The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly – Met Gala 2021 Outfit Review

Let’s just start off with saying how horrific this is. J.W. Anderson has done it again, and by that I mean making clothing that literally no one wants to wear. What even is it supposed to represent? A map of America? I’m sorry to tell you this, but you can clearly make out the marked town of Adelaide on his trousers, which I’m sorry to inform you is in Australia. It’s not even a map of America. Do the sleeves represent hurricanes? Because that’s the vibe I’m getting. In fact, I’m getting the vibe that a hurricane invaded the studio, and actually designed this outfit itself. El Niño has decided to take on the fashion industry, but I’m telling you, you’re not going to get very far on the back of this look, that’s for sure. In fact, Dan Levy looks just as confused as I am. Happy Met Gala.

Wow, what a little dream she is! I got a little worried when a couple of days before she showed up to the VMA’s in some black baggy shirt and shorts, but she’s returned as our Hollywood Glamour Queen! Honestly have no critics for this one, apart from the fact that her makeup is a little dark and heavy – but I’ll forgive her to due the voluminousness of her Oscar de la Renta pink bouffant.

Normally I’m used to seeing her with much less fabric on, and we love it. However, this Zac Posen number misses the mark a little. Love the silhouette on her, and the colour, but that’s about it. What are those little tulle frilly bits at the end of her train? Is she supposed to be a duster, picking up all the dust bunnies on the way through the Met Museum? Did Zac Posen purposefully make her into a Roomba?!

Literally everything that Zoe Kravitz does, I stan. She is the ultimate cool girl, and I don’t want to hear anything like, “But what about K. Stew?” No, wait until you see what Chanel dressed her in this time – and to the Met Gala no less. But I digress, and Zoe Kravitz is glowing from within like a holistic leader of a cult. Which I am a part of. Saint Laurent dressed a lot of people this Met, and Zoe had the best outfit, hands down. If you can walk around in diamanté underwear with a “dress” over the top – why wouldn’t you? 10/10

This is so close to being good, but I’m not sure it passed the bar. The overall look is great, and from the collarbones up she is one of the best dressed, but sadly, that’s not really what “best-dressed” is about. To be “best-dressed”, you have to actually have a good dress. Which she didn’t. From afar, if you squint your eyes really small, the dress looks great! But then you open them and realise it’s actually just a super average prom dress that you could find in a mall in Minnesota. Bit harsh? Maybe. Love the train, everyone should have a train at all times (except for Paloma Elsesser who Zac Posen betrayed). For some reason this Met, everyone decided to wear baggy dress gloves. Why? Just wear fitted gloves like the American princess Jackie O and call it a day.

Supermodels are hard to judge, because their job is literally to make clothes look good on them. Wonder why Kendall Jenner is known as a style icon? It’s not because crop tops and jeans are breaking style boundaries, it’s because she’s skinny, and could wear a paper bag and have it look good on her. With this all said, Kaia Gerber actually looks very elegant here for her first Met Gala. Emulating Bianca Jagger in 1981, Kaia’s large black skirt is softened by the peak-a-boo floral bust, to give you the peak of skin needed to take this from nun-ny to moneyyy. Also adore the 1940’s hair-do (I tried this once for a party and ended up looking more like a 1800’s governess than a 1930’s dream, so I appreciate the inspo).

Tracee, Tracee. Always pushing the boundaries, being eclectic and what-not. She’ll always have a soft spot in my heart as a graduate of my old school, but I just wish she’d pushed the bar a little further. Hair is fantastic and exciting and graphic, but even though it’s Balenciaga couture, I can see her walking down the street with this on with some great boots. I feel like we could have done a little more. Fabulous, but not quite enough for the event that is supposed to be the biggest fashion event of the year.

I actually have no idea who this woman is, but apparently she’s an activist with over 300k followers on Instagram. On one hand, I kind of like her outfit because it’s different and exciting, but at the same time, I am incredibly offended that she decided to wear trackpants and (swallow bile) running shoes on the red carpet on the Met steps. Blair Waldorf would hang her out to dry, and she would never recover. Can you imagine? Running shoes on the red carpet?? Worse, it’s made by Adidas by Stella McCartney. Not Stella McCartney, Adidas by Stella McCartney. Not even Naomi Osaka or Serena Williams are wearing sports clothes – and they’re the ones that could relevantly wear them! But anyway, I can’t tell if I like it or not, and people get offended by just about anything these days. We live and we learn.

Oh Debbie. Debbie, Debbie, Debbie. What are we going to do with you. For one woman who is essentially Americana herself, and Zac Posen dressed her in literal rags?! Forget the rags for a moment – look at that denim blazer top she’s got on. The shoulder pads are made from jean trousers. You can’t see me, but I’m literally crying. I can’t believe Zac Posen would do her so dirty. This whole look is criminal, and should be burned immediately. But remember to take Debbie Harry out of it before you throw it into Mount Etna – she’s a national treasure. I think I’m going to name my next dog after her.

Look, even though it’s Moschino – which most of the time is ugly, and Jeffrey Campbell should’ve been cancelled a long time ago – it’s actually not that bad. Favouring the see-through look that celebrities have come to covet, added with some appliquéd flowers… Not quite sure where the American dream comes into it, but sure Irina, you look nice. Is that what you wanted to hear?

First of all, I’d just like to say that Serena Williams is the GOAT, and she gets way more flack than she should simply by taking up her space. But. Unfortunately, she should be getting flack, for this abominable look. Who does she think she is? Big bird? Big bird mixed with Captain America? Big bird mixed with Captain America mixed with Elton John? I just don’t know. I’m sorry hun, big fan of your tennis looks, not so much this outfit. Better luck next time.

First of all, I’d just like to point out how badass it is to bring a real-life sword to a fashion party. Especially if you’re dressing up inspired by Dune, the book I wrote about last week in my Autumn Reads. Designed by Iris Van Herpen (of course, who else?), Grimes is serving galactic overlord looks to the maximum. You just know that she’d totally become the ruler of some far off planet where swords and female armour would become common place, and honestly, I kind of like the sound of that community. Just without Elon Musk, because he’s a little nuts. We’ll take the money for wardrobe and community admin purposes though!
Also, the icing on the cake, she’s wearing my favourite boots in the whole wide world, Marc Jacobs Kiki boots. I was desperate to buy these when they were in shops several years ago, but alas, I was too poor. Now, I haven’t risen in financial gain, but I still think about those boots. So not much has changed.

Naomi… what happened to you? Did Pippi Longstockings collab with Nicolas Ghesquière to create this distasteful look just to spite you? I’ve never known Pippi Longstockings to be spiteful, but I have known Nicolas to create some terrible red carpet looks. I’m sorry you got caught in the crossfire. I mean, if you took away the Pippi Longstockings hair, left the top-knot, took away the black frills, changed the silhouette of the dress (surprisingly, you can actually keep the print), and changed out the boots for some snazzy heels, it would actually be a nice outfit! Oh wait, that’s basically everything. Yeah, sorry babes, that outfit needs to go. I mean, at least you beat Serena?

Kind of loving this Barbie belly-dancing look, in the same way I love Paris Hilton wearing Juicy Couture tracksuits. Is it likeable? Sure! Is it fashion? Not really. You have to give Lourdes props though for absolutely not giving one single shit. I mean, she got it from her mama. Also, that armpit hair is like the perfect red carpet accessory. You do you, Lourdes. It’s your world, we’re just living in it.

Look, it’s quite similar to Kylie Jenner’s 2017 Balmain look. But I’ll give it to you because you just look so good. Congrats Barbie.

Ugh, I just can’t get over this woman. Everything she touches turns to gold. I love this look, created by Bode, and I especially love the way she’s holding her handbag like a pagan goddess statue. She really is the goddess of summer, just spreading Solar Power everywhere. 11/10

Kind of expected a little more from someone who’s supposed to be the new Serena van der Woodsen, and by more I mean something a little more exciting. Yes, it’s big, but is it better? No, ma’am. xoxo

Troye is living his best life in Rick Owens, looking actually like young Rick Owens, just with a prettier face. I think he owns this look, and it’s nice to have a change for men other than a nice suit.

The only person who was well-dressed by Chanel this year is Lily Rose Depp. Every person with a Chanel contract is absolutely terrified of going to a red-carpet event, because the Chanel looks are just that horrific. Luckily, Lily Rose looks like a 90’s queen with that low waisted A-line skirt in pink sequins. Well done Lily, you drew the long straw this time.

Not actually that interesting from the front, it’s at the back where you realise the beauty of this Prada number. The corseted white column dress is gaping wide at the high back, and worn with black beaded tights, it creates a more interesting look than at first glance. Paired with the red Jessica Rabbit hair, I’m actually sold.

Absolutely devastated that Megan wore the most amazing sheer and sparkly number from Mugler’s most recent collection at the VMA’s, and chose to wear this mediocre red, strappy thing at the Met. Also, rocking the Lord Farquaad hair-do. Not a fan.

Gemma Chan didn’t have the most interesting dress at the Met, but it was beautiful, and that’s what counts. I love how she brought her Chinese heritage into it, with the beautiful sequinned dragon on the front. I also am a huge fan of pistachio, so very happy with that train. Nice going, babe.

Wearing “Tax The Rich” emblazoned on a mediocre dress at a gala full of rich people that (hopefully) pay their taxes seems a little gauche to me. However, unlike previously reported, AOC did not pay for her $30,000 ticket, and was invited as are other NYC government officials. Apart from the bad dress, I actually really like the message, however gauche it looks, because we totally should tax the rich. Jeff Bezos should never become a qualified astronaut, and I think NASA agrees with me. Also, pretty ballsy to show up with that message. Respect. Megan Fox looks a little confused in the background…

Sometimes I really worry about Maisie Williams, I’m never quite sure where her head is. The makeup reminds me of Lily Collins when she dressed up as the Queen of Hearts for the Met a couple of years ago. As for the dress, I’m a little confused, and it’s a little lack-lustre. I’m not really feeling any emotion behind it, and she kind of looks like she doesn’t want to be there. I would gladly take her place, if she ever gets bored of fashion parties like the Met (ugh, gross, the Met gala).

Harris Reid created this over-the-top number, and she looks like the Sun King. I love it, and think she is by far one of the best dressed. The Met is about going above and beyond, having fun with what you’re wearing, wearing clothes that you could literally never wear anywhere else. Love it, go Iman!

As we know, celebs love to go for a sparkly number, and Julia Garner is no exception. However, I especially love the cut-out bodysuit underneath, that adds a little movement and interest to what otherwise would be a pretty standard dress.

I love this dress so much, because I’m such a sucker for stars. Anything with a star on it, I’ll take it. But the reason why I extreme love this dress, is the fact that they have designed it so that one star can frame her bellybutton perfectly. Um, why wouldn’t you want to have a star around your belly button? Maybe I should get it tattooed. Not really the same glamour as a diamond dress however, but I’ll take what I can get.

I guess they were going for Prom King and Queen? Which is very Americana, you can’t fault them for that. What I can fault them for, is their lacklustre outfits. Also Nicola’s gloves are driving me nuts – it’s not Siberian winter, you shouldn’t be wearing baggy leather gloves. You should be wearing silk opera gloves like Jackie O. At least she tried, and I quite like the beading on her dress. The saving grace was the shoes. Nicola is wearing those fuchsia pink Versace platform Mary-Janes that everyone is raving about, and Brooklyn is wearing platform boots. Brooklyn saved this outfit, and Nicola should be grateful.

Some background context – Balenciaga had gimp masks as a feature in their latest runway show, which Demna is apparently a big fan of. So now, he’s making everyone wear a gimp mask around the place. Which is not okay, I mean did no one ever tell you to keep your kinks private? We don’t want to see this! You think Kim Kardashian became famous by wearing a glorified morph suit? No, thank you. I hate it. I’m offended. She’s gotta be back with Kanye, because otherwise I have no idea why Kim K would wear something so mental.

Sienna Miller is just a background hero of the Met. She always looks fabulous. She’s never too wild, but she is always consistently one of the best dressed. However, my favourite look of hers of all time was that yellow and chartreuse Gucci silk number from the 2020 Golden Globes. Wow, what a look. Anyway, this one is pretty good too, and if I also had to go the Met gala and she wasn’t wearing this, I would totally buy it. Sold.

We’re not going to mention Justin Bieber because he’s wearing a suit, big whoop, looks great. Hailey on the other hand, is wearing a bomb dress by Saint Laurent, but the icing on the cake is those frickin Ray Bans. Love, love, love it. What normal person wears sunglasses on a red carpet? When Diddy does it, it’s not that cool, but when someone unexpected does it? Amazing. Ground-breaking. Never been done before. So cool, would emulate.

Kendall Jenner looks great. And she knows this, because she wears a variation of this dress basically every year. Just in slightly different colours. I think she’s trying to be the star-spangled banner? Otherwise, not quite sure where the American reference is. Love the hem, though.

Tessa Thompson can run me over with an 18-wheeler and I would probably say thank you. Iris van Herpen, cowboy boots, and a cowboy hat? Just kill me now, and I’ll die happy. Highly recommend.

Surprisingly, Teyana Taylor is looking bomb, and I’m loving her outfit (what little of it there is). But I mean, with a bod like that, why wouldn’t you want to wear a little Zelda outfit to the Met? Show it off, baby! Loving the extra-long train, and when she gets cold it could totally double up as a cape to ward off the September chill.

I know Lupita was going for the denim look. I know it’s American. But babe. Please. You normally look so drop-dead! What happened? All the denim looks this year are terrible, and you cannot change my mind. This dress wouldn’t even be pretty in the 90’s.

I can’t actually work out if I love this dress or not. It’s classic J. Lo with the leg slit and the boob visuals (yes, your body is amazing, I do not need reminding Jennifer), and it’s also very Ralph Lauren, which is (surprise) the person who designed it. Unsure about the unidentified pelt she’s got round her shoulders, although it does add a little bit of mystery to an otherwise predictable outfit. Extra marks for the cowboy hat. In fact, I’m not sure why this party wasn’t cowboy themed. People would have been a lot better dressed.

Here we go. Chanel strikes again. Imagine winning the Grand Slam at the tender age of 18, and then being absolutely humiliated by being forced to wear this horrific outfit by Chanel all of people. I’m really sorry Emma, I know the Chanel discount is good, but it really isn’t worth all these bad red carpet looks. Maybe try changing sponsorship to Dior or something.

Timothée will forever be my one true love. I just want to shrink him down, put him in my pocket, and look after him forever. This Haider Ackermann look is very him, as he likes a contemporary red-carpet look, but the star of the show is really that he’s wearing CHUCKS to the Met. CHUCKS. Love it. Like Hailey wearing sunglasses, it’s just the ultimate version of cool. Anybody else wearing sneakers on the red carpet – go home. But Timmy T? Best dressed.

I can’t believe that Thom Browne would cover up the hottest head at this very moment with a GIMP MASK. Not again. What is this obsession? Keep your kinks at home. Are young impressionables going to be wearing gimp masks to birthday parties now? So terrible. Sorry Evan, I love you any day, but today is not that day.

Ciara is the only person who referenced American Football this year, which is weird because I feel like the idea was right there. Perhaps referencing that Tom Ford dress, but wearing the jersey number of her husband, which is really cute.

Considering Olivia is kind of the girl of the moment, I thought she would be wearing something a little more daring, but this Saint Laurent look works too. It’s cute, but I’m pretty sure you can also buy it off the rack (gasp). Nice, cute, nothing special. Still cute, though!

What a fashion icon. It’s creepy, and it’s cool, and it’s creepy, and she looks fantastic. No critiques.

First of all, what the fuck. And second of all… what the fuck. Why do people like bringing creepy humanoid creatures to the Met? First Jared Leto with the Gucci head, and now Frank Ocean with a Shrek baby? Why? Also, why is he dressed like he’s going to the cinema? Don’t you know you’re at the fashion event of the year? Go home.

Pete Davidson is so wild, I never know what to expect from him. I just didn’t expect this. Yes, it’s different, but is it good different? No, it’s not. And I think it’s Thom Browne, who I don’t trust after covering up Evan Mock’s beautiful pink head.

As I said earlier, I’m a sucker for stars, so when Emily Blunt rocked up with this star-spangled Miu Miu look, I was suckered. Also, she’s wearing a 3D star headband, which is an automatic win for me.

What is with the sexual nature of this Met? Is America really that kinky? Actually, probably. We should totally peg the patriarchy, but I also feel really sorry for the mothers and fathers of fashion-obsessed youths who have to explain to their kids what pegging is. I mean, it’s a good outfit, but is it Met gala worthy? Jury’s out on that one.

What did I tell you about Chanel! She actually got the best look of the Venice film festival out of all the Chanel ambassadors, so I guess it’s only fair that now she gets the worst. She looks like the ghost of Joan Collins. Absolutely not.

Absolutely loving these Darth Vader vibes – yes there is a dress underneath, but I like to imagine she was sitting at the dining table like that, unable to use her knife or fork. Not joking, I actually really love this look.

Always a vision, and one that looks like an early 20’s vision rather than a mid 30’s vision (pray we all end up with skin as good as hers). Love the plissé-d gold, have no complaints other than it’s not very adventurous. But we can’t have it all, can we?

Finally! A young designer! This is a dress by a young graduate from CSM named Connor Ives, and this was the finale of his final graduate collection. Hours and hours went into perfecting the balloon silhouette, inspired by American old-timey debutantes, and hours and hours of hand-stitching all those flower-shaped sequins! I don’t know who Natalia Bryant is, but I love that she went with a new-gen designer, and gave him the ultimate honour by wearing his beloved dress at the fashion event of the year.

I’m a huge fan of the appliqué-d camo tulle. I think Dior did it first, but as I mentioned earlier, I’m a big fan of feathers as well, and although the silhouette and the shape of the sleeves could be better, I’ll give good marks for the fabrics used and the variety of textures.

Another Saint Laurent look, this is one of my favourites due to the blue feather details. Also love the see-through mesh, similar to Zoe Kravitz and Olivia Rodrigo’s look.

Unsure if she’s trying to be a founding father, but this is not the way to do it. Love her dread-doo-rag hairdo however, but the rest of the outfit is a solid miss, and with all due respect I hope we never see it again, never in our lives.

Sunisa Lee won a gold medal at the Olympics, so she’s decided to wear gold to celebrate that achievement. Amazing. She deserves it too! Why she’s on The Bad List, is because of this weird fit she’s got going. What’s this big square piece at the front? Is it a pocket? Is she hiding a packet of Cheetos in there? Maybe a decent bottle of wine? If there are no Cheetos in there, that means it’s not a pocket, and it shouldn’t be there. I said what I said.

After literally making history with her Guo Pei yellow egg dress and the floral Comme des Garçons dream, why a voluminous black cloud with a beanie would be the next look you would go for, I have no idea. I love the diamanté headpiece, and would’ve loved it more without the beanie addition, but then again, it’s Rihanna, and Rihanna does whatever the hell she wants. Who am I to judge her? But it’s a definite no from me.

With 3 Versace red-carpet unveilings, you could never call Lil’ Nas X demure. Especially after that music video where he gave literal Satan a lap dance. Just fantastic really. Were his outfits (first a regal cape, then a gold suit of armour, and then a gold beaded bodysuit) anything special? Not really. But you could tell he was really feeling himself, and sometimes that just makes the whole outfit. Which is why I’m judging his outfit as good. It’s all about confidence, baby.

Not going to mention Camila, because that purple abomination needs to be wiped from the collective memory as soon as humanly possible. Shawn Mendes on the other hand, is one of the best dressed, and personally, he can get it. What a babe. Shirtless, wearing a cowboy-inspired fit that wouldn’t be out of place in Nicolas Spark’s ‘The Longest Ride’. He can get it.

Um… I just have questions. Was he all cosiest up, ready to Netflix and chill with Riri when he realised he actually has to go to the Met gala? Oh, yeah. That ol’ thing. But I love the smile on his face. Looks like me, giggling at my dad while I walk to the fridge for midnight snacks at 3AM. Me, giggling while coming back from the bar wearing my scarf like a cape, at 3AM. Me, 7 years old, after raiding my mums closet and wearing her coveted Louis Vuitton dress with high heels 9 sizes too big for me, at 6AM. A$AP Rocky, giggling while he walks up the Met steps wearing an outfit not even he understands or likes, at 7PM.

Wow, Prada RTW but covered in diamantes like the handbag they did. Is it nice? Sure. Will I remember it tomorrow? Not likely.

Ben Platt got the memo. He also got the Male Met Gala Memo, which states that all male attendees must wear platforms, or they’ll be banned from ever returning. The Versace platforms (Nicola Peltz will be fuming – Ben’s outdressed her, and in denim too!), the jacket draped off the shoulders… Bravo, Ben.

Honestly, without eyebrows, she looks like Taraji P. Henderson. She has the same facial structure. I legitimately thought it was her, as a ghost. That aside, I really love her dress. Delicate, interesting to look at, avant-garde… Is it American? Not what I can see, but I like it anyway.

This year the red carpet seemed awash with young social stars. Addison Rae made an appearance for her first (and maybe last) Met gala in a vintage Gucci by Tom Ford dress. Gucci by Tom Ford is definitely coveted, but I’m not sure this dress was the way to go. It doesn’t fit her very well, and makes her figure look a little boxy. Diamonds looking great, though.

This was so close to being good, but then I realised that actually the only thing I liked out of this outfit was the fluffy hat. If only she’d worn a shift dress that was actually her size, gloves that weren’t baggy (these are dress gloves, not day-to-day gloves – they shouldn’t be baggy), and worn literally any other pair of shoes. The idea was there, but unfortunately it just didn’t come to fruition. I hope she got sat next to AOC, I wonder what they would talk about…

This is low-key one of my favourite looks from the night. I especially love the mis-matched straps – it just adds a little bit of oomph and makes it a little more interesting. Great colour, great shape, and great shoes. And the gloves fit.

Prada really didn’t impress me with this look. The feather skirt? Fabulous. The bodice? Not so much. If only the whole thing was in pink satin, and it didn’t have that pleated front, it could’ve been a great look. Also love that she wore shorts underneath so she could shed her wings and dance the night away. Just to reiterate – the feather skirt is the best thing about this look. Sorry Storm.

I love a bit of fluoro, especially when it’s yellow matched with fuchsia and it’s all exciting shapes, and modelled on a 45-year-old super model. Highly recommend, would wear this look all the time.

You know it’s a bad sign when a designer is dressed terribly. What happened to Vera Wang? She just got so caught up in designing her wedding dresses and crockery line that she forgot how to make real people clothes? The Met gala isn’t even real people clothes! She could’ve made a wedding dress in some fun colours! I worry about her. Top looks like she’s emulating Natalie Portman in “Closer”, the middle looks like she’s going to fight Jake Paul in a televised boxing match, and the bottom looks like she’s actually going to model in the revived Victoria’s Secret show. What does it mean? I don’t know.

This is one of my favourite looks of the night, and can you believe it, it’s by Nicolas Ghesquière. The make-up, the shoes, the cut of the dress… It’s just… *chef kiss* 10/10

A beautiful, mirrored gold dress, it looks like a pond in the garden of Eden. And Vittoria looks like Eve, except wearing the pond as a dress. Okay, look, I’ve doled out a lot of criticism. Over 5000 words worth, so you can’t blame me for making bad metaphors. I’m tired. Anyway, looks beautiful, yadda yadda yadda…

All I have to say is… it’s a neigh from me. If it was Adam Driver in a Burberry fragrance ad, maybe I’d go for it. But neigh, I shan’t.