Worst Outfits In Met Gala History (They Can't All Be Winners)

Each year's Met Gala brings together the crème de la crème of the fashion, entertainment, and art worlds. Hosted by the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute in New York City, this star-studded affair serves as a fundraising benefit and a platform for attendees to showcase their fashion status. However, not every celebrity hits the mark with their outfit choices, and some end up on the wrong side of the fashion spectrum.

Throughout the years, the Met Gala has seen its fair share of unforgettable looks that perfectly embody the event's various themes. Still, amidst the glitz and glamour, there have also been plenty of outfits that failed to capture the essence of the night, leaving fashion enthusiasts and critics in a state of disbelief. Now, sit down, take a sip of water, and allow us to take you on a journey through some of the worst outfits in Met Gala history, delving into the questionable choices made by celebrities over the years.

While the Met Gala continues to be a spectacle of breathtaking fashion statements, these outfits serve as a reminder that even the most iconic individuals can have off days on the red carpet. And, yes, you should keep that glass of water nearby — you might need it after seeing these looks.

While Scarlett Johansson's ensemble at the 2008 Met Gala wasn't bad per se, it still missed the mark. Wearing a gown designed by Dolce & Gabbana, the actor looked stunning but failed to capture the essence of the night's theme, "Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy." The look definitely lacked the wow factor and excitement that one would expect from a Met Gala outfit. Johansson played it safe, bordering on the side of bland and boring, which is even more noticeable in the sea of extravagant and imaginative looks we always see.

Jessica Alba wore a bedazzled blue Jason Wu dress for the 2009 Met Gala, and while her ensemble perfectly captured the fashion choices of the early aughts, it left little room for surprise. The Met Gala is an event where celebrities are expected to think outside of the box and push fashion boundaries — and Alba's look, while undeniably stylish, didn't quite capture the experimental spirit of the night.

Shailene Woodley has never been one to shy away from fashion risks, but at the 2018 Met Gala, she embraced her inner Joan of Arc with an ensemble that left us confused. The actor arrived at the event channeling a fighter-like persona in a custom Ralph Lauren dress that resembled armor. The look, which pays tribute to Joan of Arc, seemed more suited for a medieval reenactment than a high-profile fashion event. 

Hollywood star Lupita Nyong'o is known for her impeccable sense of style, but the actor encountered a fashion miss at the 2014 Met Gala. The flapper-inspired Prada dress she wore failed to impress, namely because it seemed to have been an odd fit. However, credit must be given to Nyong'o for daring to take a bold fashion risk, as embracing uniqueness and pushing boundaries should always be applauded.

Tennis icon Serena Williams made an appearance at the Met Gala 2023 alongside her husband, Alexis Ohanian. As the couple walked the red carpet, all eyes were on Williams' ensemble, which unfortunately missed the mark. Opting for a Gucci creation, Williams aimed to accentuate her pregnancy announcement with her ensemble, but the combination of various elements on her dress created a rather chaotic look.

Sarah Jessica Parker, widely recognized as a style icon, left fans disappointed with her 2022 Met Gala look. The renowned "Sex and the City" actor, known for her iconic fashion choices, collaborated with designer Christopher John Rogers for the event. While the gown itself exuded an edgy and cool vibe, the attention-grabbing element of her look turned out to be a sculptural headpiece that overshadowed the overall impact. Unfortunately, the headpiece distracted from the otherwise noteworthy gown making her overall look fall short.

Florence Pugh made her debut on the red carpet with a brave new buzz cut — one of the few daring hair transformations at the 2023 Met Gala. However, while the actor's haircut impressed, the accompanying dramatic headpiece left mixed impressions. The Valentino look failed to capture the essence of the night's theme, which was a dedication to designer Karl Lagerfeld. While some appreciated the avant-garde approach, others felt that the headpiece didn't align with Lagerfeld's iconic style. Nonetheless, Pugh's boldness and experimentation should be acknowledged, even if it missed the mark.

Elizabeth Banks arrived at the 2015 Met Gala wearing a Michael Kors cutout gown. While the blue color suited her perfectly and the cutouts added a trendy touch, everyone anticipated something more extraordinary from the actor, given that she played the eclectic character Effie Trinket in "The Hunger Games" series. Not only did the ensemble fail to align with the gala's theme, but it also lacked the element of drama that the Met Gala is known for.

Amy Schumer's choice of attire for the 2016 Met Gala left many scratching their heads. The comedian opted for an Alexander Wang gown in a bright coral color which she paired with super heavy eye makeup. Now don't get us wrong — the look in itself isn't horrible, but we just can't draw any connection to the night's technology-driven theme. 

Kristen Stewart's appearance at the 2010 Met Gala as the representative of Chanel left many fashion enthusiasts divided. While the dress itself exuded a certain haute couture allure, a lot of us felt that Stewart didn't look comfortable in such a boring and predictable ensemble. Stewart has certainly found a more authentic fashion style in recent years, which is why these days, it's hard to imagine the actor rocking something that makes her look uncomfortable.

Zendaya's appearance at the 2019 Met Gala was nothing short of a fairytale come to life. With her stylist, Law Roach, by her side (who played the role of the Fairy Godmother), Zendaya graced the red carpet in a perfect Cinderella gown custom-made by Tommy Hilfiger. While the look was undeniably stunning, some would argue it leaned more toward a costume than a high-fashion creation for the prestigious fashion event.

If there's one star we can count on to give us a major red carpet moment, it's definitely Jared Leto. The actor is no stranger to super bold choices, and at the 2023 Met Gala, Leto dressed up as Choupette, the late Karl Lagerfeld's beloved cat. Even though the look — which was actually designed by the production studio SCPS — was impressive, some may argue that it leaned more towards being a silly costume rather than a fashion statement. 

Lily Collins appeared at the 2023 Met Gala in a custom black and ivory Vera Wang gown. However, the silver "KARL" embroidery at the hemline, which paid homage to the late designer to whom the 2023 Met Gala was dedicated, raised some eyebrows. While the gown looked stunning, the inclusion of Kark Lagerfeld's name in such a prominent and overt manner felt slightly tacky and contradictory to the refined and sophisticated style that Lagerfeld was known for.

At the 2023 Met Gala, many had high expectations for Cara Delevingne since she had a "special friendship" with Karl Lagerfeld, according to L'Officiel. While the model's outfit — designed by the famous designer himself prior to his passing — technically was on theme, something about it was off. The addition of thigh-high leg warmers and strappy heels was controversial, as it failed to harmonize with the rest of the look, leaving a mismatched impression.

Pop culture style icon Sarah Jessica Parker attended the 2006 Met Gala alongside the late designer Alexander McQueen, who was responsible for her look. It's worth mentioning that she is the only star to make our list twice, as both of her looks were truly mention-worthy. While the actor's outfit successfully captured the essence of the British fashion theme, the plaid fabric draped on one side of her dress appeared unfinished, drawing mixed reactions.