Yes, it’s a very classic, stylish look.
No, it is not the most original – as we can see by the fact that, first of all, there are myriad variations on this theme seen here, and second, that there are other looks we highlighted elsewhere that could, in theory, have fit in this category.
But at the same time, this is one of those looks where the basic elements are so well known they can be riffed on forever, and there’s no limit to how well it can go. So, consider this a museum tour as we examine the permutations of the classic combination:
Zoe Saldaña might be in the platonic ideal of this look – the Thom Browne isn’t revolutionary, but it’s very, very well done, and combined with her sleek as hell bob it’s a really timeless and memorable version. What I would have given to see something like this in the Oscar run… but I digress.
Co-chair Pharrell was always, of course, going to be in Louis Vuitton by his own design– the beauty here is in the details, to the tune of 100,000 (I assume seed) pearls on his jacket that took almost 1,000 hours to make.
Even though his ability not to age is approaching Paul Rudd/ woman-with-painting-in-the-attic territory, I like that Pharrell looks so completely timeless. Like no matter what, when schoolchildren in the future do research projects on Pharrell Williams, he will always have looked just as sleek and stylish and quietly unconcerned as he does here.
This look from Monica Barbaro is objectively well-tailored, but it feels too perfect for my taste. Too cutesy or copied from a book or something. You could put her directly into a period piece.
By contrast, this look from Jennie of BLACKPINK is more successful. It has a take, the proportions are good, and it doesn’t seem like she has to play with it to show off how full the skirt is – it drapes beautifully and it is massive without overwhelming her.
Sadly for Jennie, though, that’s not the story that’s playing today. Not that BLACKPINK is a monolith, but Jennie and her bandmate Rosé (above in straight dramatic black from Saint Laurent) are going to get less play for their red carpet looks, and more mentioning in the same breath, much like I’m doing here …
…as this look on Lisa.
Zoom in on her ass. You did it, you creeper, didn’t you? Or maybe you didn’t, but someone did. Enough to find out that the faces all over her crotch and ass and assorted other nethers are… possibly, maybe, historical figures?
Here’s what they definitely are confirmed to be, per LV: “the lace replicates elements from a Henry Taylor artwork depicting portraits of figures from the artist’s life.”
I don’t know who could have thought this was a good look, or a statement – I can, however, see how this might have started as sleeve or collar embroidery and sort of… taken on a life of its own.
Palate cleanser? Don’t mind if I do - introducing Lakeith Stanfield in the best outfit he’s ever owned.
To me this is poised to become elevated far above even the Met Gala. Look at him, standing there. Almost floating, right? You wouldn’t be so surprised if you saw him in outer space, would you?
Please join me in letting this man become our next Sad Keanu. Our next Tina Fey’s Kid. You can see it, right?
One thing about people at the Met Gala, they’re gonna love props. In addition to being a gorgeous shot, this is one of the only images where Lizzo isn’t theatrically wielding her cigarette holder. If you ask me, she’s wishing it was a flute.
She looks great in this Christian Siriano and I … am really rather impressed with the blonde hair? Am I crazy or does the whole aesthetic actually work really well and seem sort of comedic, but actually mostly very straight-up bombshell and not Lucille Ball or Betty Boop?
I had to look at the pics of Nicki Minaj closely at first because I didn’t process this as her. I don’t know why exactly, but I found these shots some of the most compelling of the night. I have, as mentioned, a bias toward any kind of a stripe, but it was something else about her look tonight.
I hate this word, truly, but …I feel like we’ve never seen her look softer. Or not in this way. Like even her hair is usually so angular. This felt undone in a really surprising way.
And now we come to the top of the top.
AYO. Why do you do this to us?
She said this look, inspired by her dad and grandfather, both very dapper dressers, was “West Africa meets West”, and I wonder whether she actually worked that out beforehand or if it came up while she was riffing with Ego and Teyana, because they were clearly having a very enjoyable time.
Obligatory shot of Jeremy Allen White, for those who want to know if they breathed the same oxygen at one point or another. I have no comment on this beyond that, and frankly (sorry, Jer) no interest. Calvin Klein is about simplicity, but this is not it (and to your credit, sir, you seem to know this).
Lastly, and probably best-in-class, Tessa Thompson is not merely wearing a take on black and white, courtesy of Prabal Gurung – she is doing a whole take on a character, yes – but a time period. Look at her, she’s not here with us right now:
She’s somewhere back in another era, with another life to lead that might bring someone who knew her here someday. For me it’s not just that the styling and cut are evocative of that era, but that they make this gorgeous look somehow seem lived in, as though it really has been hers for decades and she’s a time traveler… which, considering how similar she looks to her first onscreen appearances 20 years ago, might actually be fact.
And then… what’s this, breaking in the wee-est hours of the morning? Apparently there was one more guest who understood the dress code …
Kamala Harris stuns at the Met Gala. pic.twitter.com/aHtwmu9Xss
— Democrats (@TheDemocrats) May 6, 2025
If you’ve been out of view for any length of time, Kamala Harris arriving at the Met Gala (even secretly and/or through back doors, since there’s no pics of her on the actual arrivals) is a very public way to remind people you’re here. I like it for her and I like it symbolically.
That said, is anyone a bit surprised that this information was disseminated through Twitter? Just me? Where’s an Emhoff Instagram when you need one?
