Placing Your Fashion Bets: How to Predict Trends at the MET Gala

The Met Gala is one of the biggest nights in fashion. With its extravagant red carpet and star-studded guest list, the annual fundraiser for the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art has become a showcase for groundbreaking looks. But with each attendee trying to outdo the last, how do you predict what trends will emerge?

Here are some tips for placing your fashion bets at the Met Gala.

Look to the Theme

The secret to predicting Met Gala styles often lies within the theme. Every year, the gala celebrates the opening of the Costume Institute’s latest exhibition with an accompanying dress code. Recent themes have ranged from camp to Catholicism, so attendees use the motif as a jumping-off point for their ensembles.

For example, Zendaya’s 2018 Versace armor gown aligned perfectly with the “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination” theme. The metallic dress with chainmail sleeves made her look like a modern-day Joan of Arc marching into battle. When the theme is strong, expect designers and stars to embrace it fully.

Spot the References

Met Gala guests also look to fashion history and pop culture for style inspiration. Costume references are common as attendees try to pay homage to iconic looks.

Kim Kardashian caused a stir at the 2022 gala when she donned Marilyn Monroe’s sparkling “Happy Birthday, Mr. President” dress from 1962. While the move divided critics, it showed Kardashian’s willingness to recreate a bombshell moment from the past.

The 2019 camp theme yielded several clever pop culture tributes as well. Jared Leto carried a replica of his own severed head, straight out of the TV show American Horror Story. And Ezra Miller turned up in a pimp-like ensemble with multiple eyes and mouths, reminiscent of the surreal comic book character Monsieur Mallah. Expect bold reinterpretations of past icons.

See Which Designers Are Dressing Who

Watching which designers dress which celebrities can also hint at the trends to come. Fashion houses compete to create the most talked-about looks for the industry’s biggest stars.

For instance, when Rihanna wore an opulent pope-inspired gown by Maison Margiela to the 2018 gala, it kicked off a slew of extravagant Met Gala outfits for the pop star. She wore larger-than-life looks by Guo Pei and John Galliano in the years after.

Similarly, after Zendaya’s show-stopping light-up Cinderella dress by Tommy Hilfiger in 2019, she continued to work with stylist Law Roach to create imaginative, high-concept outfits for the gala. Keep an eye on which designers land the top star clients each year.

Go Couture

No matter the theme, haute couture reigns supreme at the Met Gala. Attendees flock to fashion houses like Chanel, Dior, and Givenchy for one-of-a-kind creations. This trend traces back to Diana Vreeland’s inaugural Met Gala in 1948, which celebrated the museum’s newly established Costume Institute.

Billy Porter’s 2019 entrance as an Egyptian pharaoh carried by shirtless men packed the drama of high fashion. And Lady Gaga’s four-outfit strip tease in 2019 also screamed couture spectacle. Expect the foremost fashion designers to bring their A-game craftsmanship.

Watch for Showstoppers

Above all else, bold risks rule the Met Gala red carpet. In recent years, attendees have embraced showstopping styles meant to get attention. Often, the most memorable looks combine audacious silhouettes, unexpected materials, and nude illusions.

For instance, Beyoncé Knowles’ sheer, crystal-embroidered Givenchy gown in 2015 left little to the imagination. Kim Kardashian also went viral in 2023 when she wore a curve-hugging, pearl-covered white Schiaparelli dress. Leave it to the Met Gala to bring out the most naked of naked dresses.

The Future is Now

Futuristic fashion also takes center stage at the Met Gala, forecasting what could be next in style. Guests often experiment with innovative textiles, 3D-printing, and LED lights to create progressive red carpet ensembles.

Katy Perry’s 2019 LED chandelier dress by Moschino embodied the technological focus. It lit up with crystal shards and glowed like a retro Vegas showgirl. And Zendaya’s aforementioned light-up Cinderella ball gown in 2016 also awed with fiber optics. Don’t be surprised to see avant-garde materials and construction.

The Met Gala red carpet continues to deliver groundbreaking fashion. By studying the theme, designers, and past trends, you can make informed predictions about the styles to watch each year. The stars will likely bring the shock value, but at least you will know to expect the unexpected. The gala’s adventurous looks never fail to amaze. What looks do you predict we will see on the red carpet next time?