Best and Worst Dressed at the 2026 Met Gala

The Met Gala red carpet is not your regular red carpet; the exhibit is inside, but the show is outside. Arguably the most entertaining, and unforgiving, runway in the world, forget about the Grammys or even MTV Music Awards at its peak. This is where fashion goes full fantasy, sometimes genius, sometimes completely unhinged. Katy Perry as a chandelier still feels surreal, Jared Leto as Choupette veered into full Cats territory. That tension is the magic.

And then there are the moments that land with absolute clarity. Beyoncé redefining the naked dress with intention, Princess Diana in Dior by John Galliano, effortless and eternal. Rihanna has arguably mastered this carpet, using it to position herself as fashion royalty season after season. That is the power of these steps.

From The Mark Hotel to The Carlyle, New York turns into a procession, and the world watches instantly. This year’s Costume Art, with the directive Fashion Is Art, sets the stage for everything from extreme costume to impeccable couture. The hits commit. The misses can be even more memorable. At the Met, that is the name of the game. Here are some of the best, and few wild ones, please enjoy.