Met Gala 2025: 5 Looks that You Missed

Met Monday just passed but we’re not over it yet. Like every year, the Met Gala 2025 was totally star-studded. We got served with some iconic looks, and some were a miss. But let’s be real, we’re all for it – because WE LOVE IT! The drama, the couture, and the gag-worthy appearances, the event is heaven for fashion lovers. This year’s theme was Superfine: Tailored for You, a tribute to Black Dandyism. And designers, celebrities, and fashion houses went all out with it (like they always do).

You’ve probably got the main highlights of the Met. So, I’m here to tell you what you missed. Here are some insights that you might not have noticed, but should’ve.

What was the Met Gala 2025 theme about?

This year’s theme, Superfine: Tailored for You, was inspired by Mona Miller’s 2009 book Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity. It explores how Black individuals have used clothing to assert their identity and challenge norms. So no, this year wasn’t just about theatrics. In fact, it was about representation and paying homage to the Black heritage.

“Black dandyism refers to people dressing up to assert themselves in a world where they’re denied dignity.” – Vogue

As always, the red carpet got hit with several interpretations of the theme – around 307 outfits. And I know, you’ve seen, reviewed, and gossiped about many of them.

But I also know that it would mostly be the Kardashian-Jenners, Rihanna, pop icons of today: Sabrina Carpenter and Chappell Roan, and other A-listers.

What people are not talking about are the looks that actually represented the Black Dandy essence. So, I’m going to do that here. Scroll down for the top Met Gala looks that really stick to the theme.

1. Andre 3000

This is the most genius look of the Met Gala 2025 in all aspects. First, he carried a whole ass piano on his back, paying tribute to the black music heritage. This symbolized the weight of black artistry and the expectations to create, entertain, and uplift. Andre’s outfit was the Burberry workwear that referenced the uniform of black labor throughout history. All in all, his look was a high-fashion acknowledgement of the labor and sacrifice that comes with cultural production.

2. Jeremy Pope

Pope’s Meta Gala 2025 look was a true tribute to Black tailoring. He wore a vintage Maison Margiela bodice from their 1997 collection, fashion under construction. It represents how black bodies were treated as objects to be styled or commodified. So, with his bodice under construction, he became the object shaping fashion himself. It was also a nod to black people who created garments out of necessity using whatever materials available. Truly, it was both a nod to struggle and a celebration of resilience.

“For me, fashion isn’t about overthinking, it’s about showing up at the moment, showing up for where you are, and honoring that.” – actor and singer Jeremy Pope about his style.

3. Lewis Hamilton

Hamilton’s simple ivory suit by Wales Bonner carried deep meaning. With his look, he honored the African spiritual heritage. The ivory color is often worn in ceremonies to symbolize power and purity. Another highlight of this look was the beret. It nodded to black intellectuals like James Baldwin and also referred to the black panthers’ uniform, which is also an anti-colonial symbol. This look was loud, intentional, and perfect per the Black dandyism theme.

Fun Fact!

Lewis Hamilton was the co-chair of Met Gala 2025 alongside, Anna Wintour, Pharrell Williams, Colman Domingo, and A$AP Rocky.

4. Teyana Taylor

The actress took the theme to a whole new level with her look. It was fashion, it was drama, it was representation, and it was history! She opted for a burgundy zoot-suit-inspired outfit designed by two-time Oscar-winning costume designer Ruth E. Carter. The outfit’s cape has the words “Rose Out of the Concrete” which symbolizes how the Black people rose out of all the hardships shoved upon them.

“As we embarked on our journey in this country, we were stripped of everything, stripped of our culture. A lot of times the only thing you had was to show it on your body.”- says Carter on her inspiration behind design the outfit

The other edge of the cape has words embroidered “Rose in Harlem”, paying tribute to Harlem and its history. Fun fact: Taylor also has a song “Rose in Harlem”.

5. Janelle Monáe

This look gave the EXTRAVAGANZA we look forward to! Monáe collaborated with Thom Browne and Oscar-winning costume designer Paul Tazewell to create this look ( or I should say looks). The outfit included a deconstructed suit with exposed stitching, a trompe l’oeil cape depicting a briefcase and tie, and a surreal headpiece inspired by René Magritte. The suit opens to reveal Janelle’s second look and the character she’s playing this year: Jane, the time traveler! Overall, she was a total treat for the eyes.

My hot take!

So, did Black Dandyism get the tribute it deserves?

I’d say, it did! The Met this year was all about fashion, history, and a much-needed representation. Not being Rhode (pun intended), but some outfits did fall flat and were boring to the core. But most stars were spot-on with their looks. 

All in all, every outfit on the red carpet was telling a different story – of resilience, pride, and self-expression. The tailoring, textures, and symbolism honored Black dandyism not just as a style, but as a powerful cultural statement. Hence,  the Met Gala 2025 surely was a successful celebration of legacy and identity.