Ashley Graham Could've Avoided The 2026 Met Gala Worst-Dressed List If One Detail Were Different
With the 2026 Met Gala behind us, some looks have left a lasting impact. Stars like Emma Chamberlain and Janelle Monáe were among the celebs who nailed the 2026 Met Gala theme and looked like walking art, and we have no doubt that their fashion choices will be praised for years. Unfortunately, with the dress code "Fashion Is Art," many failed to deliver. And among the worst-dressed celebs at the 2026 Met Gala was model Ashley Graham.
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The Sports Illustrated star showed up to the annual fashion event in a beige gown designed by Dimitra Petsa of the high-end brand Di Petsa. The dress was "a reimagining of the Serpent Skin dress from the Medusa's Lovers collection," according to a post that Graham shared on Instagram. Unfortunately, the texture combined with the bland color wasn't the best choice. Had Graham's gown been in a more eye-catching shade — perhaps a combo of green and silver — the garment would still have been on-theme, while leaving a more lasting impact. Paired with Graham's fingertips dipped in silver, the look would undeniably have been a riskier choice, nevertheless, one that we believe would have paid off.
While Graham's dress could have ranked better in comparison to the other dresses we saw that night, we can't deny the intricate craftsmanship that went into it. In fact, the model had to be sewn into the gown to ensure that it fit her perfectly. The delicate mesh fabric moved ever so slightly with every move she made, accentuating the model's curves.
Ashley Graham has served us some incredibly bold Met Gala looks over the years
The 2026 Met Gala wasn't Ashley Graham's first attempt at nailing a theme for the prestigious fashion event. In fact, the model attended the event several times before, and we have to admit that the looks she rocked the previous three years were far more avant-garde and daring than her 2026 attire.
In 2025, Graham showed up in a structured gray pinstriped dress by the brand BOSS, a look that could have done with slightly better tailoring (especially around her shoulders), but it was a daring approach to the night's dress code, "Tailored For You." In 2024, she walked the red carpet of the Met Gala in a breathtaking sheer black dress by Ludovic de Saint Sernin. The garment worked well for the theme "Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion," and we particularly fawned over the delicate, sparkly see-through material paired with the edgy leather bits. The look was fun, and very Met Gala-appropriate, and it might just be Graham's best take on fashion for the annual event. In 2023, Graham showed up at the gala in a pink and black design by Harris Reed, a look that, just like her 2024 attire, left barely any crumbs. The theme for that night was "Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty," and we have no doubt that the late designer would have approved of Graham's take on it.
Compared to her previous Met Gala fashion moments, there is no denying that Graham's 2026 look needed more color — whether one daring shade or a mix of more. However, we have no doubt that Graham's detour into boring fashion won't last, and we're hopeful to eventually see her rock more memorable Met Gala looks that enter the fashion hall of fame.