The 2024 Met Gala red carpet has come and gone, and fashion enthusiasts are buzzing with opinions about this year’s unforgettable looks.
The Theme: “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion”
The star-studded event took place on May 6 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This year’s theme, “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion,” coincided with the unveiling of the Costume Institute’s latest exhibit featuring 50 significant pieces in fashion history, many too delicate to ever be worn again.
Dress Code: “The Garden of Time”
As with every Met Gala, guests were presented with a unique dress code. This year’s directive, inspired by J.G. Ballard’s 1962 story “The Garden of Time,” called for interpretations of fleeting beauty. Anna Wintour, editor-in-chief of Vogue and a long-time curator of the event, encouraged guests to capture the essence of this theme.
Celebrities Shine and Miss the Mark
As attendees arrived at the iconic Met steps, it quickly became apparent who had embraced the theme and who had not. Stars like co-chair Zendaya and red carpet host Emma Chamberlain donned striking gowns that reflected the earth’s elements showcased in the exhibit.
On the flip side, some celebrities opted for more conventional attire. Meryl Streep’s unforgettable line in The Devil Wears Prada seemed to echo in the air: “Florals? For spring? Groundbreaking.” A few attendees, particularly some men, appeared to have settled for simple suits instead of fully committing to the dress code. Even co-chair Chris Hemsworth chose a cream-colored suit, more suited for a standard Hollywood event.
Social Media Reactions
The lack of on-theme outfits did not go unnoticed. Many took to X (formerly Twitter) to voice their disappointment.
“This theme wasn’t HARD,” one user tweeted. “It’s unacceptable!”
“THE THEME IS GARDEN OF TIME. WHAT IS SO HARD ABOUT THAT?” another person lamented.
Missed Opportunities
Here’s a rundown of notable attendees who fell short of capturing the spirit of “The Garden of Time.”
Chris Hemsworth
(Getty Images)
Despite serving as one of the gala’s co-chairs, Hemsworth’s simple off-white Tom Ford suit didn’t resonate with the theme. It lacked floral elements, although its muted hues could be loosely tied to the sands of time.
Matt Damon
(AFP via Getty Images)
Damon and his wife coordinated in classic black and white, but the actor’s Dior tuxedo felt too understated for such a momentous occasion. The Met Gala deserves more than mere subtlety!
Morgan Spector
(Getty Images)
While known for his stylish looks, Spector’s red and black ensemble with oversized poppies felt too literal, veering away from the subtleties of the theme.
Lauren Sanchez
(AFP via Getty Images)
Sanchez made her Met Gala debut in an Oscar de la Renta gown. However, her black and white, stained-glass-inspired dress seemed to miss the extravagant mark set for the event.
Donald Glover
(Getty Images)
Glover’s relaxed tan suit attracted jokes online, with many saying it resembled more of a middle school dance getup than attire for a fashion gala.
Gigi Hadid
(AFP via Getty Images)
Supermodel Hadid’s off-the-shoulder yellow and white dress was among her less memorable Met Gala moments.
Alison Oliver
(Getty Images)
Oliver wore a brown bedazzled cape with a floral lining, which could harmonize with the evening’s theme but ultimately faded into the background.
Jamie Dornan
(Getty Images)
Dornan’s classic three-piece suit fared slightly better against the theme, but the oversized elements of his outfit gave off a rushed appearance.
Kylie Jenner
(AFP via Getty Images)
Known for her fashion-forward choices, Jenner’s champagne-colored Oscar de la Renta gown was unexpectedly subdued, leaving several online to label her as the “goddess of disappointment.”
What are your thoughts on the fashion choices at the 2024 Met Gala? Which looks stood out to you, and who do you think truly embraced the theme?
