The theme of the night was “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style”, drawing heavily from Professor Monica L. Miller’s book, Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity. Dandyism is the context, and some attendees of the 2025 Met Gala took it literally, not just referencing or homaging dandies, but actually dressing as a dandy.
Jeremy O. Harris leads the way in a 19th century-inspired dandy outfit from Tory Burch.
The fit comes complete with a custom, Fabergé-style ring enameled with Harris’s portrait. The ultimate dandy accessory—your own portrait on an exquisite diamond ring. Here is jewelry designer Benjamin Hawkins explaining Harris’s portrait ring:
@toryburch Benjamin Hawkins explains the design behind @Jeremy O. Harris’s custom ring. #MetGala #JeremyOHarris
♬ original sound - TORY BURCH
I REALLY love Harris’s outfit, it’s a literal take on Black Dandyism and it’s executed flawlessly. And the tailoring is PRECISE! This is a beautiful execution of theme, but it really works because Harris, a playwright, filmmaker, and actor, is a performer himself. He is performing the role of “The Dandy”, not just wearing the clothes, but embodying the spirit. I love love love this look. Harris also wrote an essay for Vogue about being a modern dandy, which you can read here.
Another modern dandy is Cole Escola, who, like Jeremy O. Harris, is a multi-hyphenate writer and performer (they were recently nominated for two Tonys and a Pulitzer for their play, Oh, Mary!). And like Harris, Escola is embodying the spirit of dandyism with their slightly camp, mod take on suiting.
But wait, there’s more! Shaboozey matched a turquoise beaded drape to his grill and paired it with an amazing hat and an incredible take on the necktie. This is also another suit that is beautifully tailored.
And breakout Severance star Tramell Tillman made his Met Gala debut in Thom Browne. Mr. Milchik is here to SERVE.
Then there is Maluma, who wore a floral zoot suit by designer Willy Chavarría, who wore his own pink zoot suit.
The suits are meant to honor Pachuco style, and Chavarría explained the role of style in resistance, which has not always been celebrated in mainstream American culture (see also: zoot suit riots). When people approach the Met Gala theme with intention, it becomes an opportunity to learn, and Maluma and Willy Chavarría’s suits are history adorned in style.
Chance the Rapper wore literal adornments in a suit by Versace, which many are choosing to see as an homage to Coming to America. Style is a big part of that movie!
Chance the rapper with the “coming to America†drip for metgala pic.twitter.com/s4O4ZpdnKj
— sureboy 🪖 (@Asarailu_) May 6, 2025
Speaking of movies, F1 star Damson Idris showed up in a Tommy Hilfiger racing suit to stunt for the film, revealing a red suit, also by Hilfiger. Honestly, Damson Idris is so handsome he makes anything he’s wearing look good. But I like this sort of 70s take on dandyism with the open collar and gold necklace.
@mtvuk Damson Idris’ Met Gala outfit reveal might just be one of my favs ever… 😱 #DamsonIdris #MetGala #MetGala2025 #MTVCeleb
♬ original sound - mtvuk
Finally, the godfather of modern Black dandyism, Dapper Dan, the legendary Harlem-based designer who mixed haute couture textiles with street style in the 80s and 90s (often to the outrage of establishment designers). Dapper Dan also took inspiration from zoot suits for his look, which he designed himself.
Dapper Dan is practically a landmark unto himself, the man who brought high fashion to hip-hop and helped shape modern Black dandyism. Tons of attendees namechecked “Dap”, and it felt like a homecoming for him to be honored in such a way at an event like the Met Gala. Dapper Dan fought the fashion establishment for decades, only to end up with one of his pieces on display in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. You know the gossip I want from the Met Gala this year? Did Tommy Hilfiger apologize to Dap for trying to run him out of business and take credit for Dap’s influence on hip-hop style?
