Met Gala 2026: Worst Dressed Celebrities Spotted on the Red Carpet
The first Monday of May is here, and along with it came one of the fashion's most important events - the Met Gala.
With the gala becoming increasingly synonymous with the expression of art through fashion, this year's spring exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute is titled "Costume is Art." Star attendees are required to adhere to this year's dress code, probably quite befittingly named, "Fashion is Art."
As Vogue describes the theme as an ode to the correlation between fashion and art with the human body, it fell upon the designers and the stars to celebrate the sartorial craftsmanship.
While most of the attendees understood the assignment, some simply did not get the memo. Here we are, checking out some of the fits which are questionable at best, to absurd at worst, and not always in that order.
MORE: The 10 Best Looks from the 2026 Met Gala
Lisa
We so wanted to love the multi-hyphenate's ethereal white Robert Wun custom gown. It's sheer, it's embellished, it's everything - until it is not. "The White Lotus" star completed her look with a white veil held together by 3D scans of her own arms in Thai dance pose, per Vogue. However, it ended up looking robotic.
Katy Perry
Something is going on this year with hiding faces. Katy Perry is the latest, and probably the worst-affected victim of the lot. The pop artist arrived in a custom white Stella McCartney gown, complete with matching opera gloves.
But it is the opaque chromatic face mask that has our - and the world's - attention. One can hope it did not hinder Perry's vision while accessing those Met stairs.
Gigi Hadid
When Gigi Hadid turns up at a fashion event, everyone watches. It's her aura that commands everyone's attention. But this time, even Hadid's glamorous presence could not save her look in the custom Miu Miu sheer gown. Sheer is in vogue this year, but where is the creativity accompanying the same?
Sarah Paulson
Sarah Paulson got the memo at first, but then let herself get blindfolded by a dollar bill. Another masking of the eye moment, but this time it is money blinding the eyes, literally.
Carey Mulligan
Carey Mulligan decided to go retro with her 1998 Prada print column dress. It's fun, but so off-topic. Mulligan described, per Vogue, "Danielle was poring over the archives, and when she showed me that print, I was just like, that's so cool and fun." She summed it up, saying, "Prada is so good at making clothes that feel slightly ‘off' – and this is that."
Irina Shayk
Irina Shayk showed off her "vibrancy" in the tiny bra made of chokers and watches, paired with a black, low-waisted, column floor-length skirt. What's going on again?
Lena Dunham
Lena Dunham's bright red Valentino one-shoulder creation started off with a great vision, undoubtedly. However, with the red feathers veiling half her face, we can't unfortunately say the same for the execution of her “blood splattered” inspired dress.
Heidi Klum
Heidi Klum seldom disappoints her fans with her creative choices. Klum's statuesque ensemble, however, looks inspired by the theme - just a little too much.
Lauren Sánchez
Don't get me wrong, I love the blue gown worn by Jeff Bezos' wife. But the low-cut figure-hugging blue Schiaparelli is not giving the Met Gala. It could be any other day for the award-winning journalist sauntering with her billionaire husband, and we can't say apart.
Black tuxedos
Black tuxedos need to have a moment of their own. With the men looking so good in their black tuxedos (and sometimes blue - take a bow, Joe Burrow), it was a difficult decision to make this call. Well-fitted black tuxes are all fashion, but no art, unfortunately.
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This story was originally published May 4, 2026 at 10:40 PM.