The Most Outrageous Met Gala Outfits The Red Carpet Has Ever Seen

Jared Leto may be known best for his award-winning acting, but he's fast getting a reputation for stealing the show on the Met Gala walk of fame, too. And his ode to fashion legend Karl Lagerfeld at the 2023 event was no exception! Leto donned a furry suit that bore an uncanny resemblance to the design veteran's beloved pet cat. If you thought this moment couldn’t get any better, the real Choupette sent her regrets at not being able to attend: the sassy Birman cat posted to her official Instagram account on the morning of Met Gala, “Many people invited me to walk the red carpet of the #METGALA2023 in tribute to Daddy, but we preferred to stay peacefully & cozy at home.” 

Your holiness! At the 2018 event, Rihanna sure lived up to her reputation as Met Gala royalty. And to the delight of her fans, she interpreted the theme, “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination,” in the most literal way. Dressing as a bedazzled pope – and topping it all off with a matching miter hat – RiRi’s almighty makeover wowed. But we expected nothing less from the pop princess, who chaired the night with Amal Clooney.

Celine Dion had only been to the Met Gala once before her 2019 appearance, but that didn’t stop her from razzle-dazzle-ing us. She wore a shimmering Oscar de la Renta bodysuit that comes in at over 22 pounds in weight. Yes, you read that right! The jaw-dropping outfit was also a true labor of love, with 3,000 hours of work put into its creation. We bet those thousands of pieces of fringe took a few days alone. The iconic star completed her showgirl look with a suitably ostentatious feathered headpiece.

With the theme for 2023 being 'Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty,' you might not be entirely sure where rapper Lil Nas X's other-worldly ensemble fits in. Look closer, though, and you'll spy a set of pearl-encrusted whiskers poking out from their extravagant mask, paying homage to Lagerfeld’s famous cat, Choupette. You'd be forgiven for missing that minor detail given that the rest of the musician's outfit consists of body paint and a set of skimpy Dior Men underpants. Why not, right?

Corset? Check. Powdered wig? Check. Big skirt? Check. Supermodel and Met Gala regular Amber Valletta took it back to the 18th century with this Marie Antoinette-inspired outfit. She’s since claimed that this was her “most complicated” Met Gala ensemble – and we can totally see why. In a 2016 interview with Fashionista, Valletta also cited 2004’s eccentric Dangerous Liaisons theme as the one that “really [changed] everything.” That, she said, took the Met Gala from “a niche event within the fashion industry” to the glitzy extravaganza it is today.

Can we say that Katy Perry lit up the 2019 Met Gala? Well, we just did! Topping her previous efforts, the singer became a human chandelier – complete with a jaw-dropping 40-pound headpiece. And, yes, it’s a working model. Moschino creative director Jeremy Scott revealed to Vogue, “There is a built-in corset consisting of 18 steel bones and two hidden battery packs to illuminate the lights. I mean, who wants to wear a chandelier that doesn’t light up?” Who, indeed.

Lupita Nyong’o was bang on theme in a rainbow outfit that any drag queen would give her last wig to wear. And that matching fan? Well, it’s the camp cherry on top. But the Black Panther actress wasn’t going to head out without making another statement. Look closely, and you can see that those five golden afro picks each have black power fists at the ends of their handles.

At the 2015 Met Gala — themed “China: Through the Looking Glass” — Jennifer Lopez wore a close-to-body-tone dress with a red sequin dragon wrapped around her torso. Stunning, elegant, stylish: it was the triple-threat performer at her best. And Lopez’s date for the evening? None other than Donatella Versace.

Perhaps Jaden Smith played it a little safe with his outfit. In a Louis Vuitton black suit paired with heeled boots, the rapper and actor looked every inch the suave gentleman. His choice of accessory, though, was a little more, well, hair-raising. Posing with a fistful of his own trademark dreadlocks, he explained it all by saying, “I couldn't bring my sister as a date, so I brought my hair.” We guess that sort of makes sense?

“Rock Style” was the theme of the 1999 event. So, as descendants of rock ‘n’ roll superstars, Stella McCartney and Liv Tyler had a lot to live up to. But there were no fabulous gowns for them. Oh, no! Instead, the pair showed up in matching one-shouldered T-shirts that made their credentials clear. McCartney had apparently only got the shirts all studded up that morning, too. “I didn’t come at it intentionally to be rebellious at all,” she said to Vogue in 2020. “I didn’t know what people wore [at the Met Gala].”

Monochrome color palette? Check. Oversized cat accessory? Also check. Jaw-dropping three-part outfit reveal? Checkmate! Janelle Monáe aced her look at every stage, from a seemingly clunky floor-length coat to nothing more than a see-through hoop skirt and a glittery bikini. Onlookers may have been left red-faced as the actress and singer began shedding parts of her outfit on the red carpet, but her get-up and unexpected display will certainly go down in Met Gala history. She looked flawless.

Why choose between two outfits when you can wear both? Well, that’s exactly what Michael Urie did in his pink tulle and pinstripe suit ensemble. And it didn’t stop there. For footwear, he picked one Doc Marten boot and one pink heel. Luckily, both shoes were of identical heights. But the Ugly Betty actor still had one last hurdle to overcome. “I had never had a train before, and I had to practice walking up and down stairs and posing,” he said to Page Six after the 2019 event.

Like her Sex and the City alter-ego Carrie Bradshaw, Sarah Jessica Parker is a fashion risk-taker. Proof? Well, at the 2015 Met Gala – themed “China: Through the Looking Glass” – the actress sported a flaming red headpiece with ribbons and tassels galore. It was designed by Philip Treacy, whose work has been seen on the Duchess of Cambridge and Princess Beatrice. Yes, he created that famous hat Beatrice had on at the royal wedding! And in her elegant black dress, train and crowning headgear, SJP certainly looks suitably regal.

Katy Perry is famous for her daring Met Gala outfits, but she took things to new heights with this jaw-dropping look. Her massive angel wings came in at almost six feet across, meaning she couldn’t actually fit through the doors of the museum. Not letting that stop her, Perry simply sneaked in sideways. The gold chainmail dress and matching boots combo almost seems restrained in comparison!

Rihanna’s 2015 Met Gala dress is truly a sight to behold. Those 400,000 pearls alone explain why the whole thing took designer Guo Pei a couple of years to create. And it’s heavy, too – a whopping 48 pounds in weight. No wonder Rihanna claimed she couldn’t “really walk in it without any help.” The pop star followed that up, though, by saying, “It’s so worth it.” We couldn’t agree more.

That glitzy white bodysuit? It was only the tip of the iceberg for Gigi Hadid at the 2019 Met Gala. Standing out from the crowd, she also sported a matching floor-length jacket and chunky boots. Oh, and we mustn’t forget the silver eyelashes that made her peepers pop. The whole fantastic ensemble was the work of Michael Kors, who accompanied Hadid on the night.

All eyes were on Ezra Miller at the 2019 Met Gala. That trippy make-up look that’s melting our minds? It was five hours in the making! But the actor didn’t exactly hold back with the rest of his look, as that pinstripe suit and jeweled corset combination is pretty incredible in itself. About the outfit, Miller said to Time, “I had a lot of bizarre thoughts in my brain.” Yep, we can tell.

This voluminous fuchsia gown is certainly a show-stopper, but it wasn’t Lady Gaga’s only dress of the night at the 2019 Met Gala. In typical Gaga fashion, the pop star used the red carpet as her stage – and switched outfits not once, not twice but thrice. Her first look, which included a 25-foot train, was whipped away to reveal an LBD. But that wasn’t all! After quick-changing into her underwear, Gaga finished by showing off in a pink column gown and oversized sunglasses. Fabulous!

What better way to pay homage to a design superstar than by turning up to one of the most prestigious events in every fashionista's diary wearing a 30-foot cape emblazoned with their face? The Balmain creation boasted 5,000 meters of silk chiffon and gave Met Gala staff a tall task when actor Jeremy Pope hit the red carpet. Nobody wants a scrunched-up giant likeness of the man the event is themed around now, do they? 

On her way to the 2015 Met Gala, Solange Knowles tweeted, “Have fun. Take risks.” Well, her bold look at the event certainly did that. Her futuristic Giles Deacon dress was structured into a 3D creation that almost seemed to engulf the singer whole. And that holographic print? It didn’t scream “China: Through the Looking Glass” – the theme of the event – but it certainly looked otherworldly.

When all else fails, why not go to the Met as a massive kilt? It’s what Julie Macklowe did, anyway, for the 2017 event. Her outfit even came complete with a traditional Scottish sporran – that’s the pouch on the front. But such an outrageous statement came at a cost. On the night, the socialite said to The Daily Front Row, “I just hope someone who sits next to me will feed me.”

The 2011 Met Gala was a celebration of Alexander McQueen – a beloved friend of Daphne Guinness. The socialite had to rise to the occasion, then, and she definitely did that in a multi-dimensional feathered dress from the late McQueen’s label. Guinness completed the look with gravity-defying Mary Jane heels and by putting her signature blonde and black hair in an elegant up-do. But the most outrageous part? Guinness got ready for the night in the window of the iconic – and much-missed – Barneys Madison Avenue.

At the 2018 event, one Oscar winner made a fashion statement so huge that it nearly obscured her identity altogether. In case you couldn’t tell, it’s Frances McDormand under all that teal! The actress changed up her usual workaday style with a huge floral headpiece, a voluminous cape and a yellow Valentino dress. It seemed like she had fun, too, as Vogue later posted an Instagram video of the star dancing among the museum’s artwork.

Iman could be the model Met Gala guest in this outrageous, feather-trimmed metallic coat. And that sparkling tiara? She just knows she’s fashion royalty! The outerwear was straight from Versace, which was fitting, as the 1997 Met Gala was a tribute to the iconic house’s founder Gianni.

That’s Cardi B in there, among the 30,000 feathers! The rapper dressed literally head to toe in a deep-red Thom Browne gown that expanded into a 10-foot train. Unsurprising, really, that it took 35 people a grand total of 2,000 hours to make. As well as feathers, the dress includes 44 carats of rubies fashioned into nipple covers. Cardi B’s extravagant dress required the help of no less than 10 people to escort her along the red carpet.

Code red: outrageous outfit alert! As co-chair of the 2017 event, Katy Perry didn’t hold back. No, she exploded onto the steps of the Met in layers and layers of scarlet tulle and matching boots. In a neat self-promotional touch, Perry also had the word “witness” scrawled across her veil. That was the name of her fourth album, released mere weeks after her Met Gala appearance.

Janelle Monae may have breathed a sigh of relief when she learned about the 2019 event’s theme. “I am camp. It’s embedded in my DNA,” she explained not long before the night began. Her, well, eye-catching ensemble was apparently a nod to Picasso, and the star certainly looked suitably surreal. That peeper on the bodice? It actually blinked, too!

Beautiful beading. Eye-catching cut-outs. And fabulous ostrich feathers. Ciara’s outfit for the 2019 Met Gala was the perfect balance of sexy and playful. Unsurprisingly, it wasn’t the dress that caught people’s attention. Just look at the volume in the star’s afro. It’ll go down in history as one of the best hair moments in history.

Remember that daring green dress JLo wore to the 2000 Grammy Awards? Donatella did it first! Versace was the designer, though, so we don’t blame her for wanting to take the iconic outfit out for a whirl. Open to the navel and with a higher than thigh-high split, the tropical gown now has its place in fashion history.

When Marc Jacobs hit the Met Gala red carpet in 2012, he was remarkably modest about what he was wearing. “It’s just a lace dress,” he shrugged. Well, yes, but paired with those sparkling white boxer shorts underneath, the Commes des Garçons ensemble is pretty daring. The designer added, “I just didn’t wanna wear a tuxedo and be boring.” Mission accomplished, we say.

Kim Kardashian wasn’t exactly going to wear sweatpants to the Met Gala, was she? But her look at the 2019 event went above and beyond what we expect from the reality star. She even enlisted the long-retired Thierry Mugler to make her show-stopping wet-look gown. “He is the king of camp. He invented camp,” Kardashian explained before she stepped onto the red carpet. Some may disagree with that statement, but there’s no denying that the former Mrs. West looks flawless.

Madonna isn’t exactly one to shy away from controversy, and she raised eyebrows yet again in this bondage-inspired Givenchy ensemble. But when critics accused the outfit of being too revealing, that only fed into the Queen of Pop’s hands. Hitting back on Instagram, she claimed that her dress was actually a “political statement.” And the backlash? Well, that was just “proof that we still live in an ageist and sexist society.” Well said, Madge!

If only we could turn back time to see this outfit in the flesh! At the 1985 Met Gala, Cher wowed in an outrageously sheer dress – another Bob Mackie creation. This one was more demure than her 1974 pick, though, thanks to its deep black lower half. We never thought we’d put the words “Cher” and “demure” together...

Beyoncé’s 2015 outfit is surely one of the Met Gala’s most memorable – even though it’s barely there! Or perhaps because it’s barely there? In any case, the Givenchy creation – complete with tactically placed glittering jewels – was a perfect fit for Queen B. She may have been the final celeb to make it onto the red carpet that evening, but she was definitely worth sticking around for.

Diana Ross took fashion to new heights with this fabulous fascinator. The shimmery black tulle headpiece was fantastically over the top. Well, what else would you expect from a world-renowned diva? We’d be disappointed if she’d come out in anything less!

Hillary Clinton? At the Met Gala? Well, yes! Back in 2001, she was a New York senator, and so it sort of made sense that she turned up to the city’s biggest fashion event of the year. Clinton even showed her wild side in this leopard-print gown and golden shawl. We think she’s due a repeat appearance now that she’s effectively retired from politics.

Cara Delevingne, candy queen! The model nailed the 2019 theme “Camp: Notes on Fashion” in a partly sheer, rainbow-striped Dior playsuit and matching cane. That wacky headpiece? It included wind-up teeth, popping eyeballs and a fried egg. Delevingne has said that she interpreted the concept of camp as being “an expression of your most outrageous.” In that case, she definitely hit the brief.

Naomi Campbell turned up to 2001’s Met Gala in a bedazzled T-shirt shouting “Like a Virgin.” The theme of the event? “Jacqueline Kennedy: The White House Years.” We only wish we’d seen Jackie O in this ensemble, which channeled 80s Madonna with its lace and eye-catching crucifix.

For her first Met Gala, Cardi B – or should we say Cardinal B? – pulled out all the stops in a bejeweled Moschino gown that was just the right amount of outrageous. That baby bump even gave it the “aww” factor, too! No surprises that the rapper was invited back the following year.

Karolina Kurkova is a woman after our own hearts in this stunning one-shouldered Victor and Rolf dress. And if you squint, you may just see that the supermodel’s elegant gown was emblazoned with the message “I love you.” We have a feeling she wasn’t talking about the paps at the event but Chanel – the famous fashion house being honored that night.

Florence, are you in there? The “You’ve Got the Love” singer flew the flag for Britain in a romantic Alexander McQueen dress that’s practically as huge as her voice. She finished the outfit with matching shoes that look relatively simple in comparison. Well, anything would, really!

Lady Gaga’s outrageous style may have peaked with that VMAs meat dress, but she still pulls out a true jaw-dropper or two on occasion. Take her 2015 Met Gala look, for instance. That voluminous kimono coatdress? Definitely not something you see every day. And the diminutive star didn’t forget her signature platform heels, which peeked out through the slit in her outfit.

This navy slip dress may be tame for, say, Cher, but on Princess Diana it was positively rebellious. Her lingerie-inspired look certainly turned heads at the 1996 Met Gala. But did you know that Diana nearly chickened out of wearing this outfit? According to royal biographer Katie Nicholl, the princess was wary of upsetting a then-14-year-old Prince William. Flashing this amount of flesh was pretty risqué for her, after all.

For the 2019 Met Gala, Jared Leto brought the weirdest accessory to end all weird accessories: a replica of his own head. Mind you, the rest of his outfit was hardly less ostentatious. The actor and musician wore a red turtleneck gown draped with diamonds and designed by Gucci. A twinning look!

You need to see will.i.am’s accessory for the 2016 Met Gala! The Black Eyed Peas star was a vision in a black, flower-decorated Gucci suit. And in an effort to embrace the theme, “Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology,” he paired the classy ensemble with a visor that covered his whole face. We just hope he survived the night uninjured.

As the wife of co-chair Pharrell, Helen Lasichanh had to make an impression at the 2017 Met Gala. Well, she certainly did that in her voluminous Comme des Garçons creation! It’s a pretty genius pick, too, as it covered up any lumps and bumps Lasichanh may still have had after welcoming triplets that January.