drama. This year’s Met Gala red carpet turned into a full-blown headwear fantasy, with stars tipping their hats—literally—to the theme’s tailoring roots and dandy flair. From wide brims to sculptural toppers, the accessory once reserved for tradition and ceremony came back with fresh, fashion-first energy. There were top hats, fedoras, berets, and bedazzled creations that turned heads. Priyanka Chopra Jonas walked out of a '60s Hollywood movie and landed right on the Met carpet as she paired her Balmain polka dot suit with matching black gloves and a wide-brimmed black hat. Zendaya, always one to serve a look with layers, stepped out in the crispest all-white tailored suit, also topped with a floppy white hat that screamed vintage drama meets modern cool. Bad Bunny was the perfect blend of classic and cultural, rocking a Prada suit paired with a pava—the traditional Puerto Rican straw hat—bringing his roots to the Met with stylish pride. Internet’s favourite, Jennie from BLACKPINK kept it sleek and chic in a Chanel tuxedo dress paired with a minimalist hat. Whether sharp, soft, sculptural, or sparkly, the headwear at the Met Gala 2025 brought spirit, flair, and texture to the carpet in the most joyful way.

Sheer Genius, up and down

In line with the theme’s love for detail, elegance, and historical flair, the return of opera gloves and monogrammed stockings gave major nods to vintage glamour while feeling totally of the moment. The gloves came in all moods—sleek, sheer, embroidered, leather, and even metallic. Dua Lipa’s look was sheer perfection as she walked in a tailored dress by Chanel and elbow-long sheer gloves that were bejewelled with gemstones, very similar to Ema Chamberlin’s choice of see-through gloves that added theatrics to their looks.

Shakira wore a custom Prabal Gurung pink gown and cape, and also accessorised with black polka dot lace gloves. The pantless parade was in full swing on the Met Gala 2025 carpet, proving that less (fabric) really can be more (impact). Louis Vuitton led the charge with leg-baring looks that blurred the lines between tailoring and tease. Helen Williams, wife of co-chair Pharrell Williams, turned heads in a leather bodysuit layered over monogrammed tights. Lisa, still riding the high of her viral Coachella set and buzzy The White Lotus moments, made her Met debut in a sleek black blazer and embellished bikini briefs, and mesh monogram stockings. Sabrina Carpenter brought her signature pop princess-meets-couture energy in a rich burgundy unitard and a cropped, collared blazer with dramatic tails. And of course, Doja Cat did what Doja Cat does—stepping out in casual stockings and sky-high style, once again proving she’s fashion’s most unpredictable darling.

Shades of Glam

Even as the rains poured down last evening, many celebrities were spotted making an appearance with umbrellas over them and tinted metal frames on. As co-chair of the 2025 Met Gala, A$AP Rocky took his look to the next level with diamond-encrusted Ray-Ban Wayfarers, adding a touch of bling to his classic black suit and Marmot jacket. It was a subtle yet striking nod to the evening’s celebration of Black excellence. Meanwhile, fellow co-chair Pharrell Williams stayed true to his signature cool, keeping his jet-black shades firmly in place indoors. The sunglasses added a sleek edge to his perfectly tailored ensemble, infusing his look with an air of effortless style. Emma Chamberlain brought her quirky charm to the carpet with sharp metal frames that complemented her pixie cut, and of course, Sabyasachi stayed true to his own refined aesthetic, wearing tinted pink frames.

Armed and fabulous! 

You can’t talk about dandyism and not think canes, and in one striking case, a ceremonial sword. They emerged as powerful symbols of poise, heritage, and personal style. The canes weren’t mere accessories; they were objects steeped in history with a hint of swagger. Shah Rukh Khan made a royal entrance, marking his much-anticipated Met Gala debut in a custom Sabyasachi look, with an 18k gold cane, studded with precious stones. The cane acted as both jewel and scepter. Angela Bassett embodied controlled glamour in a midnight-blue velvet jumpsuit with sharp tailoring, softened by sheer paneling that added depth and dimension. Her look was punctuated with a sleek black cane—no embellishment needed. It was a gesture that didn’t scream for attention but rather signaled authority and elegance. Diljit Dosanjh brought a singular moment to the Met red carpet—one that wove the elegance of the dandy with the solemn strength of his Sikh heritage. Dressed in a sharply tailored cream sherwani, he held a ceremonial kirpan (sword) at his side, its metal hilt glinting under the museum lights. 

Handle with flair

From legendary icons to genre-bending rebels, each star who toted a bag proved that even in a night built around tailoring, the right accessory still knows how to steal a little spotlight. American singer-song writer, Lauryn Hill made a rare and much-celebrated return to the spotlight in a sunshine yellow sculptural suit. But it was her cerulean blue Hermès Kelly that sealed the deal. Tucked neatly in hand, the bold pop of colour was proof that when Hill accessorises, she does it with maximum intention. Then came Bad Bunny, never one to shy away from a fashion curve. In a sleek Prada ensemble laced with Dandy flair, he swung a monstrously oversized bowling Prada bag like it was the season’s must-have clutch. It felt tongue-in-cheek and totally unexpected. Teyana Taylor, already a frontrunner for best dressed in a crimson Marc Jacobs power suit, went the extra mile with a matching clutch that echoed the richness of her monochrome moment.

Dripping in diamonds 

The sparkle of high-wattage diamonds added an extra layer of spectacle to the Met Gala evening. Returning after a seven-year hiatus, Halle Berry captivated in a sheer, black-striped LaQuan Smith gown, complemented by Cartier’s Tsagaan snow leopard diamond necklace boasting over 31 carats of diamonds. Isha Ambani also showcased an 80.73-carat cushion-cut diamond piece from her heirloom collection, and the piece was made to replicate Cartier’s famed Toussaint necklace along with a touch of Tiffany with the rings. Met’s favourite Kardashian, Kim accentuated her outfit with heavy diamond chokers, silver hip chains, and studded with stones and pearls from head to toe.

Knotted in style

From intricately tied silk scarves to bold, embellished ties, attendees embraced these accessories to honour the theme’s celebration. Male attendees leaned into the theme with deliberate neckwear choices—Nick Jonas, A$AP Rocky, and Andrew Scott each made strong cases for the scarf-as-statement, knotting theirs with a sense of ease that read both dandy and directional. Rachel Brosnahan took a more abstract approach: her sleek purple gown featured a tailored tie detail draped gracefully around her neck and trailing down her back—an unexpected, gender-fluid nod to menswear codes. And in perhaps the most literal and theatrical interpretation of the theme, Demi Moore wore a custom Thom Browne creation that transformed the classic necktie into a full-blown silhouette. The bodice was twisted into a knot, the skirt mimicked the length and shape of a traditional tie, and the loop became a sculptural headpiece—proof that even the most familiar accessory can be completely reimagined on the Met carpet.

Lead image: Getty Images

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