The 2025 Met Gala Recap: Black Dandyism, Tailored Drip & Met-Flops
- Tracey Houston
- May 15
- 6 min read
Hey Besties, Belles, and Beaus! Yall! Anyone who knows me, knows I watch the Met Gala entrances start to finish. It is THE fashion event of the year. Anyone with an extra ticket to the 2026 Met Gala they wanna share with me? Anyone? We'll if you come across a ticket/invite don't forget your favorite TT!! Alright, buckle up. Let's get Carried Away with the 2025 Met Gala!
This one wasn’t just about slaying the red carpet—it was about culture, craftsmanship, and personal expression. The theme? “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style.” Focusing on Black dandyism and the history of Black men's style in the Atlantic diaspora. The dress code? “Tailored For You.” And the vibe? Elite. Let’s break it down 💅
📝 2025 Met Gala Co-Chair Lineup?
Straight-up chef’s kiss for this year’s theme.💋
We’ve got Colman Domingo, Lewis Hamilton, A$AP Rocky, and Pharrell Williams holding it down—with the King himself, LeBron James, stepping in as honorary chair. A few of them are Met Gala vets, others are still kinda new to the game, but either way? The mix is so on point.
And of course, Anna Wintour’s still in her forever spot as co-chair—because at this point, she’s basically the Met Gala’s final boss.
🧵 What Was the Theme Really About?
“Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” wasn’t just about looking sharp—it was a whole love letter to the art of Black fashion. We're talking about how Black designers have been remixing, elevating, and owning style for centuries, even when the system wasn’t built for them.
It was about honoring the craft of tailoring through a Black cultural lens—fitted silhouettes, luxe textures, intention. Think Harlem Renaissance energy with a modern twist.
🖤 What Even Is Black Dandyism?
So glad you asked, babe.
Black dandyism is when Black men (and femmes) flex tailored, luxe fits—think suits, silks, and sauce—but do it with a twist. It’s not just about looking good (though let’s be real, they always do); it’s about reclaiming style as power.
Historically, Black dandyism flipped the script on Eurocentric fashion rules. It’s like, “Yeah I’m wearing a three-piece, but I’m doing it my way—with swag, defiance, and Black excellence stitched into every seam.” Basically? It’s soft power in a sharp silhouette.
✂️ The Dress Code: “Tailored For You”
This year’s dress code, “Tailored for You,” was all about pulling up in a fit that felt authentically you. Guests were invited to put their own spin on the theme, and the carpet ended up looking like a fashion mixtape—blending vibes from vintage zoot suits straight outta 1940s jazz clubs to fire looks from today’s top Black designers.
People showed out with the details too—canes, brooches, pocket squares, pianos on their backs… all the little extras that added meaning, personality, and flex. It wasn’t just about looking good, it was about saying something through the drip.
🔥 Best Looks of the Night — Certified Slays
Let’s talk about who devoured the carpet:
Colman Domingo: Colman Domingo straight-up royal-coded at the 2025 Met Gala—like, this man didn’t walk the carpet, he floated.
He popped out in a pleated electric blue Valentino cape moment that had everyone gagged. We’re talking full drama, full sparkle, main character energy. Underneath? A sequined breastplate that looked like fashion armor. He topped it all off with iced-out Boucheron jewels—necklace, studs, a gold ear cuff—and flexed a gold Omega watch like, “Yes, I’m on my time.”
Then he really said plot twist—ditched the cape mid-carpet and revealed a whole second slay: a black-and-white windowpane blazer, polka-dot ascot, boutonniere, and gray wool trousers. Grandpa-core but make it high fashion. Honestly, Colman didn’t just serve—he hosted the whole dinner.
Diana Ross: The Met Gala navy carpet had just started poppin’ when Diana Ross pulled up and shut the whole thing down—like, traffic? Paused. Everyone knew a moment was happening.
Making her first Met appearance since 2003, the music legend came through looking like straight-up royalty. She wore a blinged-out white gown covered in crystals, topped with a dramatic feather-trimmed cape and a hat so extra it deserved its own invite. The train? Massive. It took six people to get it laid out right on the carpet.
And the best part? Ross called it a “family gown” because it was embroidered with the names of all her kids and grandkids. Icon behavior. She didn’t just serve fashion—she brought legacy to the carpet.
Zendaya (obvi): She never misses when it comes to the Met Gala—like, she’s got perfect attendance on the style scoreboard.
This year? She understood the assignment (as always) and ate it up. Rocking an all-white fit that was sharp AF, she pulled up in a Pharrell-designed Louis Vuitton three-piece suit: tailored blazer, vest, tie, wide-leg pants, floppy hat, and heels. It was giving boss energy with a side of vintage flair. Hair snatched into a sleek bun under that creamy hat? Yeah, she was serving “power dandy” and left no crumbs.
Rihanna: Rihanna really said “go big or go home” and used the 2025 Met Gala red carpet to drop the ultimate bombshell—she’s pregnant with baby #3.
Pulling up as the last arrival of the night (because let’s be real, the show doesn’t start ’til she walks in), Rih had the whole carpet on lock. Dressed head-to-toe in Marc Jacobs, she popped out in a black cropped wool jacket, a snatched wool bustier bodysuit, a tailored pinstripe skirt with a dramatic bustle, and a polka dot satin cravat—giving peak luxe business baddie. She topped it off with ankle chain heels and a custom hat made with Stephen Jones that screamed rich auntie vibes.
The baby bump reveal? Soft-launch who? Rihanna went full cinematic drop and reminded everyone: she’s not just in her era—she is the era.
🚨 Worst Looks — Flops & Fashion Felonies
We’re not here to bully, but some people came dressed for the wrong event. Like, did y’all even read the email? Of all the looks two made the fashion felony list.
Halle Berry: She pulled up in LaQuan Smith, and listen—we love her down, she’s an icon, full stop. But even legends have off days… and this one? Yeah, it kinda stung.
The fit showed a lot of skin, but not in a way that felt intentional or on-theme. It was giving “funeral at the ballroom” vibes instead of anything close to “Tailored For You.” No cohesion, no storytelling, just vibes—and not the good kind. We’re not saying she can’t show skin (please, she’s Halle Berry), but this look just didn’t say anything.
The gown had a deep plunging neckline, sheer panels showing she skipped the undies, black sequin stripes, and a dramatic circular train. She tried to elevate it with a cropped black blazer, a netted veil fascinator, and iced-out Cartier bling—including a statement necklace and matching drops—but it still felt low-key unfinished.
Real talk? The alternate look she didn’t wear was honestly hotter than the one that hit the carpet. This one had potential, but it missed the mark. We know Halle can eat—this just wasn’t the plate.
Lorde: Well we time-traveled straight back to the mid-2000s — and not in a cute Y2K way.
She stepped out in a custom silver Thom Browne two-piece that had a killer sheen and a bandeau top that defied all laws of physics (seriously, how was that staying up??). But the skirt? Yeah… it was giving bandage dress flashbacks, and not in a nostalgic way. Kinda tired, kinda outdated, and not really hitting the “Tailored For You” vibe.
Honestly, if she had paired that gravity-defying top with some tailored pants or wide-leg trousers? It would've eaten. But as-is? It just didn’t serve the edge we know she’s capable of. Lowkey our least fave look of the night—it just missed.
In her chat with Emma Chamberlain, Lorde called the outfit “her creation” and teased it was an Easter egg, saying “more will be revealed.” She also opened up about the open-back design, saying it reflected where she’s at gender-wise: “I feel like a man and a woman, kind of vibe.” And that part? We loved. The message was powerful—the styling just needed a little more punch to match.
🌱 The Vibe
This year felt different. It wasn’t just about who looked hot (though, yes, that too). It was about honoring Black creativity, reclaiming style, and reminding the world that fashion has roots—deep ones. From the Harlem Renaissance to TikTok fit checks, Black dandyism has always been that girl.
🧠 Final Thoughts
This Met wasn’t just for the girlies who know their Schiaparelli from their Simone Rocha. It was for the ones who get that style is language. And this year, Black artists spoke LOUD. It was giving history. It was giving future. It was giving drip with depth.
Wanna see all the looks for the night? Here's Vogue's Live at the Met Gala 👇
Now spill — who was your fave look of the night? Who flopped harder than my WiFi during a Zoom call? Til Next time!
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