What do you get when kiss curls, African fashion excellence, and lots of monochrome walk into a gala? The most talked-about edition of the Met Gala in years! Let’s break down the fashion trends that ruled the prestigious gala.
Beyond the glamour, one thing we look forward to is the Met Gala trends that emerge from a blend of fashion season’s predictions and the gala’s theme. The 2025 Met gala was no different and it felt even more personal than previous years. With the theme “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” designers and guests showcased their best representation in intellectually stimulating and visually compelling ways.
This 2025 Met gala wasn’t just fashionable—it was powerful. Apart from serving us some of the most outstanding looks, the Met gala also raised over $31 million for The Costume Institute, the highest in its 77 year history. A monumental achievement the fashion world will remember for years to come.
Just like the fundraising, the Met Gala trends didn’t play it safe either. Guests blended history with boldness, paying homage to culture while rewriting the rules. It was clear from the first look on the blue carpet that there was nothing ordinary about this year’s event. It was a statement. And we loved every second of it.
From the opulent corsets to striking monochrome, the blue carpet was filled with cultural expression and avant-garde flair. The event transcended aesthetics and became a storytelling of the past and present, tradition and innovation. We took notes of the standout Met Gala trends just for you, so if you want to strut in your own superfine way, keep reading.
Here are the Met Gala trends that stole our hearts, made us sit up, and had us texting our fashion group chats all night:
Colours elevated the Met gala trends with intention
The 2025 Met Gala proved that colour is never just colour. Black and white seemed to be the unofficial dress code. Tyla turned heads in sculpted Jacquemus monochrome elegance, Kamala Harris kept it sharp and presidential, while Imaan Hammam looked impossibly cool in a crisp white suit paired with a black shirt. The contrast was clean, minimal and powerful—fashion’s version of punctuation.
Then came the wine, burgundy and crimson tones. Jodie Turner-Smith served deep elegance in a custom Burberry burgundy jacquard corset, shirt and embossed bustle coat. Damson Idris switched up his red carpet look, trading his F1-inspired suit for a modern spin on “Tommy Tartan.” He wore a custom rouge tuxedo by Tommy Hilfiger, drawing inspiration from the brand’s iconic 2000 archive collection.
Burna Boy also made a colourful statement in custom Ozwald Boateng with a red wool tuxedo and an oxblood cape. Lauryn Hill made her Met gala debut in a yellow suit from Cheney Chan and Andra Day made TMobile proud in a hot pink suit by Jerome Lamaar.
These colours spoke, they referenced royalty, tradition and sophistication. Every shade had something to say and we were listening.
Corsets ruled the Met Gala carpet
Although we see corsets on almost every red carpet, they were more intriguing at the 2025 Met Gala. It was interesting and also quite fitting to the theme considering they’ve been a staple in fashion history through the years. On the blue carpet, the women weren’t just snatched, they were elegant.
Savannah James showed up in a sculptural striped Hanifa piece and took the spotlight. It was daring, elegant and things dreams are made of. Another showstopper was Zoe Saldana in a monochrome Thom Browne tuxedo dress. Forget the traditional corset—Zoe brought a fresh, bold energy with a black plissé piqué bodice that hugged her figure in all the right ways. The shiny white embroidered bugle pinstripe sleeve and skirt, the extended bow at the waist? Absolutely unexpected, and so chic. Rihanna also showed off her bump in a custom Marc Jacobs look featuring a striped corset underneath her crop jacket.
Corsets weren’t just a trend at the Gala; they were the moment.
The power of polka dots
A bit unexpected and almost overlooked, polka dots also made a stunning appearance at this year’s Met Gala, proving they’re not just a playful print but a true statement of style. Rihanna complemented her Marc Jacobs skirt-suit with a whimsical touch of a polka dot necktie. Together with her oversized, jaunty hat, they added a layer of personality to the classic tuxedo-inspired look, turning heads in the best way possible.
Priyanka Chopra also graced the carpet in a polka-dot dress suit by Olivier Rousteing, an exquisite mix of bold patterns and refined elegance. Paired with Bulgari jewels, her look was sophisticated with just the right amount of fun. Similar to Rihanna’s take, Colman Domingo also sported a striking polka dot necktie and a boutonniere that added extra flair to his already stunning ensemble. His take on the print was charming and kept things playful, perfectly complementing the overall boldness of the night.
1930s and 1940s hair styles returned as one of the standout Met Gala trends
When we saw the theme, we knew the girls would come through with the retro hairstyles, and they didn’t disappoint. Beauty came full circle with the resurgence of iconic styles, and let me start with the kiss curls also known as the Betty Boop bangs.
There’s something so soft yet so strong and intentional about the kiss curl From Simone Biles and Quinta Brunson to Coco Jones and Ayo Edebiri, these finger-curled baby hairs weren’t just a look—they served as art. They captured the essence of what the 2025 Met Gala trends were about: paying homage while looking ahead. The kiss curls were glossy, swooping, and meticulously placed.
Other retro hair trends from the 1930s and 1940s also made a strong appearance at the event like Cardi B’s 4c inspired hair texture. We also saw sculptural updos as another showstopper, with Nicki Minaj. Megan Thee Stallion and Doja Cat bringing bold, architectural designs to life. Ayra Starr, Tyla and Nicole Kidman also showed us how a pixie cut could be fierce. The ladies definitely channeled the timeless elegance of Josephine Baker with these looks. They weren’t just hairstyles, they were statements, full of history, beauty, and a vision for the future.
Nail art were a quiet movement
The nails were just as fabulous. From Ego Nwodim’s button-detailed manicure which had us zooming in, to Jennie Kim’s pearl chain nails? Obsessed. For once, nails were not an overlooked accessory, they were part of the outfit, the story, and the entire look. Whitney Peak took it up a notch by stunning us with a cigarette nail that made a statement all on its own. Coupled with her exquisite Chanel black and red tweed set, she was a dandy vision to behold.
Cynthia Erivo also understood the assignment, her signature stiletto tips were adorned with black, white, and red embellishments, custom-designed by nail artist Mycah Dior, which tied in beautifully with the detailing on her Givenchy jacket.
We fully support matching nails to jewellery, to gowns, even to earrings. It shows fashion-consciousness and an elevated knowledge of beauty. These nail art were integral to the theme and took their place in the spotlight as one of the more fun and daring Met Gala trends.
Jewellery defined the boldest Met Gala trends
Listen, we loved the clothes, but the jewellery this year was an epic moment. From the moment Coco Jones walked in in her bedazzled outfit and statement Manish Malhotra drop necklace, we knew we were in for a dazzling night. Halle Berry also made a glamorous statement with her diamond necklace from the new Cartier High Jewelry collection. It featured lozenge and triangle-cut diamonds with onyx accents that hid a snow leopard’s face. A subtle but intruiging detail. It was stunning and perfectly complemented her Laquan Smith outfit.
Anne Hathaway made a reference to her Ocean’s Eight character with a huge sugarloaf sapphire that could stop traffic. Priyanka Chopra’s emerald statement necklace was impossible to ignore, it immediately caught the eye. It wasn’t just the colour, but the sheer opulence of it that elevated her look exquisitely. Laura Harrier was a stunning vision in custom Zac Posen/GAP look accessorised with a dazzling statement choker.
Beyond the necklaces, we saw other stunning statement accessories that added personal touches to the guests’ looks. Colman Domingo’s ear cuffs were one for the books, adding edgy elegance to his look. We love to see men stun in their accessories just as much as women and the co-chair definitely did.
These weren’t just pretty pieces, they were powerful and reflected the opulent theme of the evening. They easily rivaled the outfits as one of the top Met Gala trends.
The statement beauty looks
The makeup trends at the 2025 Met made a striking statement. From high blush placements to colourful eyeshadow and glossy lips, the ladies were fully in their makeup glam. Keke Palmer and Precious Lee showed us how to make blush work for a standout carpet look. Tems and Cardi B wore weren’t scared to go with colourful eyeshadows for a fun pop of color that looked both playful and fierce.
Shimmer and embellishments were also popular, from Lupita’s bold, sparkly eyebrows to Doechi’s dazzling eyeshadow that had us all mesmerized. She also added a Louis Vuitton logo placement on her cheek in the signature Doechi style we love.
Vampy lips made a strong comeback, seen on stars like Sabrina Carpenter, Lauryn Hill, and Lizzo. It gave the looks a moody, dramatic edge that was very much on theme. Lastly, we saw defined contours and glossy lips done right. Zendaya’s nostalgic ‘90s-inspired makeup particularly blended boldness with elegance.
From vibrant eyes to glossy finishes, this year’s makeup was all about making a statement that couldn’t be ignored.
Hats were a hit amongst the Met Gala trends
We love a good hat moment. The hats at the 2025 Met Gala made us proud. Teyana made her appearance on the carpet with a top hat that was a retro fashionista’s dream. It was nothing short of breathtaking and from then on, the hat-stopping moments never ceased.
Zendaya’s white floppy hat was a chic take on the women who walked before her—Diana Ross and Bianca Jagger. It was the perfect accessory to her Louis Vuitton zoot suit and she looked like she meant business as always. We also couldn’t get over Jodie Turner-Smith’s top hat, a moment we had to take in. It was just the right touch to her edgy and we expected nothing less. Janelle Monae, Tracee Ellis Ross, Mary J. Blige, Jennie Kim, Angela Basset, Kim Kardashian, and Whoopi Goldberg are just a few of the classy women we spotted in standout hats.
The men weren’t left out. Bad Bunny’s pava hat by Prada was a cultural reset and Spike Lee’s Knicks hat gave us the coolest uncle’s street style look we didn’t know we needed.
In the rank of accessories at the event, hats are in the top 5 on the list of Met Gala trends for me.
Brooches made a comeback and became an unexpected Met Gala trend
Our mothers still own some of their old, bold brooches from decades ago, so with a theme like this year’s Met Gala it made sense to expect brooches to make a comeback on the red carpet. From Colman Domingo to Lupita Nyong’o and Keith Powers the brooch moments turned a single accessory into the centre of the entire look.
Lewis Hamilton’s pearl dripping diamond brooch added a regal touch to his ensemble. Also adorning his beret, the brooch detailing was subtle yet undeniably powerful. Teyana Taylor’s brooches really pushed the boundary with five brooches layered across a dramatic cape. It wasn’t intended to be subtle, and it made her statement outfit more beguiling. Similarly, Sarah Snooks’ stack of brooches on her black jacket was intriguing. Sydney Sweeney made an alluring statement with the statement gold brooch paired with her sequined dress.
This detail is a reminder that no element is too small when there’s thought behind it.
Cultural references through personal style
We love when culture shows up and shows out, and this year, it absolutely did. Ayo Edebiri made an emotional ode to her Edo roots with coral beads. The beads embellished on her dress and woven into her hair, were regal, respectful, and absolutely beautiful. Ayo’s dad expressed intense pride in her look, a reminder that she never forgot her roots. The reimagined beads were made of glass and adorned her custom Ferragamo dress in a pattern reminiscent of Edo royal accessories.
Tems also turned heads on the carpet dressed by British-Ghanaian fashion designer Ozwald Boateng. The singer brought Black dandyism to life, channeling West African roots with stunning audacity. It was an impressive interpretation and a refreshing take on the theme away from the dandy suits. Tems wore a dramatic peacock blue dress with pinstripe sleeves, a mermaid-style hem, and the bow, which gave the illusion of being made from traditional Ankara fabric, was actually crafted from a softer, silkier material blending cultural references with couture-level elegance.
Then, Buzzfeed Nigerian journalist Obehi Imarenazor showed up representing her Nigerian roots in a bold yellow gele and ankara set from Ofuure. A striking sight that added cultural pride and flair to the night.
These cultural references weren’t just surface-level, they were woven into each look with intention and meaning.
The 2025 Met Gala trends weren’t just about what people wore but what they communicated through their style. Every detail told a story and for the first time in a while. This year’s theme was a love letter to Black creativity, legacy, and self-expression. And in our opinion, The 2025 Met Gala just raised the bar for fashion and storytelling alike.
