Met Gala 2022: Fasion Review

Of all the red carpet events I watch throughout the year, the Met Gala has to be one of my favorites. First of all, it's the ultimate in haute couture. Enormous and elaborate headpieces, veils, and trains are de rigeur. The fabrics and structural elements are amazing. But what I like most about the event is that the fashion is intended to adhere to a theme. I find it fascinating to see how different designers and different celebrities interpret that theme. 

This year is particularly interesting, with its theme of "Gilded Glamour." Many attendees took that theme in its most literal sense, wearing sparkly metallic gold or silver gowns. A few opted for standard Hollywood glamour. Others leaned into the popularity of HBO's "The Gilded Age" series and wore outfits that echoed the styles of the 1880s, as worn on the show. Yet others seemed to ignore the theme altogether and either settled for "standard" red carpet wear or chose an outfit that was merely elaborate for the sake of being elaborate.

So let's look at who wore what, who exemplified the theme (in any sense), who sparkled and shone, who crashed and burned, and who merely bored us all to tears.

Merely Metallic

Many Met attendees chose to adhere to the theme in a very literal sense by wearing silver or gold metallic gowns or ensembles. Here are a few of the notable metallics.

Alicia Keys wore a dramatic black and silver ensemble, pairing a strapless silver column with a marvelous fitted one-shouldered black satin cape embellished with a sparkling silver city skyline depicted around the hem. She also earns bonus points for the fun silver-edged disks angling down her long braid. 

Amber Valetta opted for a metallic gold pleated dress with a plunging v-shaped bodice, black opera gloves, and some fabulous chunky jewelry. I wish the gown had been either a little longer or a little shorter, but I loved the dramatic silhouette and the radiating lines formed by the pleats.

Surprisingly, Cardi B opted to tone DOWN her usual style for the Met - and I'm glad she did, because she hit it out of the park with this magnificent gold ensemble. Her gown consisted of what was essentially stacks of gold chains, accented by stacks of gold necklaces and gold bracelets, and with her hair piled on top of her head. The hairdo and the brooch on her bodice were nice nods to the fashions of the Gilded Age in the late 1800s, while the dress and accessories were as rich and opulent as could be. This was one of my favorite themed outfits this year. 

Cara DeLevigne went the most literal of all, wearing a red military-style pantsuit with just a peep of gold on her feet - but then she removed the jacket to reveal that her torso was literally gilded, as she was wearing nothing above the waist except gold body paint, small gold pasties, and some gold chains. A daring choice that couldn't have been pulled off by many people, but she made it work. 

Another of my favorites among the all-gold ensembles was Megan Thee Stallion's textured metallic gown, with illusion panels at the sides, a wide thigh-high slit, and short train. But my favorite detail was the winged shrug, which elevated the look from "mere mortal" to "true goddess."

Glimmers of Gilt (aka Mixing Metallics)

Some of the attendees used metallics as an accent, rather than the full focus of their looks. 

I loved Carey Mulligan's look: a black sheath with gold embellishment on the bodice and a long, textured, metallic gold train. It was simple, but had fabulous lines and plenty of visual interest. Not one of the more cutting-edge looks, but elegant, different, and absolutely holding to the theme.

Ashley Park paired her fluffy metallic silver skirt with a soft pink corset-style bodice with short puffed sleeves and a pair of straight, slightly flared trains. The corsetry, as well as her hairstyle and jewelry, was wonderfully evocative of the Gilded Age, but the skirt and train were all contemporary and all fabulous. 

Chloe Grace Moretz paired a wonderfully Hamilton-esque silver embroidered bell-sleeved jacket with flared white crop pants, a long white scarf, pointy silver pumps, and dramatic makeup for an elegant, memorable, and different look. 

Janelle Monae's look was also surprisingly restrained compared to many of her red carpet looks. I did like her flared black-with-silver-flecks halter gown, with its striped black-and-silver bib, the pattern of which was echoed in her stacked diamond bracelets and her snug-fitting cap. But the style of the cap was more reminiscent of Joan of Arc than the Gilded Age. Not a bad look overall, though. 

Lizzo wore a solid black dress with an interesting cut-out strip at thigh level, topped with a fabulous gold-trimmed Asian-inspired jacket with trailing panels at each side. I like her look, except that I think she would have looked more well-proportioned with the bulky sleeves of the jacket had she worn an updo or a hairstyle with more fullness on top and less at the sides. But overall, a nice look and nicely in keeping with the theme.

  

I might not have found Ariana DeBose's look interesting enough for this column, except when I saw her posing with her designer, Jeremy Scott, in their adorably coordinated outfits. I don't love the placement of the front keyhole of the dress, especially since the gold trim tends to blend into her skin tone. But I do love the way the gold twines up each side of the dress and the gold accents on the gloves, and the big gold necklace/capelet that goes around the back of her neck without quite closing in front is fabulous. But having the designer posing proudly right next to her in the male version of her look? Sheer perfection. 

The Gilded Age

Some celebrities based their looks on the styles of the "Gilded Age," the 1880s. Some went with a fairly realistic interpretation, while others simply used those styles as a jumping-off point for a fantastical interpretation.

I love that Billie Eilish is exploring red carpet fashion. Her outfit at the Oscars was daring but not quite right for her; her Met outfit is just perfect for the occasion and for her own style. Her satin gown is evocative of a Gilded Age saloon girl, with its fitted, structured bodice with pale pastel panels and large flower, and her gracefully draped full ivory skirt. The updo of her jet black hair and black ribbon choker are the icing on the cake. 

Arguably the best look of the night was Blake Lively's gorgeous semi-metallic column with a large poufed side drape and full train. It incorporated the literal gilding of hundreds of tiny metallic panels, the opulence of rich fabrics and oversized accents, and a silhouette and details from the Gilded Age. Absolutely magnificent in every sense. 

Caroline Trentini wore a magnificent white ballgown with a plunging, broad portrait neckline and crushed sleeves leading to wonderful black opera gloves. The bodice faded into deep chocolate brown at the waist, and her hair was gelled and curled into a fantastical updo. It was a wonderful fantasy rooted in 1880s fashion. 

Danai Gurira also wore a take on a full ballgown, hers in cobalt blue satin with a bell-shaped skirt and marvelously structured fan detailing on the bodice and cascading slightly at one hip. I loved that her accessory was a vintage-style animal-tail fan - very Gilded Age.

Emily Ratajkowski's look was a clear riff on a Moulin Rouge-style dancer, with its wonderfully colorful curtain skirt complete with gold fringe, and her gold-and-gemstone top with gold chains for straps. It's just enough skimpier and brighter than a period look to be a modern take on a Gilded Age can-can dancer. 

I have to admit that I am not generally a fan of Sarah Jessica Parker's style. But I adore her two-piece black-and-white hoop-skirted ballgown with off-the-shoulders basque bodice and black-and-white train, and I particularly adore the enormous fascinator with black-and-white plumes and tulle loops erupting from a magenta flower. An absolutely charming and whimsical take on Gilded Age fashion.  

Yawnfest

In my opinion, it is better to fail dramatically than to be dull and boring at the Met. But a number of celebrities definitely felt that "safe" was the way to go. 

Addison Raye's silver-to-black hombre halter column was lovely but very simple. Fine (if a bit plain) for other red carpet events, but for the Met Gala? BOR. ING.

Amy Schumer wore a simple long-sleeved black dress with a portrait collar and slightly too-long flared sleeves. It's one "rebellious" detail was an asymmetrical hem. She didn't even bother to wear interesting shoes or other accessories. Maybe she hoped we wouldn't recognize her with the sunglasses on?

I'm sure some folks loved Eiza Gonzales' look, but I just found it completely boring. Lots of white feathers, cape, plunging neckline. Nothing we haven't seen a hundred times before. This one just didn't do it for me.

Jessica Chastain seemed to be channeling Norma Desmond in her high-necked, long-sleeved, deep burgundy spangled gown with diamond belt and matching turban. Not particularly tied-in to the Gilded Age, Gilt, or Glamour. 

 

Another look that would be fine but bland on a different red carpet was Julianne Moore's loosely-fitted white column with bow at the front and white elbow-length gloves. Pretty, but decidedly lacking in gilding and glamour. 

Kris Jenner opted for another pretty but boring dress in a pale yellow, one-shouldered toga-style dress with a wide band of gold trim, accessorized with white gloves and a small evening bag. A fine look for something, but not the Met Gala.

Lily Allen is lovely, and in the right context, her sleeveless dress with its high waist, jewel neck, and multicolor eyelash skirt would be cute. But the Met Gala is not the place for cute. Add a 12-foot train or a 3-foot headpiece and it might work. But as is? Yawn. 

Missed the Mark

Some celebrities seemed to have ignored the theme altogether, opting for some kind of cutting-edge look that didn't have any recognizable connection to either Gild or Glamour. And a few may have been making an attempt at the theme, but just weren't very successful. Here are some looks that either didn't work with the theme, or just plain didn't work. 

I can see what Awkwafina was going for with this outfit, but it just didn't come together. I loved the soft peach color that deepened toward the hem, the shimmering silver waves, and the lovely lines of the bodice and shoulders. But the black belt and cuffs broke up the line in a way that didn't work for me, the thick ruffle at the hem was the wrong style for the rest of the dress, making it look bottom-heavy, and the look overall just didn't seem to suit her style. It wasn't terrible, it just could have been so much better.   

The only connection to the theme that I could find in Bella Hadid's "fantasy on a biker chick" look was lace stockings and a pearl necklace inexplicably wrapped around one ankle. If the bodice had been better fitted (it was clearly too small and looked horribly uncomfortable), the look could have worked on another red carpet. But it just made no sense here.

Camila Cabelo clearly made an attempt at opulence, with her white gown's long, full train and huge, floral-lined cascading ruffle. But the cropped bodice was badly proportioned (too short, too flared, and too square at the shoulders for the softness of the lines of the skirt), the ruffle was too bulky for her petite frame, and the skirt was a hair too full at the hips and a hair too long at the hem, which made the fabric buckle instead of falling in a neat, graceful line. Close, but not quite there.

Technically, Chloe Bailey should be in the "Merely Metallic" section above, thanks to her gold-sequin dress, but with the bizarrely asymmetric lumps and awful shapes combined with the weird necklace/headpiece (which was a completely different shade of gold from the dress, as were her shoes), it was too much of a disaster to be included there. 

Although the metallic patchwork fabric of Eriyka Badu's dress is really cool, the bathrobe style of the dress and overly-tall top hat might be more appropriate for a theme of Harry Potter or Dr. Seuss. It certainly didn't work for me here.

 

Another look that was on the right track conceptually but fell short in the execution was Gemma Chan's black-and-silver ensemble. The broad capelet with black shoulders descending into silver lace panels was lovely, but the stiff, pannier-style skirt reminded me a little too much of the old Carol Burnett "Went with the Wind" sketch ("I saw it in the window and I just couldn't resist it"). 

Gigi Hadid's base dress could have been a winner, based on the bit I could see of the corset and the top of the skirt. But it - and she - is completely overwhelmed by the puffy-coat-on-steroids that she's wearing on top of it. The sleeves are so huge that she can't even hold her arms at her sides, and her hands are vanishing into them. It's a shame, because it's a gorgeous color on her, and if it were about half as voluminous it might have worked. But it wasn't, and it didn't.

I did like Hailey Bieber's white marabou-trimmed wrap. But that bland flap of white satin that fell shapelessly from the halter neckline and the strange choice of black hose (with SANDALS!?!) turned it into a hot mess.

I love Maisie Williams, I really do. So please believe this is meant to be constructive criticism when I say that this is NOT the look for her. The white corset is kind of pretty, and the black wrap has nice lines although it's just a bit too bulky for her. But the harsh, plastered-down, marcelled hairdo and goth makeup do not work with her round face and soft features. I appreciate that she's trying out some more adult looks, but this is not the one for her. 

Kylie Jenner seemed to be wearing a frothy wedding gown with a t-shirt for a bodice, and a backwards baseball cap with a veil. Wait, what??

Nicki Minaj is also wearing a baseball cap (not backwards, at least, but with a weird arch over the top like she has headphones on over it), with a too-low, skintight bodice, a giant belt buckle across her torso, leather leggings, and a flamenco-style half-skirt. I know I just said this, but wait, what??

Just Cool

Sometimes an attendee's outfit is so cool that you don't even care whether or not it goes with the theme, because it's just so fascinating in its own right. There were certainly some looks in that category this year. 

Tuxedo-styled gowns can be wonderful or terrible, and Christine Baranski's definitely fell on the side of wonderful for me. Her sleeveless black tuxedo jacket was topped with a floor-length tailored black cape and black column skirt that was accented only by a tiny white pocket square and a white bowtie, then topped with dark black sunglasses and just a pop of deep red lipstick. Dramatic and effective. 

I always love Met gowns with interesting structural designs, so I was fascinated by Dove Cameron's white openwork dress. The patterns in the fabric extended into 3-dimensional, pannier-like projections at the hip which trailed threads to the floor. I'm not sure it's the most aesthetically pleasing look I've ever seen, but it is certainly fascinating architecturally. 

The color of Lena Waithe's outfit was what first caught my eye, but the more I looked the more I loved. The top is made of alternating sheer and silver tiny panels, creating a fascinating geometric web pattern, then the sleeves and the hem of the coat have softer, more curved silver patterns. I love the long-coat-as-cape look that appeared several times at the Gala, but Lena's version was among the best. 

I'm not always a fan of either overly sheer looks or of outfits with words printed on them, but here at the Met Gala both details can work for me, as they do with Lila Grace Moss Hack's dress. The sheer overlay has lovely silver detailing across the bodice, at the neck and cuffs, and scattered over the skirt, and the undergarment is neither granny panties nor inappropriately scanty. And the words are subtle enough that they merely add an interesting texture rather than forcing the viewer to try to read a statement. It's as if all the factors that I dislike are toned down enough that I am able to appreciate the rest of the aesthetic, which I very much do. 

I loved Quannah Chasinghorse's outfit because of its wonderful way of melding the theme with her Native American heritage. Her hairstyle, facial markings, and neck and arm jewelry all reflect her heritage, but in addition, they are set off beautifully by her pale blue, full yet floating gown. The look is graceful and feminine yet very powerful and strong. 

Sometime I see a look on the red carpet and think, "I shouldn't like this, yet somehow I do." Renata Reinsva's look was one of those. I love the black and silver capelet, which reminds me of dragon's wings, worn as a shirt rather than over a shirt, and paired with slick black fitted ankle pants and sky-high pointy black pumps. It's tough yet elegant, and I like it. 

Another look that I find fascinating due to its structure, Tessa Thompson's pale pink column featured a series of huge tulle puffs extending from the skirt into a short train that should have looked bulky and awkward, yet somehow appeared to float like waves of cotton candy. Very sweet. 

I didn't care much for the structure of Teyana Taylor's dress, but the blue-and-white watercolor fabric is so extraordinary that the cut of the dress really didn't matter very much. But I also liked her headpiece, which formed a kind of wire crown that also reached down to frame her face. 

Winnie Harlow would be magnificent wearing a burlap sack, but she was even more so in this sandwich-board-style dress with white tulle "flowers" with black detailing front and back, topped with a goddess-like spiky white crown. As Tyra Banks would say: FIERCE!

Also Worthy of Mention

Anna Wintour has to personally approve every attendee at the Met Gala, so it seems only fair to include her in this list. Her look consisted of a long, straight skirt in mottled champagne and silver, topped with a shirt covered in eyelash fabric below the shoulders, and naturally, she was wearing a tiara. Because SHE IS THE QUEEN.