By; Hermekay Dehaney

The 2025 Met Gala theme was, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” with the dress code being, “Tailored for you.” The theme was a way to honor and pay homage to Black Dandyism.  André Leon Talley, who epitomized Black dandyism, was a fashion journalist, and one of Anna Wintour’s close friends. He was known to wear tailored clothing, bold colors, and accessories which are characteristics of Black dandyism. This theme hinted more towards menswear while the dress code also gave the guests a chance to wear something that suited them. It was also noted that the dress code was “purposefully designed to provide guidance and invite creative interpretation.” 

I will rank my favorite look from what is considered fashion’s biggest night, and how well they showed off their best interpretation of the Met Gala theme. 

10. Damson Idris wearing Tommy Hilfiger 

Link to his outfit: https://www.vanityfair.com/style/story/damson-idris-on-2025-met-gala-biggest-red-carpet-reveal

Coming in 10th place, Damson Idris wore a custom white racing suit, and a red, white, and blue helmet that featured 20,000 Swarovski crystals on it to promote his upcoming film, ‘F1.’ After that, Idris revealed another outfit underneath, a custom-made matching red tuxedo suit alongside the Tommy Tartan plaid that had “80 hours-worth of gold beading contrast against the special print.” His accessories featured a brooch and some personal jewelry from his brand collection.

I think his outfit went perfectly with the theme. It had bold colors and was the perfect representation of dandyism with its timeless elements. 

9. Khaby Lame wearing BOSS

Link to his outfit: https://www.essence.com/fashion/khaby-lame-2025-met-gala/

Khaby Lame made his Met Gala debut wearing a custom BOSS suit, which he has collaborated with before on numerous campaigns. His look featured vintage pocket clocks on his waistcoat, which is a nod to the dandyism theme. It was a three-piece grey suit with a matching hat, a white shirt, and a tie. The outfit also had a trench coat, which was only on one shoulder. 

His look complemented the theme by elevating menswear. 

8. Caleb McLaughlin wearing Dior 

Link to his outfit: https://fathommagazine.com/articles/caleb-mclaughlin-stuns-in-zenith-at-the-2025-met-galaprecision-meets-power-on-the-red-carpet

Making his Met Gala debut, Caleb McLaughlin, best known for ‘Stranger Things’, wore a grey suit that had an orange collar. His look was accessorized by colorful brooches, pins, a silk tie, teal gloves, a cane, and a Zenith DEFY Skyline sapphire watch. His look had a unique flair, elegance, and contemporary elements which went with the theme. 

7. Sarah Snook wearing anOnlyChild 

Link to her outfit: https://www.townandcountrymag.com/style/fashion-trends/a64622112/sarah-snook-red-carpet-photos-met-gala-2025/

The Australian actress Sarah Snook, known for her role in the show, ‘Succession,’  had an outfit that consisted of a tailored tuxedo suit with a cape at the bottom that had red to it. Her outfit was complemented with multiple silver and red brooches by Rahaminov Diamonds and Saidian Vintage Jewels. She told Variety, “I also looked at photos from the 1980s, and Annie Lennox with that androgynous fashion and wide shoulders.” This look is in my top 10 because I love how she embedded black menswear while also tailoring to herself. 

6. Brian Tyree Henry wearing Orange Culture 

Link to his outfit: https://tomandlorenzo.com/2025/05/meta-gala-2025-brian-tyree-henry-in-orange-culture-re-dcarpet-fashion-style/

Brian Tyree Henry, an American actor secured the 6th spot with his very bold and vibrant look. He wore a custom-tailored red suit with a coat over it. The look showed hints of gold and featured some embroidery, brooches, boots, gloves, and a leather tie. He embodied the theme and was one of the few to pay tribute to André Leon Talley. 

5. Nicki Minaj wearing Tom Browne 

Link to her outfit: https://www.elle.com/culture/celebrities/a64658194/nicki-minaj-red-carpet-photos-2025-met-gala/?scrlybrkr=71a41ac8

Instead of wearing a fitted suit, Nicki Minaj chose to transform a black and white striped pantsuit into a fitted gown with a mermaid-style skirt. One of her shoulders featured floral ruffles, which made the look even more unique and added a more tailored touch to it. To top it off, her hair was in this updo with a gold floral headpiece; she also had on some bright blue nails which gave the look a hint of color. 

She did a wonderful job balancing homage and individuality in her look; her look was sharp, and bold, which is why I put it in 5th place. 

4. Jodie Turner-Smith wearing Burberry 

Link to her outfit: https://www.vogue.co.uk/article/jodie-turner-smith-met-gala-2025

Jodie Turner-Smith honored her heritage by wearing Burberry, a popular designer brand, she said, “Burberry is such a classic British brand, and it’s extra special to work with a fashion house that is representative of my roots, my beginnings.” She wore a tailored burgundy leather coat dress, and her look paid homage to Selika Lazevski, a Black equestrian who lived in Paris. Her look featured a cinched waist and a bustle which was a nod to the Victorian era in Selika Lazevski’s portrait. Her look was topped off with a tall hat that was angled at the side of her head. Her look was effortlessly timeless which is why I put her in 4th place.  

3. Cardi B wearing Burberry

Link to her outfit: https://www.elle.com/culture/celebrities/a64670743/cardi-b-red-carpet-photos-2025-met-gala/

Cardi B wore a green velvet-length suit with embroidery on it. Her stylist,  Daniel Lee told Vogue, “For Cardi’s look, we liked the idea of a tailored, feminine dandy.” Underneath her open back coat, she wore a devoré shirt that had ruffles and cuffs, and matching green trousers. Daniel Lee took inspiration from 19th-style outfits, saying, “There was one particular image we found of an emerald green gown from the 19th century: The back of the gown had a circular cutout that, for the time, would have been controversial. We liked this idea of nonconformity, keeping with the spirit of dandyism.” The sharp tailoring gave the outfit a more elegant and luxurious vibe which is why she is in my top 3. 

2. Ugbad is wearing Michael Kors  

Link to her outfit: https://www.desmoinesregister.com/picture-gallery/entertainment/2025/05/06/2025-met-gala-looks-ugbad-abdi/83478957007/

Coming in 2nd place is Ugbad. She wore a customer Michael Kors collection which paid tribute to the late André Leon Talley. Her look had a metallic charcoal paisley brocade cape with a faux silver fox collar, paired with a charcoal embroidered crystal pinstripe trouser suit. The outfit was accessorized with a bow tie, and a hat, the perfect example of the dandy style. 

1. Teyana Taylor wearing Marc Jacobs

Link to her outfit: https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Style/teyana-taylor-met-gala-2025/story?id=121509281

In the first place, we have Teyana Taylor. This look was widely praised all over social media, because it’s the perfect representation of the theme, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style.” Teyana Taylor wore a custom burgundy zoot suit ensemble-inspired outfit. The look featured feathers, lace, crystals, and a hat with a matching durag. She also added some personal touches to her outfit by featuring an embroidery of her 2018 song, “Rose in Harlem.”