Most Outrageous Met Gala Looks Of All Time

Published on May 8, 2018. Updated October 2, 2019

Each year the first Monday of May signifies one of the most important fashion nights of the entire year — the Met Gala! The event takes place at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York where some of Hollywood’s most elite A-listers come together in the name of fashion. Each year the event has a different theme to which the attendees follow by dressing in the most experimental and creative way possible. Many of the dresses are so intricate that they are works of art themselves, so follow along as we recall 20 of the boldest and most outrageous Met Gala looks of all time:

22. Rihanna 2018

Rihanna took the 2018 “Heavenly Bodies” theme quite literally when she stepped onto the Met Gala red carpet dressed up as the Pope himself! Her look was designed by Margiela and featured a three-piece set complete with a minidress, jacket, and headpiece. Rihanna looked totally fierce on the 2018 red carpet and has proved time and time again that she is the Queen of the Met Gala.

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21. Sarah Jessica Parker 2018

Sarah Jessica Parker left jaws dropped everywhere when she stepped out at the 2018 Met Gala wearing this extravagant golden number. Her look featured heavy brocade embroidery which was laced with sparkling red hearts throughout. To bring even more drama, Jessica Parker wore a towering gold headpiece on her head and clipped in mile-long blonde extensions which draped down her back.

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20. Lupita Nyong’o 2014

Lupita Nyong’o quickly rose to fashion icon status throughout the early stages of her red carpet premieres, which is why fans have huge expectations for her Met Gala attire. In 2014, Nyong’o stepped out in one of the most memorable Met Gala looks to date which included a sheer, beaded overpiece layered on top of a brown sheath dress. The netted look featured teardrop-shaped crystals and emerald feathers, which she topped with matching jewel-toned heels and a headband around her head.

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19. Kendall Jenner 2017

With her experience on Victoria’s Secret runway, Kendall Jenner is no stranger to showing a little skin in public. For the 2017 Met Gala, she did exactly that in what quickly became one of the most iconic Met Gala looks ever. Kendall’s glittering look featured a bodysuit that had an asymmetrical slash crossing the front then flared out into a sheer, sparkling skirt. The look was definitely pretty bold, but somehow Kendall seemed to make the risky look come across minimalist and delicate.

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18. Katy Perry 2016

Katy Perry has definitely built herself a reputation for stepping out in some downright outrageous outfits when it comes to the Met Gala! She is always one of the most anticipated Met Gala guests and seems to get more and more experimental each year. Her look from 2016 was definitely one of the most buzzed-about looks of the evening which featured a velvet texture and variety of gold embellishments, thick belts, and leather gloves.

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17. Celine Dion 2017

Celine Dion is known for her risky fashion moments, even for events that aren’t the Met Gala. Her backward white tuxedo from the 1999 Oscar’s is one of the most memorable looks of all time, which is why fans can definitely expect a lot from her when she’s given free reign with her fashion at an event like the Met Gala. For someone who loves fashion, surprisingly 2017 was the first time she attended the event. Her big Met Gala debut was one to remember and consisted of an Atelier Versace silver and black outfit with an ultra-high slit. For accessories, she topped her look with an avant-garde black headpiece that paired perfectly with her edgy outfit and dark smokey eyes.

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16. Priyanka Chopra 2017

Priyanka Chopra has quickly risen to become one of the most noteworthy fashion icons in Hollywood. The Met Gala is her perfect playground to make a statement with her fashion and she definitely did so in 2017 when she stepped out wearing this trench coat dress with a train that trailed behind her for miles. The look was different than any the Met Gala had seen before and many buzzed about this Ralph Lauren look for months following the event.

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15. Sarah Jessica Parker 2006

Sarah Jessica Parker has a huge reputation to live up to when it comes to fashion for the Met Gala and she’s definitely proved she does not hold back or play it safe. Her looks are always quite risky, but in all fairness, this is easily the most appropriate event all year to do so. No one could possibly forget the Alexander McQueen look she wore to the Met Gala in 2006 which featured a one-shoulder tartan to the theme of Tradition and Transgression in British Fashion.

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14. Bella Hadid 2017

Bella Hadid opted out of wearing a dress completely when she attended the 2017 Met Gala. Instead, the supermodel rocked a sheer catsuit that sparkled and hugged her body in all the right places. The piece fell slightly off the shoulder and featured an ultra low back which left little to the imagination. The 2017 Met Gala marked the year that her ex, The Weeknd, made his debut with new girlfriend Selena Gomez so Bella was definitely there to leave an impression!

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13. Rihanna 2015

Rihanna has proven that she is the Met Gala queen and seemingly gets more daring with each year that passes. The 2015 Met Gala began quite tame in comparison to other years and consisted of a sea of safe red and black gowns, that is until Rihanna stepped out and shocked everyone with this canary yellow number. The look consisted of a mile long train with a fur trim which she topped with a matching golden headpiece.

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12. Nicki Minaj 2016

Nicki Minaj rarely holds back when it comes to the red carpet, and the 2016 Met Gala was no different! Minaj left little to the imagination and rocked a cleavage-baring, black strappy number with belts, buckles, and straps galore. All eyes were on Minaj this evening and her look was undeniably one of the most outrageous the Met Gala has ever seen.

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11. Solange Knowles 2016

Solange Knowles turned heads in this lemon yellow look at the 2016 Met Gala. The outfit was seriously fierce and consisted of a pair of latex yellow leggings and an avant-garde pleated dress that fanned out in all directions. The outfit was more than just a dress and featured so much visual interest and surprising aspects that many would prefer to call it a wearable work of art instead!

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10. Amber Valetta 2004

Amber Valetta shocked everyone when she stepped out at the 2004 Met Gala dressed up in this Marie Antoinette-inspired look. Valetta wore a throwback outfit that took it all the way back to the 18th century from the corset-style bodice and powdered wig. The skirt featured prints, ruffles and textures galore which made this entire look even more outrageous.

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9. Cara Delevingne 2017

Supermodel Cara Delevingne pushed fashion and beauty boundaries to the next level when she stepped out at the 2017 Met Gala wearing this all-silver ensemble. Her outfit consisted of wide leg beaded pants which matched with her plunging beaded blazer. To top the look, she added a chunky silver belt and painted her head metallic silver which really made this sartorial moment stand out in Met Gala history.

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8. Anne Hathaway 2015

Anne Hathaway’s outfit from the 2015 Met Gala raised quite a few questions with fashion critics worldwide. Her sleek gold number featured a body-hugging silhouette which was admittedly quite flattering, but the true point of confusion was the addition of the hood. A detail like this would only be suitable for the Met Gala, but this look is unquestionably one that has gone down in Met Gala history as one of the most outrageous!

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7. Sarah Jessica Parker 2015

Sarah Jessica Parker is one of Hollywood’s most influential fashion icons, which is why her appearances at the Met Gala are some of the most anticipated. In 2015, Parker wore a satin black gown that featured a multi-color sash trailing along the front. Her extravagant headpiece, however, is truly what stole the show! The red and silver Philip Treacy hat stood tall and featured flame-inspired spikes and tassels galore.

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6. Lady Gaga 2016

Lady Gaga is one of the most experienced theatrical fashionistas in Hollywood and has a huge reputation for stepping out in bold, statement outfits. With this in mind, the Met Gala is exactly where Lady Gaga should thrive, and in 2016 she totally proved this notion true! Her look consisted of a structured silver bodysuit which she paired with a cropped, metallic bolero jacket. The true feature of the dress that sent shockwaves through viewers, as did the sky-high platform heels she donned to stroll the red carpet.

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5. Katy Perry 2017

Katy Perry struck again with her bold Met Gala outfit choices when she stepped out in 2017 wearing this seriously outrageous outfit! The Maison Margiela by John Galliano design featured layers of red tulle and a sheer headpiece that veiled her face and displayed the words “Witness” across her forehead. No one could deny that this wearable art outfit worn by Katy Perry was one of the most bizarre the Met Gala has ever seen.

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4. Beyonce 2015

Beyonce is one of the most stunning women in Hollywood and could seemingly pull off even some of the most outrageous outfits. Her Met Gala look from 2015 was definitely one of the more bold looks she’s worn on the red carpet and consisted of a sheer, sparkling Givenchy number that covered her in all the right places. She topped the look with a sleek, lopsided high-pony which really brought the avant-garde and glamorous feel to the look.

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3. Madonna 2016

Pop icon Madonna is known for making a statement, especially when it comes to her on-stage costumes and red carpet looks. In 2016 she shocked everyone when she stepped out at the Met Gala wearing this bold black ensemble. Her outfit featured sheer lace paneling and definitely did not leave much to the imagination, which marks this Met Gala fashion moment as one of the most outrageous ever.

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2. Rihanna 2017

Just when we thought Rihanna couldn’t get anymore bold than her 2015 yellow gown, she stepped out in 2017 wearing this extravagant pink creation. The sculptural piece was inspired by 18th-century “punks” and featured layers of petal-shaped fabric which were meant to resemble pulled apart flowers. She topped the fashion masterpiece with a bright pop of magenta on her cheeks, lips, and eyes.

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1. Solange Knowles 2015

Solange shut down the Met Gala when she stepped out in this statement look in 2015. This circular outfit was arguably the most outrageous of all time and featured a surrealist print that outlined the hourglass shape of her body. The look was intended to give the illusion that she had fallen into a black hole, but it definitely required a few moments of analyzing to truly figure out what was happening on this dress!