60 of the most outrageous looks in Met Gala history

Danielle Jackson,Daniel Boan,Celia Fernandez,Mykenna ManieceMay 3, 2024, 20:27 IST

Rihanna at the 2017 Met Gala; Jared Leto at the 2023 Met Gala; Kim Kardashian at the 2022 Met Gala.Philip Rock/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images; Jeff Kravitz/Contributor/FilmMagic; Gotham/Contributor/Getty Images

Daring, wild, and over-the-top designs are a key part of Met Gala fashion.
Stars like Jared Leto, Rihanna, and Kim Kardashian are known for fully embracing the theme.

The Met Gala is one of the most outrageous fashion events of the year thanks to its elaborate themes and corresponding dress codes.

With the freedom of interpretation, stars have arrived at the exclusive, multimillion-dollar event in everything from handmade tank tops to elaborate jeweled gowns and even a chandelier.

Ahead of this year's Met Gala on Monday, May 6, here's a look back at 60 of the most outrageous looks celebrities have worn to fashion's biggest night.

In 1999, Liv Tyler and Stella McCartney wore handmade "Rock Royalty" tank tops to the "Rock Style"-themed Met Gala.

Liv Tyler and Stella McCartney at the 1999 Met Gala.Mitchell Gerber/Contributor/Corbis/VCG via Getty Images

Embracing 2004's 18th-century theme, Amber Valletta showed up wearing Maggie Norris Couture.

Amber Valletta at the "Dangerous Liaisons: Fashion and Furniture in the 18th Century" Met Gala in 2004.Evan Agostini/Getty Images Entertainment

Taking her adoration for Coco Chanel to another level, Karolina Kurkova attended 2005's ball in a floor-length white gown.

Karolina Kurkova at the Met Gala in May 2005.Evan Agostini/Getty Images Entertainment

Charlize Theron hit the red carpet in 2006 wearing a beautiful burgundy gown by Christian Dior.

Charlize Theron and John Galliano at the "Anglomania" Met Gala in May 2006.Larry Kramer/Getty Images Entertainment

Sarah Jessica Parker was draped in plaid alongside her date, designer Alexander McQueen, in 2006.

Sarah Jessica Parker and Alexander McQueen at the "Anglomania" Met Gala in May 2006.Evan Agostini/Getty Images Entertainment

Style queen Daphne Guinness paid tribute to her late friend Alexander McQueen in 2011.

Daphne Guinness at the "Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty" Met Gala in May 2011.Larry Busacca/Getty Images Entertainment

Supermodel Naomi Campbell also paid tribute to McQueen that year by wearing one of his designs.

Naomi Campbell at the "Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty" Met Gala in May 2011.Larry Busacca/Getty Images Entertainment

Serena Williams attended the Met Gala that same year in a feathered white Oscar de la Renta ball gown.

Serena Williams at the "Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty" Met Gala in May 2011.Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images Entertainment

Also present at 2011's tribute to Alexander McQueen was Christina Ricci.

Christina Ricci at the "Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty" in May 2011.Larry Busacca/Getty Images Entertainment

In 2013, Madonna sported a black bob and a Givenchy by Ricardo Tisci ensemble for the "PUNK: Chaos to Couture" theme.

Madonna at the "PUNK: Chaos to Couture" Met Gala in May 2013.Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Entertainment

Nicole Richie also embraced the punk theme by dyeing her hair this ghostly silver-gray color.

Nicole Richie at the "PUNK: Chaos to Couture" Met Gala in May 2013.Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images Entertainment

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West wowed at the Met Gala in 2013.

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West at the "PUNK: Chaos to Couture" Met Gala in May 2013.Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Entertainment

But Miley Cyrus really made a statement that year in this fishnet dress designed by Marc Jacobs.

Miley Cyrus at the "PUNK: Chaos to Couture" Met Gala in May 2013.Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images Entertainment

Lupita Nyong'o made several best-dressed lists in 2014 thanks to this emerald-green Prada dress.

Lupita Nyong'o at the "Charles James: Beyond Fashion" Met Gala in May 2014.Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Entertainment

In 2015, Rihanna basically won the red carpet (and unintentionally became a meme) with this bright-yellow, fur-trimmed cape designed by Guo Pei.

Rihanna at the "China: Through the Looking Glass" Met Gala in May 2015.Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images

Beyoncé left little to the imagination when she wore this daring Givenchy gown to 2015's Met Gala.

Beyoncé at the "China: Through the Looking Glass" Met Gala in May 2015.Neilson Barnhard/Getty Images Entertainment

Jennifer Lopez chose a sheer Versace gown.

Donatella Versace and Jennifer Lopez pose on the red carpet at the 2015 Met Gala.Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/Contributor/FilmMagic

Solange Knowles looked like an optical illusion in her circle dress in 2015.

Solange Knowles at the "China: Through the Looking Glass" Met Gala in May 2015.Larry Busacca/Getty Images Entertainment

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West wore matching metallic silver Balmain ensembles in May 2016.

Kim Kardashian-West and Kanye West at the "Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology" Met Gala in May 2016.Larry Busacca/Getty Images Entertainment

Beyoncé wowed the crowd with another Givenchy gown in 2016. This one was made with latex material and featured pearl embellishments.

Beyoncé at the "Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology" Met Gala in May 2016.Larry Busacca/Getty Images Entertainment

Solange dressed head to toe in a lemon-yellow ensemble by David Laport.

Solange Knowles at the "Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology" Met Gala in May 2016.Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Entertainment

When it comes to making fashion statements, Madonna never disappoints.

Madonna at the "Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology" Met Gala in May 2016.Larry Busacca/Getty Images Entertainment

Lupita Nyong'o took another risk in 2016, wearing a shimmery, mint-green Calvin Klein gown.

Lupita Nyong'o at the "Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology" Met Gala in May 2016.Larry Busacca/Getty Images Entertainment

Leave it to Lady Gaga to show up in a fierce Versace ensemble complete with a leotard and a cropped metallic jacket.

Lady Gaga at the "Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology" Met Gala in May 2016.Larry Busacca/Getty Images Entertainment

Rita Ora wore this feathered frock designed by Vera Wang in 2016.

Rita Ora at the "Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology" Met Gala in May 2016.Larry Busacca/Getty Images Entertainment

Claire Danes was glowing (literally) in 2016 thanks to this glow-in-the-dark ball gown by Zac Posen.

Claire Danes at the "Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology" Met Gala in May 2016.Larry Busacca/Getty Images Entertainment

Zoe Kravitz walked the red carpet in 2016 in a dress with a giant bow on the back.

Zoe Kravitz at the "Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology" Met Gala in May 2016.Larry Busacca/Getty Images Entertainment

Katy Perry made heads turn in 2016 in this black Prada gown with gold embellishments.

Katy Perry at the "Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology" Met Gala in May 2016.Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Entertainment

She then arrived looking like an actual angel with some oversize wings by Versace in 2018.

Katy Perry at the "Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination" Met Gala in May 2018.Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images

Rihanna wowed everyone yet again in 2018 with a Margiela ensemble that seemed to be inspired by the pope.

Rihanna at the "Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination" Met Gala in May 2018.Neilson Barnard/Getty Images

Solange's gown by Iris van Herpen featured one of the most elaborate structural designs of the 2018 event.

Solange at the "Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination" Met Gala in May 2018.Neilson Barnard/Getty Images

Frances McDormand had one of the most head-turning looks on the red carpet.

Frances McDormand at the "Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination" Met Gala in May 2018.Jamie McCarthy / Getty

Greta Gerwig then took the 2018 theme and ran with it with this nun-inspired design by The Row.

Greta Gerwig at the "Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination" Met Gala in May 2018.Neilson Barnard/Getty Images

Jared Leto also opted for a literal interpretation of 2018's theme.

Jared Leto at the "Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination" Met Gala in May 2018.Neilson Barnard/Getty Images

Sarah Jessica Parker also had one of the most elaborate looks of the evening with a nativity scene as her headpiece.

Sarah Jessica Parker at the "Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination" Met Gala in May 2018.Neilson Barnard/Getty Images

Lady Gaga arrived at the 2019 Met Gala in a sweeping pink gown by Brandon Maxwell.

Lady Gaga at the 2019 Met Gala.AP

Katy Perry lit up the pink carpet in a chandelier-inspired look in 2019.

Katy Perry at the 2019 Met Gala.Charles Sykes/Invision/AP

At the 2019 Met Gala, Billy Porter wore a golden ensemble by The Blonds.

Billy Porter at the 2019 Met Gala.Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images

Cardi B stole the show with the flowing red train of her dress in 2019.

Cardi B at the 2019 Met Gala.Neilson Barnard/Getty Images

In 2019, Janelle Monáe arrived in a showstopping ensemble by Christian Siriano.

Janelle Monáe at the 2019 Met Gala.Theo Wargo/Getty Images

Priyanka Chopra opted for a semi-sheer design with a crown-like headpiece in 2019.

Priyanka Chopra at the 2019 Met Gala.John Shearer/Getty Images

Yara Shahidi went with a custom Prada ensemble for the 2019 Met Gala.

Yara Shahidi at the 2019 Met Gala.Theo Wargo/Getty Images

Stella Maxwell wore a daring sheer design in 2019.

Stella Maxwell at the 2019 Met Gala.Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images

In 2019, Cara Delevingne brought a touch of rainbow color to the carpet.

Cara Delevingne at the 2019 Met Gala.Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images

Emily Ratajkowski turned heads in a daring ethereal design in 2019.

Emily Ratajkowski at the 2019 Met Gala.John Shearer/Getty Images

The frills on Céline Dion's shimmery dress were hard to miss in 2019.

Céline Dion at the 2019 Met Gala.Kevin Mazur/Getty Images

Jared Leto carried a replica of his head as an accessory in 2019.

Jared Leto at the 2019 Met Gala.Theo Wargo/Getty Images

Tiffany Haddish's zebra-print suit was a bold look.

Tiffany Haddish at the 2019 Met Gala.Evan Agostini/Invision/AP

Michael Urie wore two different looks at once in 2019.

Michael Urie at the 2019 Met Gala.Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images

Dan Levy's custom JW Anderson look for the 2021 event had so many hidden details.

Dan Levy at the 2021 Met Gala.Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images

Lil Nas X made an entrance at the 2021 Met Gala by wearing three Versace looks.

Lil Nas X at the 2021 Met Gala.John Shearer / Contributor / Mike Coppola / Staff / Getty Images

Kim Kardashian attended the 2021 Met Gala covered in head-to-toe black.

Kim Kardashian at the 2021 Met Gala.Theo Wargo/Getty Images

Frank Ocean made a bold choice at the 2021 gala by arriving with a robot baby in his arms.

Frank Ocean at the 2021 Met Gala.Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue

Rihanna wore an over-the-top, all-black Balenciaga look.

Rihanna at the 2021 Met Gala.Theo Wargo/Getty Images

A$AP Rocky followed his girlfriend Rihanna's lead in this quilt-like ERL look.

A$AP Rocky at the 2021 Met Gala.Theo Wargo/Getty Images

Megan Fox stole the show at the gala in a red Dundas gown with criss-cross cutouts and a high slit.

Megan Fox at the 2021 Met Gala.Mike Coppola/Getty Images

Grimes accessorized her Iris Van Herpen dress with a sword.

Grimes at the 2021 Met Gala.Taylor Hill/WireImage

Kim Kardashian caused one of the biggest controversies in recent Met Gala history by wearing a dress that belonged to Marilyn Monroe in 2022.

Kim Kardashian at the 2022 Met Gala.Gotham/Contributor/Getty Images

Jared Leto took 2023's theme, "Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty," literally.

Jared Leto at the 2023 Met Gala.Theo Wargo/Staff/Getty Images for Karl Lagerfeld

Leto wasn't the only one to take inspiration from Choupette; Doja Cat appeared in her own feline outfit.

Doja Cat at the 2023 Met Gala.Jeff Kravitz/Contributor/FilmMagic

Critics have panned Jerry Seinfeld's 'Unfrosted.' One called it 'one of the worst films of the decade.'

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