Bringing Black fashion to the limelight, the 2025 Met Gala was nothing short of dandy.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art was tailored for the most extravagant fundraiser in fashion Monday. This year’s theme, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” celebrated the evolution of Black identities, honing in on storytelling and the importance of clothing.

Read on for the Daily Bruin Arts columnists’ picks for the finest looks of the night.

Lewis Hamilton

Cracking the formula, Lewis Hamilton sped past the finest looks.

Well-versed with competition, the Formula 1 driver and one of the gala’s co-chairs caught up to speed, sporting a custom Wales Bonner tuxedo for the event. The look, finely tailored to his silhouette and characterized by a blinding ivory fabric, highlighted the true essence of dandyism. From the cropped jacket to the sash ornamented with cowrie shells, Hamilton’s look drew inspiration from the likes of iconic Black figures such as Cab Calloway. Adorned from head to toe in symbolic accessories, Hamilton’s ensemble was paired with his birthstone, garnet, alongside cuff links that resemble the Whirligig African Daisy. To polish the look, Hamilton wore a beret of the same ivory fabric, emphasized with a golden brooch, echoing the other gold jewelry on his ensemble

Looking past the glitz and glam, Hamilton’s look played a crucial role as one of the only outfits that moved beyond a concept and executed the demand of the theme. Through weaving in their perception of Black heritage and culture, stylist Eric McNeal, designer Grace Wales Bonner and Hamilton cultivated an ensemble that lived beyond the carpet, telling years of history and stories.

When discussing the best looks of the night, Lewis Hamilton comes in first place.

– Eric Sican

Laura Harrier

Angelic and classy, Laura Harrier was a buttercream dream at Monday’s Met Gala.

No stranger to the prestigious fundraiser, the model and “Spider-Man: Homecoming” actress put other attendees to shame in a custom Zac Posen look. The breathtaking design featured a cream-colored vest, perfectly sculpted to Harrier’s figure with a deep neckline and golden buttons. Beneath it, her arms peeked through sheer white sleeves that majestically billowed below her elbows. The luxurious silhouette was completed with Harrier’s high-waisted satin pants, which were so oversized they resembled a ballgown at first glance. To accessorize, the model adorned her open neck with an elegant pearl choker and let her loose curls gracefully frame her face.

Beyond its visual beauty, Harrier’s look also commanded the carpet with keen manifestation of the gala’s theme, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style.” Posen, who designed the outfit in Gap’s GapStudio, drew inspiration from real archival images of Harrier’s father and grandfather to fully embrace the culture of Black dandyism. By playing up the femininity in historic menswear, Posen impeccably paid homage to Black men’s fashion while modernizing the boundaries of gender expression.

It might not be a competition, but Harrier undoubtedly won the night in her “Monday best.”

– Victoria Munck

Lupita Nyong’o

Lupita Nyong’o remains unparalleled at taking a monochromatic look and transforming it into an unforgettable fashion moment.

The Oscar-winning actress has long owned the red carpet in statement-making singular colors, as she has done so effortlessly in designs such as the pale blue Prada gown she wore to the 2014 Academy Awards or the coral Prada dress she donned for the 2017 Met Gala. Clad this year in an impeccably tailored Chanel suit, Nyong’o added another monochromatic masterpiece to her repertoire by elevating an ensemble in a soft shade somewhere between powder blue, pastel green and aquamarine.

Even with only one hue, Nyong’o’s look managed to capture a powerful, sophisticated duality between masculinity and femininity that was solely missing from comparably extravagant Met Gala attire. In particular, the diaphanous cape gave Nyong’o’s garb an ethereal, romantic quality, floating around her like a gently rippling wave as she ascended the carpet’s staircase. The combination of the assertive double-breasted suit, playful top hat and complimentary diamond jewelry brought the chic factor, but the smaller details of Nyong’o’s outfit were not to be missed. The bejeweled detailing on her eyebrows and her matching turquoise nail polish demonstrated refinement and meticulousness, while giving the one-tone look alluring depth.

At a Met Gala dedicated to celebrating dandyism, Nyong’o’s transcendent clothes were the dandiest of all.

– Reid Sperisen

Teyana Taylor

Teyana Taylor has tailored her best look yet.

One of the first to grace the 2025 Met Gala carpet, Taylor set the bar high for the night ahead. This year’s theme, “Superfine: Black Tailoring” honored the legacy of Black dandyism – a cultural and sartorial movement rooted in reclaiming Western fashion as a form of self expression, resistance and pride. Think jeweled brooches, vibrant fabrics, flamboyant hats, sharp tailoring and polished shoes – Taylor embodied every detail.

Dressed by two-time Oscar-winning costume designer Ruth E. Carter, the singer-songwriter and actress channeled the spirit of icons like Dapper Dan with seamless elegance. Her look featured Yurman chains, custom Marc Jacobs platform heels, red leather gloves, a burgundy fedora crowned with a matching feather, a scepter in hand and a sweeping burgundy cape. Anchoring the look was a sharply tailored frock coat and velvet waistcoat – a full three piece zoot suit reimagined with flair.

With every stitch, Teyana Taylor didn’t just dress for the theme, she defined it.

– Natalie Ralston

Tems

Dressed to the nines, Tems brought West African fashion to the Met Gala’s center stage.

The Nigerian singer-songwriter is hot off the heels of a Grammy win earlier this year, and showed up to her second Met Gala wearing a stylish blue dress with pinstripe sleeves and a sleek green accent bow. She rocked a classy braided updo and topped it off with a luxurious blue bow, in the same shade of peacock blue as her dress. Tems even matched her nails and makeup to her wardrobe, as she sported green nails and eyeshadow to match the accent pieces on her dress. She came equipped with a beautiful green umbrella, complementing her accessories and front bow.

But what stood out about Tems’s look was her adherence to this year’s theme. Tems was dressed by British-Ghanaian designer Ozwald Boateng, who focused on incorporating the more formal aspects that dandyism is known for into the details of Tems’s gown — her blue bow, for example, was made up of a multitude of silk ties. He also drew inspiration from African fashion styles, adding an American twist to the fabrics and dress shape that Tems sported. Together, the two of them added a unique African and feminine spin on the classiness of the iconic Black dandy look.

Tems truly tailored Black style to her liking to create one of the best looks of the night.

– Vishnu Potharaju