Every year when the Met Gala rolls around, official and unofficial audiences closely watch how attendees interpret the annual theme. Even so, many male attendees try to fit in by wearing high-fashion tuxedos on fashion’s biggest night. Not only that, but many even eschew the theme of the event altogether, while female attendees make no secret of it. Every year when browsing the best-dressed lists, there are complaints about the lack of innovation in menswear. But not all have failed to live up to expectations over the years, and the best men’s looks at the Met Gala are worth remembering.
For decades, stylish, innovative men like Colman Domingo, A$AP Rocky, and Bad Bunny have danced on the famous steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in stunning looks. These stylish celebrities have shown androgynous style on the red carpet, either showing off skin or wearing second-hand pieces. The best outfits have abandoned classic elements in favor of more avant-garde styles.
How male attendees will interpret the 2025 men’s fashion week theme, rooted in the evolution of black dandyism, remains to be seen. But one thing is for sure: With more attention paid to menswear than ever before, there will be more opportunities for menswear looks that truly push boundaries, whether it’s incorporating obscure historical references or playing with age-old tailoring techniques.
Read on to see some of the best moments at the Met Gala when men went beyond the standard tuxedo, like A$AP Rocky’s Gucci suit or Bad Bunny’s floral dress.
André Leon Talley left his fashion mark wherever he went, and his Met Gala appearance was no exception. The late fashion editor wore his iconic royal cape coat to the 1999 Met Gala alongside Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour. The coat, black with gold brocade, is one of his most standout creations.
Alexander McQueen didn’t look out of place when she accompanied Sarah Jessica Parker to an event in 2006. The late designer chose a lot of plaid to complement Parker’s look, paying homage to his Scottish heritage.
Tom Ford’s eponymous label perfectly captured this year’s theme of “Charles James: Beyond Fashion.” The designer’s pea coat and silk waistcoat, as well as his white gloves, were exquisite.
Zayn Malik made a stunning appearance at his Met Gala debut. The otherwise plain tuxedo was made more eye-catching by the silver metallic sleeves by Versace (which resembled robotic arms). The look was a perfect match for the tech-inspired look of then-girlfriend Gigi Hadid.
The late Chadwick Boseman perfectly epitomized the 2018 theme of “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination.” His custom Atelier Versace look, all white with striking gold accents, matched his gold dress shoes.
Billy Porter’s 2019 costume perfectly hit all the right notes for this year’s “Camp” theme. He made a stunning entrance, carried by six men, and gave a show. Porter’s gold-embellished bodysuit, 10-foot wings, and gold headpiece were all courtesy of The Blonds.
For his final Met Gala appearance in 2021, Virgil Abloh put a twist on the classic suit. The late Off-White designer wore a white suit with the word “modernism” spray-painted in blue, and accessorized with a sherpa hat with vertical ears.
Lewis Hamilton is clearly a fan of the see-through trend. The Formula 1 driver and 2025 Met Gala co-chair added lace accents to his Kenneth Nicholson suit, layering a white see-through shirt underneath.
Pharrell Williams and his wife Helen Lasichanh went for a Western look at the 2021 event. The musician and his wife wore matching Chanel denim shirts, paired with jeweled Paulo ties and black cowboy boots.
Who says corsets and lace are only for women? Lenny Kravitz went for a mysterious and ethereal style in an all-black Chrome Hearts look, including a lace shirt and corset. He paired it with a pair of leather pants and a pair of high-heeled boots.
A real fashion killer. A$AP Rocky redefined men’s style by opting for a red plaid skirt and jeans, paired with a blazer. The head-to-toe custom Gucci look was a tribute to the late Karl Lagerfeld and remains one of the style icon’s best looks.
Tyler Mitchell looked stylish at the 2023 event. The photographer and visionary wore a custom Bode outfit with delicate white embellishments that was clearly crafted with care. There were even his initials sewn on the left cuff.
Bad Bunny declared that backless outfits are not exclusive to women. The singer’s custom all-white Jacquemus suit showed some skin and paired it with some dangling jewelry. He finished the look with a gorgeous floral skirt.
Colman Domingo made his Met Gala debut and showed everyone his most stylish Hollywood style. He wore a sexy black and white look designed by Willy Chavarria, paying homage to both Chadwick Boseman and André Leon Talley.
This was Lil Nas X’s third Met Gala appearance, and he continued his usual dramatic style. The rapper wore an oversized white and silver jumpsuit designed by Luar’s Raul Lopez, and also painted his nails super long with crystals.