31 Celebs Who Tried Too Hard To Dress For The Met Gala And Failed In Spectacular Fashion

Jared Leto's choice to portray Karl Lagerfeld's cat, Choupette, as a literal costume at the 2023 Met Gala earned him particular attention.
He notably kept the cat head on for an extended period, causing initial confusion among attendees.

At the 2023 Met Gala, Lil Nas X channeled Karl Lagerfeld's beloved cat, Choupette, for his ensemble. The costume, designed by Dior, featured a thong and intricate coverings of silver paint and gemstones, requiring 10 hours to complete.

Fredrik Robertsson made a striking entrance at the 2022 Met Gala in a futuristic Iris van Herpen jumpsuit. The sculptural design, adorned with intricate 3D pin-like embellishments, appeared almost alien in its precision—embodying the Dutch designer’s signature blend of technology and haute couture. The metallic, armor-like ensemble moved fluidly with Robertsson, creating a mesmerizing effect that blurred the line between fashion and art.

The Oscar-winning actress made a striking entrance in a bold blue cape and an oversized headpiece that turned heads. The dramatic ensemble, designed by Valentino, was a standout at the "Heavenly Bodies" themed event. McDormand, known for her understated style, surprised everyone with this fashion-forward choice, proving she could command the red carpet just as well as the silver screen. The look was a perfect blend of high fashion and theatricality, fitting the gala's theme of fashion and religion.

Rihanna stole the show at the 2015 Met Gala in a voluminous, sunshine-yellow Guo Pei cape-gown that took over the red carpet—literally. The hand-embroidered, fur-trimmed masterpiece, which required a team to carry its 16-foot train, instantly became iconic, inspiring endless memes. While some critics dismissed it as excessive, Rihanna's commitment to the "China: Through the Looking Glass" theme was undeniable—and history proved her right. The look cemented her status as the Met Gala's ultimate risk-taker, blending cultural homage with jaw-dropping spectacle.

Grimes fully leaned into her "neo-medieval ethereal" aesthetic at the 2021 Met Gala, channeling futuristic warrior vibes in an Iris van Herpen gown with armored detailing and a dramatic, face-obscuring hood. But the true showstopper? The towering, very real (though blunt) sword she wielded like a prophetic relic from a cyberpunk fairy tale.

Sarah Jessica Parker made a bold statement at the 2015 Met Gala, embracing the China: Through the Looking Glass theme with a dramatic Philip Treacy headpiece. The fiery, sculptural design—resembling flames—became an instant talking point, sparking memes and social media buzz. While the avant-garde accessory drew mixed reactions, Parker’s commitment to the theme was undeniable. Paired with a custom H&M gown, the look balanced high fashion with theatricality, proving her fearless approach to red-carpet moments.

Janelle Monáe turned heads at the 2023 Met Gala with a show-stopping ensemble that was as theatrical as it was stylish. The multi-layered Thom Browne creation began as a structured black-and-white coat—only to be dramatically removed mid-carpet, revealing a sheer pannier dress and a bikini underneath. The look, a playful nod to the event's Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty theme, was a masterclass in surprise and subversion. Monáe cheekily described the outfit as "a perfect threesome of me, Thom, and Karl," blending Lagerfeld's signature elegance with Browne's avant-garde sensibilities.

Doja Cat's 2023 Met Gala costume, inspired by Karl Lagerfeld's cat Choupette, was a thoroughly immersive experience. The look extended beyond face prosthetics and claw nails, as she conducted interviews meowing as a cat, creating a memorable and playful homage to Lagerfeld's beloved feline companion.

Madonna made a striking appearance at the 2016 Met Gala, embracing the "Manus x Machina" theme with a daring Givenchy ensemble that blended high fashion with provocative design. The look featured a bondage-inspired thong bodysuit, lace draping, thigh-high leather boots, and intricate cutouts, creating a powerful visual statement. In a now-deleted Instagram post, the pop icon defended her choice, calling it a "political statement" on women's rights, writing, "When it comes to women's freedom, we are still in the dark ages."

Even the most iconic fashion figures have their "what was I thinking?" moments—and Anna Wintour's 2004 Met Gala look is a prime example. The Vogue editor arrived in a pale green, bubble-hem, bedazzled coat-dress, layered over a matching gown, for the "Dangerous Liaisons: Fashion and Furniture in the 18th Century" theme. The ensemble, while undeniably bold, left many scratching their heads, as it seemed to straddle the line between avant-garde and... just plain confusing.

Julie Macklowe's 2017 Met Gala look, an armless Comme des Garçons creation, drew attention for its unconventional design. Macklowe humorously explained her choice, stating, "I've gone as a flying squirrel with no arms tonight...I feel like I need a beer-bong helmet since I don't have arms, so I can drink. I just hope someone who sits next to me will feed me."

Jared Leto's 2019 Met Gala arrival, which saw him carrying a lifelike replica of his own head, remains a memorable and unsettling moment. While aligning with the "Camp: Notes on Fashion" theme, the elaborate prop generated significant attention and awe. Leto's playful interactions with the prop, including tossing it to Shaun Mendes, further contributed to the unusual spectacle.

Shailene Woodley’s 2018 Met Gala ensemble was a bold, if confusing, interpretation of the “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination” theme. The actress arrived in a structured, metallic gold and silver dress with a high neck and dramatic sleeves, which, while technically inspired by Joan of Arc, ended up looking more like a futuristic knight’s armor.

Solange Knowles embraced fan participation for her 2018 Met Gala look, allowing Twitter users to select her outfit from a selection of five options. The chosen ensemble, a design by Iris van Herpen, was emulating the theme "Heavenly Bodies."

Kim Petras made a striking statement at the 2023 Met Gala with a bold, equine-inspired look. The German singer's outfit featured a horse head as a corset, creating a dramatic and unconventional silhouette. The design, which was both avant-garde and visually arresting, aligned with the event's theme of pushing fashion boundaries.

Amber Valletta fully committed to the “Dangerous Liaisons: Fashion and Furniture in the 18th Century” theme in 2004, arriving in a head-turning, Marie Antoinette-inspired ensemble complete with towering powdered wig, corseted gown, and all the rococo excess the era demanded. Reflecting on the look years later, Valletta told W: “Looking back on it, I think it’s so badass that I went for it... It was a time when people were just starting to get into the theme.”

Katy Perry's 2019 Met Gala look, inspired by the "Camp: Notes on Fashion" theme, was a literal chandelier creation by Moschino. The silver, bejeweled dress was topped with three tiers of light-up candles, with the final one weighing 40 pounds and positioned on her head. She told Time that her intention was to avoid sitting during the event, saying, "You don't sit down at the Met."

At the 1999 Met Gala, Liv Tyler and Stella McCartney—both daughters of rock legends—made a statement in the simplest way possible: matching "Rock Royalty" T-shirts. The duo's casual look, a stark contrast to the gala's formal dress code, became an iconic moment of effortless cool. In a later interview with Vogue, McCartney downplayed the rebellious intent, saying, "I didn't come at it intentionally to be rebellious at all. I didn't know what people wore." Tyler added, "It wasn't really appropriate that we wore those shirts... It was very cool and rebellious of Stella."

Frank Ocean's 2021 Met Gala appearance featured a striking, attention-grabbing element: a lifelike, moving, green robot baby, which he reportedly used to promote his luxury brand, Homer. The baby's uncanny resemblance to a real infant created a captivating and potentially unsettling visual that likely underscored the branding message.

Emma Corrin brought their signature quirky-cool aesthetic to the 2022 Met Gala, channeling "King of the Dudes" Evander Berry Wall—a 19th-century New York socialite known for his flamboyant style. The standout piece? A dramatically tall, modernized bowler hat, paired with an oversized Miu Miu jacket and sleek patent booties for a striking silhouette. True to form, Corrin balanced avant-garde whimsy with sharp tailoring, proving why they’re a red-carpet standout.

Solange Knowles embraced the unconventional theme of the 2017 Met Gala, which honored Rei Kawakubo, with a Thom Browne ensemble. The unique outfit combined elements of a sleeping bag and a puffer jacket, accompanied by a long quilted train and ice skate-inspired shoes.

Marc Jacobs opted for an unconventional look at the 2012 Met Gala, pairing a Comme des Garçons black lace tunic with white boxers. Defying the typical black-tie expectation, he explained, "I didn't want to wear a tuxedo and be boring," adding that the bold choice felt fitting for a night celebrating Prada's avant-garde spirit.

Cara Delevingne turned the 2022 Met Gala into a high-fashion striptease, arriving in a sleek red Dior Haute Couture suit—only to dramatically remove the blazer mid-carpet, revealing her bare torso adorned solely with gold body paint, pasties, and delicate butterfly-themed jewelry. The bold reveal, a nod to the "Gilded Glamour" theme, was both a sartorial spectacle and a statement on bodily autonomy. Delevingne later explained the look symbolized "the metamorphosis of a butterfly" and celebrated freedom of expression.

Helen Lasichanh's 2017 Met Gala ensemble, a Comme des Garçons creation, drew a lot of attention for its distinctive design. Pharrell Williams, accompanying her in ripped Comme des Garçons jeans, also garnered attention for his fashion choice but ultimately stuck to the theme.

Kim Kardashian initially hesitated about her 2021 Met Gala outfit, a Balenciaga design, but ultimately chose to embrace the theme. She went on to explain to Vogue that "[Balenciaga's creative director Demna Gvasalia] and the team were like, 'This is a costume gala. This is not a Vanity Fair party where everyone looks beautiful. There's a theme and you have to wear the mask. That is the look.'"

Evan Mock, the Gossip Girl reboot star, made a rebellious first impression at the 2021 Met Gala in a deconstructed Thom Browne ensemble that blended prep-school polish with punk irreverence. The look featured a spiked mask, a dress jacket studded with safety pins, and long shorts—all paired with intentionally mismatched socks and chunky silver jewelry. The outfit, though meticulously designed, exuded a deliberately disheveled energy, mirroring the event's "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" theme through a Gen-Z lens.

Jaden Smith turned heads at the 2017 Met Gala with a move that was as bold as it was bizarre: carrying his own shaved-off dreadlocks in his hand. The actor, who had recently cut his hair for a film role, explained the accessory with his signature philosophical flair: "Since I couldn't bring my sister as a date, I brought my old hair." The black Louis Vuitton suit was understated, but the prop—his own hair—made it unforgettable.

Doja Cat turned heads at the 2024 Met Gala with a minimalist yet provocative look: a sheer, wet, white T-shirt dress that clung to her body, creating a striking, almost liquid-like effect. The daring ensemble was a collaboration with Vetements' Guram Gvasalia, played with the theme of "Sleeping Beauties" in an unexpected way—swapping the usual opulence for raw, deconstructed glamour.

Nicki Minaj turned heads at the 2022 Met Gala with a bold, unexpected twist on the baseball cap—elevating it to high fashion. The rapper’s custom Burberry look, designed by Ricardo Tisci, featured a structured leather cap with an exaggerated crown, paired with a statement belt, leather leggings, and layers of tulle and leather. The ensemble was finished with a constellation of body jewelry, adding a touch of celestial glamour.