First Monday in May: Our Picks for Best Met Gala Outfits

By: Rylee Cassidy

It's officially the first Monday in May, which is a celebration for those who understand the cultural impact of the Met Gala, and just another ordinary day for everyone else. The Met Gala is an annual fundraiser for the Art Exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum in NYC, held on the first Monday in May. This is not any typical fundraiser, it includes a stellar guest list for the most renowned celebrities in the world dressed in elegant designer looks pertaining to a certain theme. The theme this year? “Tailoring For You” a take on the exhibit’s name Superfine: Tailoring Black Style. With this unique theme, we are expecting interesting takes on menswear, something usually the Met Gala is not known for. Fitting this theme is a term called “black dandyism” which is a take on fashion important to the history of the Black identity. Famous names in this style such as Julius Soubise are who many are taking inspiration from tonight. The Met Gala is underway and as it continues, we will pick those celebrities who blew us away, showed up and showed out, or were simply unmatched.

Colman Domingo in Valentino

Domingo, who is one of the co chairs of the night along with A$AP Rocky, LeBron James, Lewis Hamilton, and Pharrell Williams, knocked it out of the park. He walked into the event with this elegant blue and jeweled cape to rip it off and reveal a polished suit full of neutral colors. He fit the theme perfectly with his fashion-inspired displays of wealth and well manicured appearance.

Janelle Monae in Thom Browne and Paul Tazewell

Another multi leveled outfit for Monae, who joins Usher, Tyla, Ayo Edebiri, and Doechii as the

Met Gala’s first ever host committee tonight. This look is a perfect mix of fitting the theme with also a bit of personal style as well. Monae is known for adding a little bit of camp into not just her Met Gala outfits, but her streetwear too. This look incorporates a mix of patterns, colors, and elements to match the theme, but also stand out.

Teyana Taylor in Ruth E Carter

Taylor’s outfit is the definition of blew us away, showed up and showed out, or simply

unmatched. From everything to the padded shoulders in the jacket to the cane and the bold necklace, this look is perfect for the theme. Taylor interpreted the theme very literally and it veryobviously paid off in the end. Black dandyism is all about the display of wealth that was dressed onto African Americans in the past and this look hit the nail on the head.

Brian Tyree Henry

With the boots overtop of the suit, red patterned cape, and bold jewelry statements, Tyree Henry was on point with his look. Even more interesting to note is that he styled almost all of the lookentirely on his own, with David Yurman jewelry to top it off of course. When some people are talking about how men need to step up their game when it comes to red carpet looks, Brian Tyree Henry’s name is never brought into conversation for this very reason.

Damson Idris in Tommy Hilfiger

Last but certainly not least is Damson Idris making his grand entrance in Tommy Hilfiger. Idris

arrived at the gala in a racecar while wearing a race suit before he ripped his suit in half to

reveal a stunning red suit underneath. His helmet was by his side for the night which has tens of thousands of crystals placed on it. Not only did he go above and beyond on his arrival to the gala, Idris made sure to accompany that arrival with a perfectly fitted and on theme suit.

In conclusion, this Met Gala was different from the rest for many different reasons as it focused on menswear, highlighted Black fashion, and even introduced a host committee for the first time. The Met Gala is the time of the year wear looking and feeling your best is all that matters, even though some people might not fit the theme. This is arguably Hollywood’s biggest night in fashion and for it to focus on Black identity and fashion was really important and historical, and because of this, I hope that different themes of the same nature continue to influence the Met Gala for years to come