Real Reviews for the 2025 Met Gala

The 2025 spring exhibition is titled, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” and the accompanying dress code was “Tailored for You“. The theme explored Black style and the history of Dandyism. This is also the first Met Gala theme to be solely focused on the male dress attire (looking at suits and tailored items in the same range). The exhibition was inspired by Guest Curator Monica L. Miller’s book, “Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity.” Now, if, like me, you had no idea what Dandyism is, Vogue magazine explained it very nicely:

“Dandyism is often described as a style, but it’s more than just aesthetics. The original dandy—most famously embodied by figures like Beau Brummell in 18th-century Britain—was a man whose primary purpose was to stand out by being impeccably groomed and dressed. Brummell, whose personal motto was “Don’t talk about your clothes, let your clothes do the talking,” revolutionized fashion by elevating personal style to an art form. He rejected the flamboyance of past aristocratic dress, favoring understated, sharp tailoring that emphasized refinement over ostentation.”

 

With all that said, you know, having some background always helps, let’s get into some of my best and worst dressed for this years Met Gala:

 

BEST

Teyana Taylor

If hitting the nail on the head was a person, it’s Teyana. She killed the theme (as I expected she would). All the chain accessories, the hat and the MASSIVE beautiful trained cape *chef’s kiss* Number 1 Female. Personally.

Choi Seung-Cheol (SEVENTEEN Leader)

Courtesy of Hugo Boss, Seung-Cheol (better known as S.Coups by the fans), was dressed in a mordern Hanbok type suit and wow! The sleekness of the Dandyism mixed with the major nod to his heritage (you know, since the dress code was Tailored to You, he had to have a little bit of South Korea with him on the runway) Favourite Male of the night for sure!

Rihanna

At least we got an update on her album with the baby bump update (we’ve been waiting for the release BTW). But, the reason I like her outfit so much is the inception of it. The suit jacket wrapped around her hips, tied at the back, with the neck tie detailing and the big hat. Plus, those shoes? Big throwback to the style of the 1920’s/1930’s black and white formal shoes scratched a part of my brain.

Janelle Monae

Janelle knows how to show out. This overcoat she had on with the reveal of the half-and-half black and red outfit. To die for. I love the monocle with the little top hat. The detailing on the “suit” is so precise and clean cut, which made for a great statement piece.

LISA (BLACKPINK)

Now I get this is little revealing and looks plan and boring. BUT hear me out. I watched the behind the scenes of Lisa and Pharrel talking about what went into creating this statement piece and I feel like the details get lost in these pictures. The body suit and the jacket are embroidered recreations of an artwork by Henry Taylor, where there are faces from people like friends, family and neighbours in Henry’s life (which if you look close enough, you’ll see the little faces), as well as the Louis Vuitton logo and small crystals in the detailing.

Dapper Dan

His name says it all. He looked proper dapper to me. Like with Rihanna, he has the same design 1920’s/1930’s shoes on, just more obviously. And it is paired very well with the jacket, waistcoat and the hat. The detail matches on the waistcoat and jacket matching, as well as the clock, broach and necklace accessories in gold, give another layer of “super fine” like the theme for this year. The lax fit of it all is also something I prefer for him and this look as a whole.

Zuri Hall

I love that she didn’t just come in a plain evening gown (like some girlies decided). I love that she added the suit tailoring in her own way to the front of the dress, but still kept it clean, sleek and classy. It is a little more on the plain side, but the effort to honour the male dress attire was there so we salute it.

Damson Idris

Damson, Damson, Damson. Probably the best entrance I have seen in a while. Not only did he come in with the Formula 1 helmet and suit over his actual outfit, he ACTUALLY drove a Formula 1 car to his entrance. He came in flashy and I LOVED it! So as much as he is just wearing a plain suit, the colour, broach accessory, and the detailing on the one side of the suit adds a little flair to it. Overall, a good presentation.

Regina King

Regina King was definitely the king of details for me. Because HELLO!?!! Can you see the embroidery on this? According to People magazine, “The bodice is adorned with intricate angel embroidery, drawing inspiration from biblical narratives reimagined through the cultural lens of people of color.” Now even without the story and meaning behind the imagery, it was veru beautifully done and expressed. *Round of Applause*

Coco Jones

COCO JONES!!! A woman with style. Much like Teyana, I’ve rarely been disappointed in her outfits cause she never goes simple. But it’s always still so classy and elegant. This long trained suit jacket (and the matching pants) have so much lace, jewels, pearls and embroidery detailing that is obvious but not. The fact it all matches the colour of the material makes it very clean for me. Plus, the big necklace and sleek hairstyle, clean’s it up. So LOVE this one.

Barry Keoghan

Now as much as this is more on the simple side, and the internet is saying he was more dressed for a conclave and should’ve stayed home, I actually think this is something a little different in a nice way. The florals on the sleeves, with the red silky scarf and crystals on the cuffs and collar, as well as the style of the jacket, makes it a not so plain suit, which I much rather prefer. Something different, lending more to the Tailored for You side of the theme than Dandyism though. Still looked good though.

Quinta Brunson

Now, more on the simpler side, but the detailng is gorgeous to me. Quinta rocks this beautifully tailored balck and while stripped dress with the little peak-a-boo black slits by her side and it fits her so well. The line detailing with the little jewels in between are very clean. So she makes the pass. Plus, don’t forget to look at the blinged out inner lining of the jacket.

 

WORST

Rege-Jean Page

Rege-Jean. A very attractive man, and he looks good in thsi outfit. BUT… I’m sad to sya, it’s just very plaine and boring. The only thing I really like about this is the broach. But the colour, suit design. Nah, next.

Demi Moore

Demi could’ve done so much better. There was no need to her to come dressed as a tie, AT ALL. And yes, she’s supposed to be a tie. NOt a good look on her, and just not a good look at all.

Priyanka + Nick Jonas

Priyanka and Nick did go for something a little different but I must say, I got more Great Gatsby out of this than Dandyism. Fully. Again, they do look good, but they just missed the mark completely for me.

Lewis Hamilton

Oh my Lewis. The material is something different, I’ll give him that. And the little detail piece the side of the pants does catch my eye. But i still find it a little plain, and I feel more effort could’ve gone into it to create something more fitting.

Jeff Goldblum

Again, plain and boring. The cape brings it in a little bit, adding some class. But he’s just wearing a normal suit. Nothing fancy there. But then again, I don’t think I can really expect more frojm Jeff Goldblum.

Rachel Brosnahan

The plain evening gown I mentioned earlier? Yeah, this is what I meant. She looks gorgeous and the dress fits SOOOOO well. But she missed the mark, she did nothing special and this felt like just another fancy night out instead of the Met Gala.

Hailey Bieber

I would have to say, I may be most disappointed in Hailey’s look. Firstly, the heels for me were a BIG no. And then, I don’t know who thought her just throwing on a suit jacket and stockings was the best way to embody Dandyism but I hate (love) to break it to them, it’s not. It’s giving little effort, last minute and boring.

 

So that’s all I have to say about this years Met Gala. Some wins, some misses and some that we will allow to live to see the next one, hoping they do just a little more to impress us.