The Most Shocking Met Gala Outfits Over The Years

1. Katy Perry, 2019

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The theme of "Camp: Notes on Fashion" in 2019 was arguably the silliest of them all. But the outfit Katy Perry wore, created by Jeremy Scott, included a 3D chandelier that even lit up, and garnered headlines. We could see the light bulbs flickering inside everyone's heads!

2. Rihanna, 2015

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Rihanna's Guo Pei confection from 2015 divided fans and shocked first-hand viewers. The off-the-shoulder fur-trimmed robe had a huge filigree-embroidered train that inspired a ton of memes and was compared to everything from Big Bird to a pizza to an omelet.

3. Kendall Jenner, 2017

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The theme of the 2017 Met exhibition, Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons: Art of the In-Between, honored the avant-garde. Kendall Jenner's completely transparent Le Perla outfit left nothing to the imagination, though. Fans and people worldwide kept talking about her dress months after the gala.

4. Liv Tyler and Stella McCartney, 1999

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There aren't many T-shirt looks at the Met Gala, but these DIY tops, which Stella McCartney revealed to Vogue that were made from Hanes tanks on the morning of the fashionable party, were kinda ideal for the event's "Rock Style" theme. Or not.

5. Sarah Jessica Parker, 2006

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Alexander McQueen and Sarah Jessica Parker attended the 2006 Met Gala together. The two donned matching tartan designs to honor the year's exhibit topic, "AngloMania: Tradition and Transgression in British Fashion." Their matching outfits were pretty wild if you ask us!

6. Jared Leto, 2023

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Jared Leto, who is known for his spectacular Met Gala attires year after year, went above and beyond with the 2023 theme by dressing as Karl Lagerfeld's cat Choupette. The theme was (you guessed it!) Karl Lagerfeld. We assure you, you're seeing the Met Gala, not a season of The Masked Singer!

7. Kim Kardashian, 2013

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Kim Kardashian was the focal point of attention (and jokes) at the 2013 Met Gala. Kanye West's ex-wife wore a Givenchy gown to the "PUNK: Chaos to Couture"-themed event that many said resembled a floral couch, grandma's curtains, Homer Simpson's muumuu, and even "Mrs. Doubtfire."

8. Cara Delevingne, 2018

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You might not be able to tell this is Cara Delevingne. Trust us, it's her. The famed supermodel and actress was wearing a black outfit at the 2018 Gala that left very little to the imagination. In fact, it appears that she only left one thing to be guessed... her face.

9. Lil X Nas, 2023

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We already know that the rapper Lil Nas X has some of the most shocking outfits at the Met Gala and almost any other event he attends. This time, he transformed himself into Karl Lagerfeld's cat Choupette at the 2023 Met Gala, showing off his physique… like it is, without hesitation.

10. Cher, 1974

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At the "Romantic and Glamorous Hollywood Design" Met Gala in 1974, Cher set the bar for future red carpet fashion by becoming one of the first to flaunt her bare dress. The singer's nearly-nude Bob Mackie gown, which had a white feathery skirt and sleeves and was embellished with sequins, served as an inspiration for countless other styles in the decades that followed.

11. Solange, 2015

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This outfit by Solange Knowles at the 2015 Met Gala both amazed and perplexed fashion enthusiasts! The singer and performer chose one of the night's most iconic outfits, a Giles design with an extraterrestrial geometric pattern on its spherical outline. People thought the outfit was kinda confusing. What do you think?

12. Madonna, 2016

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Always one to push the boundaries, Madonna described her age-fighting Givenchy ensemble at the 2016 Met Gala as a political statement for women's rights. The singer argued on her Instagram later on that we still live in a time where people consider that women are not allowed to be adventurous, and this means we're yet to escape an ageist and sexist world.

13. Karolina Kurkova, 2005

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Karolina Kurkova's "I Love You"-emblazoned Viktor & Rolf gown from the 2005 Met Gala's "20th Century: Chanel"-themed night grabbed the attention of fashion reviewers all around the world, but not their hearts. The gown was deemed as kitch by many as a result.

14. Fredrik Robertsson, 2022

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The Swedish influencer, who some fans at the 2022 Met Gala event mistook for Jared Leto, grabbed all the attention with his eye-catching three-dimensional Iris van Herpen costume embellished with pin-like embellishments. The outfit looks pretty shocking, indeed.

15. Marc Jacobs, 2012

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Marc Jacobs attended the 2012 Met Gala wearing a see-through black lace shirtdress that revealed his white boxers, suggesting that men can wear naked dresses too. This was one of the few occasions a male has ventured to wear the nude dress look on the red carpet, and he absolutely shocked the world with it.

16. Amber Valletta, 2004

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Supermodel Amber Valletta came up in full Marie Antoinette cosplay, courtesy of John Galliano, taking the 2004 topic of "Dangerous Liaisons: Fashion and Furniture in the 18th Century" more seriously than anyone else. As Valletta later said, she was so badass to go for the outfit, especially during a time when people weren't used to seeing shocking outfits all day every day.

17. Jaden Smith, 2017

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Jaden Smith's 2017 Met Gala outfit, an all-black Louis Vuitton combination consisting of a trench coat, slim pants, and stiletto boots, didn't first strike as particularly shocking. But after getting a better look at what he held in his hand, it's clear that Jaden tops the list of people wearing the most bizarre accessories ever! He took his recently-cut hair and flaunted it on the carpet. So yes, that is his old hair.

18. Beyoncé, 2015

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Beyoncé has a history of stealing the show on the red carpet, so it came as no surprise when she arrived at the 2015 Met Gala wearing a garment covered with crystalized beading. She completed the appearance with the kind of furious side ponytail that she herself could only wear.

19. Julie Macklowe, 2017

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At the Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons-themed Met Gala event (which, you already know, was full of shocking attires), Julie Macklowe opted for a striking plaid look. The exact location of her arms in this dramatic and kinda weird outfit is still a mystery.

20. Lady Gaga, 2016

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The singer arrived at the "Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology"-themed party without pants, keeping up with her signature look. The highest platform boots to ever grace the red carpet were the ideal accompaniment to her futuristic bodysuit and blazer.

21. Shailene Woodley, 2018

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Shailene Woodley wasn't the only person trying to channel Joan of Arc on the red carpet at the 2018 Met Gala, but her imitation was the worst. The celebrity wore a Ralph Lauren creation that apparently took more than 50 hours to make and had an over-the-knee boot-style bootie and a metallic leather mini dress designed to resemble the icon's armor. This outfit, coupled with her peculiar hairdo, put Shailene on several lists of worst-dressed people.

22. Helen Lasichanh, 2017

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We all know that the exhibition's theme in 2017 awarded us with the weirdest outfits ever worn at Met Gala. Helen Lasichanh, Pharrell Williams' wife, made a statement with her on-theme outfit. Still, the peculiar Comme des Garçons combination, which included a structured bright red jumpsuit combined with black open-toe flats, baffled even the fashion-forward throng.

23. Gwyneth Paltrow, 2012

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At the 2012 Met Gala, Gwyneth Paltrow took a significant fashion risk by wearing a shockingly short Prada halter dress. The Oscar winner displayed a bit of side boob (besides flashing her stems) in the backless silver dress that appeared more like an apron than couture.

24. Katy Perry, 2019

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The "Firework" singer has never worn a goofy outfit she didn't adore, and the Moschino fit with its chandelier-inspired design lit up the red carpet. However, once she was inside the museum, she cosplayed a cheeseburger in a second ridiculous attire. Talk about dramatic outfit changes!

25. Blake Lively, 2011

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The actress donned a sparkling, buff Chanel dress with Renaissance and classical influences. However, at first glance, it appeared as though her dress was about to come off of her. Moreover, her reddish hair looked kinda weird against the neutral nuance of the outfit. We can only guess that there were no “Find your color” experts back then.

26. Kim Kardashian, 2021

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The Keeping Up With the Kardashians star stunned the globe with her frightening faceless all-black suit for her red carpet arrival at the 2021 Met Gala. Demna Gvasalia, the creative director of Balenciaga, created the unique ensemble, but it turns out that Kim couldn't see through the fabric of her clothing. In case you were wondering how it was possible for her to walk like that.

27. Claire Danes, 2017

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The 2016 Met Gala saw Claire Danes enter in a pale blue ball gown befitting of a modern Disney princess. The Homeland actress' Zac Posen creation actually had tens of thousands of hand-sewn L.E.D. lights that lit up the dance floor. This fact alone made some people comment on the outfit.

28. Rihanna and ASAP Rocky, 2021

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Rihanna Navy went into a frenzy when the star graced the red carpet of the 2021 Met Gala with boyfriend A$AP Rocky. The singer always tops lists for her groundbreaking outfits, either outstanding or shocking. The two were meant to enter as one of the evening's final couples because they almost closed the carpet with their arrival.

29. Miley Cyrus, 2013

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While in her rebellious phrase that disturbed the globe, Miley Cyrus wore a long-sleeved Marc Jacobs gown that was actually entirely in line with the Met Gala's "PUNK: Chaos to Couture" theme. The spiked blonde hair that shocked the fans completed the outfit.

30. Emma Watson, 2016

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Watson sported a Calvin Klein skirt, fitting bodice, and slacks for the "Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology" gala, but with a twist: Her entire outfit was created from repurposed plastic water bottles. However, out of the whole attire, the pants were the topic of the conversation.