31 Celebs Who Tried Too Hard To Dress For The Met Gala And Failed In Spectacular Fashion

Emma Corrin brought their signature quirky-cool aesthetic to the 2022 Met Gala, channeling "King of the Dudes" Evander Berry Wall—a 19th-century New York socialite known for his flamboyant style. The standout piece? A dramatically tall, modernized bowler hat, paired with an oversized Miu Miu jacket and sleek patent booties for a striking silhouette. True to form, Corrin balanced avant-garde whimsy with sharp tailoring, proving why they’re a red-carpet standout.

Solange Knowles embraced the unconventional theme of the 2017 Met Gala, which honored Rei Kawakubo, with a Thom Browne ensemble. The unique outfit combined elements of a sleeping bag and a puffer jacket, accompanied by a long quilted train and ice skate-inspired shoes.

Marc Jacobs opted for an unconventional look at the 2012 Met Gala, pairing a Comme des Garçons black lace tunic with white boxers. Defying the typical black-tie expectation, he explained, "I didn't want to wear a tuxedo and be boring," adding that the bold choice felt fitting for a night celebrating Prada's avant-garde spirit.

Cara Delevingne turned the 2022 Met Gala into a high-fashion striptease, arriving in a sleek red Dior Haute Couture suit—only to dramatically remove the blazer mid-carpet, revealing her bare torso adorned solely with gold body paint, pasties, and delicate butterfly-themed jewelry. The bold reveal, a nod to the "Gilded Glamour" theme, was both a sartorial spectacle and a statement on bodily autonomy. Delevingne later explained the look symbolized "the metamorphosis of a butterfly" and celebrated freedom of expression.

Helen Lasichanh's 2017 Met Gala ensemble, a Comme des Garçons creation, drew a lot of attention for its distinctive design. Pharrell Williams, accompanying her in ripped Comme des Garçons jeans, also garnered attention for his fashion choice but ultimately stuck to the theme.

Kim Kardashian initially hesitated about her 2021 Met Gala outfit, a Balenciaga design, but ultimately chose to embrace the theme. She went on to explain to Vogue that "[Balenciaga's creative director Demna Gvasalia] and the team were like, 'This is a costume gala. This is not a Vanity Fair party where everyone looks beautiful. There's a theme and you have to wear the mask. That is the look.'"

Evan Mock, the Gossip Girl reboot star, made a rebellious first impression at the 2021 Met Gala in a deconstructed Thom Browne ensemble that blended prep-school polish with punk irreverence. The look featured a spiked mask, a dress jacket studded with safety pins, and long shorts—all paired with intentionally mismatched socks and chunky silver jewelry. The outfit, though meticulously designed, exuded a deliberately disheveled energy, mirroring the event's "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" theme through a Gen-Z lens.

Jaden Smith turned heads at the 2017 Met Gala with a move that was as bold as it was bizarre: carrying his own shaved-off dreadlocks in his hand. The actor, who had recently cut his hair for a film role, explained the accessory with his signature philosophical flair: "Since I couldn't bring my sister as a date, I brought my old hair." The black Louis Vuitton suit was understated, but the prop—his own hair—made it unforgettable.

Doja Cat turned heads at the 2024 Met Gala with a minimalist yet provocative look: a sheer, wet, white T-shirt dress that clung to her body, creating a striking, almost liquid-like effect. The daring ensemble was a collaboration with Vetements' Guram Gvasalia, played with the theme of "Sleeping Beauties" in an unexpected way—swapping the usual opulence for raw, deconstructed glamour.

Nicki Minaj turned heads at the 2022 Met Gala with a bold, unexpected twist on the baseball cap—elevating it to high fashion. The rapper’s custom Burberry look, designed by Ricardo Tisci, featured a structured leather cap with an exaggerated crown, paired with a statement belt, leather leggings, and layers of tulle and leather. The ensemble was finished with a constellation of body jewelry, adding a touch of celestial glamour.