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The 2026 Met Gala promised to turn the red carpet into a high-fashion museum, but for some celebrities, the "Fashion Is Art" theme resulted in a total gallery disaster.

While the "Costume Art" exhibition celebrated innovation, these stars managed to find the fine line between avant-garde and "what were they thinking?"

Bored Panda has compiled the most polarising and panned looks that had the internet talking for all the wrong reasons.

Here are the looks that proved not all art belongs in a frame.

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#1

Sabrina Carpenter

Sabrina Carpenter

Getty/Mike Coppola Report

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    #2

    Anna Wintour

    Anna Wintour

    Anna Wintour, queen of the Met Gala, interpreted the “Costume Art” theme in a custom Chanel turquoise and black embroidered gown with a large feathery jacket.

    She kept her iconic blunt bob, heavy bangs, and oversized sunglasses.

    However, hosting didn’t shield her from online critiques. While the look remained classic Anna, many fans questioned the repetitive silhouette, with one user writing, “girl she looks like a flightless bird. delete this now."

    Another pointed out the lack of evolution in her style, adding, "She’s been wearing variations of this same silhouette for 15 years. Innovation where? Or do we just keep praising her because it’s Anna?"

    A third noted the irony of being the person in charge while "always looking chopped at your own event" wasn't lost on the crowd.

    One frustrated viewer wrote, "She's worn this in a different color before. She's so lazy and tasteless that it's actually shocking," while another simply joked that the "curse of being worst dressed guest is finally broken."


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    #3

    Sam Smith

    Sam Smith

    Sam Smith brought a dark, showstopping drama to the Met Gala, arriving as a literal work of art on the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art to highlight the event’s art-centric theme.

    To match the dress code, Sam w
    ore an art-inspired black mermaid gown by partner Christian Cowan.

    The dramatic look included a fuzzy collar, winged sleeves, and a towering feathered headpiece.

    Social media users were unmoved by the theatrical outfit, with many finding the look more “spooky” than “stunning.”

    One viewer ruthlessly commented, "Sam Smith really paid six figures to show up looking like a budget Grim Reaper in that dusty black robe? Met Gala theme said 'fashion is art' and he brought 'funeral director on clearance.'"

    The criticism only intensified as the night went on, with another fan bluntly writing, "Well? Unarrive him," while a third critic lamented, "Every time I see this man he always finds a way to look worse."


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    #4

    Heidi Klum

    Heidi Klum

    A person in a flowing, statue-like white gown and veiled face, among the worst dressed stars at Met Gala 2026.

    Getty/Mike Coppola Report

    #5

    Lisa

    Lisa

    Lisa made a surrealist splash at the 2026 Met Gala in an avant-garde custom Robert Win creation that, in line with the 'Costume Art' theme, featured 3D-printed arms modeled after her own to hold up a shimmering sheer veil.

    While the host committee member certainly committed to the “Costume Art” theme, the bridal-adjacent aesthetic led confused fans to ask, “Is she getting married?? Did she get the memo?"

    Another compared the veil to a "mosquito net or something."


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    #6

    Serena Williams

    Serena Williams

    Getty/Mike Coppola Report

    #7

    Katy Perry

    Katy Perry

    Perry took her E.T. persona to new heights at the Met Gala, arriving in a look that was truly out of this world.

    Embracing the theme, the 41-year-old singer donned a white, strapless Stella McCartney gown paired with elbow-length gloves and a long, dramatic train.

    However, she remained almost unrecognizable under a white and silver astronaut-inspired helmet mask, a nod to her real-life space travels with Blue Origin last year.

    The internet’s reaction to her lunar-chic ensemble was less than stellar, with many questioning if the “Costume Art” theme had gone too far.

    One commenter bluntly asked, "Is she coming from Space?" while another lamented the departure from traditional elegance, wondering if the event had "officially lost the plot".

    The confusion continued with fans asking, "I’m sorry but what about this gives art?" and urging the singer to make a quick change, noting, "Katy it’s not late to change this".


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    #8

    Cara Delevingne

    Cara Delevingne

    Before heading off on her new music tour, Delevingne made a pit stop at the 2026 Met Gala to take the sheer-dress trend to a daring new level.

    She wore a sleeveless high-neck velvet gown, modest in front but featuring a dramatic “b*tt-crack illusion” in the back.

    Intricate beadwork snaked down a sheer mesh panel, showing a glimpse of skin, paired with a dark goth-glam look and tight hair knot.

    Despite the intricate beading, social media reactions showed skepticism about the artistic merit of the sheer panels.

    Critics quickly flooded social media to point out a lack of connection to the event’s art-inspired dress code, with one commenter flatly saying, "Where is the fashion? Where's the Artttttt?" and another agreeing that she "Didn't get the memo regarding the theme."

    While bold in its exposure, many found the gown lacked impact for fashion’s biggest night. One viewer called it a “bold interpretation of absolutely nothing.”

    Others simply said, "Nothing is serving" and "The dress is boring."


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    #9

    Lena Dunham

    Lena Dunham

    Returning for the first time since 2019, Lena Dunham dove into the “Custom Art” theme as a host committee member.

    She wore a showgirl-inspired Valentino gown with a high neckline and a thigh-high slit.

    The dress, covered in sequins, featured dramatic red feathers up to her chin.

    The internet, however, was not exactly tickled by the feathered look.

    Critics quickly called the look more “bizarre” than “artistic,” with one observer asking, "Did she cut open a bird, eat the insides, and wear its skin?"

    The overwhelming volume of the feathers made for a polarizing visual, leading another fan to admit, "I was suffocating looking at that."

    One more user bluntly added, "Someone should have pulled her aside and told her the truth. She looks ridiculous."


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    #10

    Olivia Wilde

    Olivia Wilde

    Wilde attempted to elevate the little black dress at the 2026 Met Gala, arriving in a custom Thom Browne column gown featuring a deconstructed leather cage and tufts of white tulle, a creative interpretation of the night's 'Costume Art' prompt.

    While the front was minimal chic, the rear silhouette left fans baffled by the structural surprise.

    The internet criticized the experimental bustle, with one observer asking, "Is that a horse halter? That is not where that goes."

    The burst of white tulle at the back prompted the pointed comment that she "looks like a bride is stuck in the back of her dress."


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    #11

    Luke Evans

    Luke Evans

    Evans arrived at the 2026 Met Gala in a studded, all-leather ensemble inspired by the artwork of Tom of Finland, a bold pivot from his current Broadway role in The Rocky Horror Show.

    Though the look was intended as a “Costume Art” tribute, many online felt the leather cap and biker silhouette resulted in confusion, asking, “What is he supposed to be? A sailor?”

    Another described the look as “creepy,” while a third called it “low budget officer.”

    Getty/Kevin Mazur/MG26 Report

    #12

    Sarah Paulson

    Sarah Paulson

    Sarah Paulson in a voluminous grey tulle gown with white gloves and a dollar bill over her eyes.

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    #13

    Ben Platt

    Ben Platt

    Platt chose a very literal path for the 2026 Met Gala theme, by wearing the art itself.

    The actor donned a custom Tanner Fletcher suit that required over 120 hours of meticulous hand-painting, beading, and embroidery on silk wool.

    The design is a direct homage to George Seurat’s pointillist masterpiece, A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte.

    However, the attire didn’t sit well with the critics, with one wiring, "Everything about this guy is screaming stupid," while another compared the aesthetic to a "3rd grader’s art project".

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    #14

    Charli XCX

    Charli XCX

    Charli XCX brought her “cool girl” style to the Met Gala in a custom Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello.

    The singer opted for a sheer black strapless gown with a shimmering, translucent floral embellishment snaking up the bodice, a choice that felt like a subtle nod to the garden-inspired setting, despite the broader 'Fashion is Art' theme.

    She styled her hair in a sleek ponytail and wore dramatic silver earrings.

    However, the theme proved challenging for the pop star in the eyes of the public. Many fans felt the gown was too understated for fashion’s biggest night, with one critic stating, "She should have stayed at home, ain't no art in this fashion."

    Others were confused by the simplicity of the silhouette, with one user snarkily asking, "She's attending Met? Or her Daughter's school meeting?" while another simply concluded that "She flopped so so bad."

    The frustration centered mostly on the lack of avant-garde effort that the 'Fashion is Art' theme seemed to invite, as one commenter lamented, "How hard is it to follow the theme? They have months to prepare their outfit."

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    #15

    Naomi Osaka

    Naomi Osaka

    Tennis legend Osaka traded the court for the theater a the 2026 Met Gala, delivering a high-stakes interpretation of the “Fashion Is Art” theme.

    The 28-year-old made a dramatic entrance in a strking white Robert Wun Couture ensemble that rendered her nearly unrecognizable.

    The look featured a massive sculptural coat dress with architectural shoulders and a trailing ape, all studded with wispy red feathers.

    She topped off the avant-garde silhouette with a matching oversized headpiece by London milliner Awon Golding, ensuring all eyes were on her.

    However, the internet were quick to call a fault on the structural design.

    While the exhibition celebrated the theme, many fans found the dress more confusing.

    One user wrote, "These dresses don’t make sense,” while another said, "Was she trying to be the painted lady from avatar the last air bender or what".


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    #16

    Lauren Wasser

    Lauren Wasser

    Model Wasser arrived at the 2026 Met Gala looking like she was ready to host a very expensive, gold-themed pajama party.

    Stepping onto the red carpet in a Prabal Gurung suit, Wasser leaned into a “gold on gold” aesthetic that included an open blazer, knee-length shorts, and a matching bandana wrapped around her platinum hair.

    While the look featured her signature gold prosthetic legs, the rest of the ensemble felt more leisurewear.

    The internet’s reaction was about as cold as the silver necklaces she was wearing.

    Despite her status as a fashion trailblazer, viewers felt the golden suit wa s low-effort choice.

    One commenter ruthlessly noted, "Some people do everything in their power to not make any effort," while another fan succinctly added, "The outfit isn't giving."

    A third added, “You can watch from home instead of showing up."

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    #17

    Colman Domingo

    Colman Domingo

    Domingo arrived at the 2026 Met Gala decked out in high-jewelry ambition, debuting gold and onyx pieces from Boucheron’s unseen “Serpent Boheme” collection alongside a colorful Valentino two-piece, his harlequin-patterned look serving as a vibrant, perhaps over-literal, nod to the 'Costume Art' theme.

    While his jewelry game was praised, others felt his harlequin-patterned top took the theme too literally.

    One critic joked he “looks like my grandma quilt,” while another said his fashion choice felt like “scraping from the bottom of the barrel.”

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    #18

    Teyana Taylor

    Teyana Taylor

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    #20

    Jen Rubio

    Jen Rubio

    Away co-founder Jen Rubio set aside travel gear for high-concept “Costume Art” at the Met Gala, to mixed reviews.

    She wore a wood-grain corset with a 3D-sculpted lizard or monkey up her chest, paired with a voluminous ivory skirt and a green statement necklace.

    The skirt bunched at the waist and was finished with a green statement necklace.

    The look immediately drew unfavorable comparisons to Taylor Russell’s iconic 2024 wood-printed Loewe corset, with fans accusing Rubio of trying too hard to capture lightning in a bottle twice.

    Social media didn’t hold back, with one user calling the outfit a “total mess.”

    Another pointed out the lack of originality, commenting, "Everybody wanna be Taylor Russell," while a third critic simply dismissed the entire construction as being "Totally messy."

    Getty/Jamie McCarthy Report

    #21

    Janelle Monáe

    Janelle Monáe

    Monáe transformed into a high-tech ecosystem at the 2026 Met Gala, wearing a custom Christian Siriano creation that redefined upcycled theatre in response to the event’s 'Fashion Is Art' theme.

    The ensemble was a chaotic collage of green moss, 3D butterflies, and a massive tangle of braided wires, making it nearly impossible for her to move.

    While it fit the “Fashion Is Art” prompt, the internet had a field day with the tech-heavy aesthetic.

    One review likened it to “leftover vegetables no one wanted to eat.”

    Others were distracted by the literal hardware, joking that it looked like she "got eaten by her computer" or was simply walking around with "every mobile charger" anyone could possibly need.

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    #23

    Jordan Rose Walton

    Jordan Rose Walton

    Rose Walton arrived at the 2026 Met Gala in a complex, multi-texture ensemble that certainly pushed the boundaries of the theme.

    The look featured a heavily embellished, lattice-patterned bodice atop a bright orange tulle peplum.

    Below the waist, the dress transitioned into a black lace skirt that culminated in a massive, fuzzy sphere at her feet.

    The internet’s reaction was swift as one observe bluntly wrote, "What the h**l is that thing?" while another ruthlessly labeled the aesthetic as "Absolute goblin."

    The confusion only mounted as critics noted her confident posing, with one commenter snarkily adding, "And she thinks it looks good."

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    #24

    Nichapat Suphap

    Nichapat Suphap

    Suphap took a very hands-on approach to the 2026 Met Gala, arriving in a black gown that looked like it was trying to escape from a high-fashion robot.

    The dress featured a long-sleeved, figure-hugging silhouette that exploded into a massive ruffled skirt at the knees.

    But the real talking point was the collection of metallic silver hands emerging from the bodice and hips, that felt like she was being gently kidnapped by a group of invisible chrome statues.

    The internet’s reaction was immediate and slightly terrified.

    While the theme was “Fashion Is Art,” many viewers found the sculptural elements to be more unsettling than aesthetic.

    One critic didn't mince words, commenting, "Girl, what a mess let's run back home," while another fan was left genuinely unsettled by the metallic grip, simply stating, "That looks so creepy."


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    #25

    Gwendoline Christie

    Gwendoline Christie

    Christie took the 2026 Met Gala’s "Fashion Is Art" dress code literally, arriving as a high-fashion embodiment of art-meets-spectacle.

    As a host committee member, she wore a red Giles Deacon gown resembling a glamorous car wash explosion, topped with a huge feather headpiece.

    The real art, however, was the mirror-mask of her own face, which she carried around like a shield to ward off anyone who dared to ask for a selfie.

    The internet was deeply unsettled by the doppelgänger accessory. One viewer perfectly summarized the vibe by stating, "That outfit is giving haunted dollhouse realness".

    Another user commented, "Idk if her face or the mask is creepier".

    A third wrote, “Looks like she purchased this from a local mall".


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    #26

    Rachel Zegler

    Rachel Zegler

    Getty/Jamie McCarthy Report

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