The Met Gala 2025 is just around the corner, and we couldn’t be more excited! Here’s everything you need to know about this year’s theme, dress code, and star-studded guest list. Plus, a deep dive into dandyism and its influence on fashion history.

What is the Met Gala?

The Met Gala is an annual charity event and fundraiser organized by Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour to benefit the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute. It happens every year on the first Monday of May at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Known as ‘fashion’s biggest night,’ the exclusive event attracts A-list celebrities, designers, and industry icons—many of whom pay a staggering $75,000 for a coveted ticket.

Get the Scoop on this Year’s Theme!

On October 9, the Metropolitan Museum of Art announced their Costume Institute spring 2025 exhibition, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” (aka Dandyism). The Met Gala 2025 dress code is “Tailored for You,” focusing on menswear and suiting! 

This year’s theme was inspired by Guest Curator Monica L. Miller’s 2009 book Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity. The exhibition will delve into the development of Black identities within the African Diaspora. 

Click here for her interview on how black people, once slaves to fashion, have made fashion their slave.

What is Dandyism?

Traditionally, Dandyism has been used to describe a man deeply dedicated to style. The term was first applied to fashionably dressed Black men in 18th-century Europe. It offered Black men the creativity to use fashion as a tool for transmuting their assigned personas in the political and social sphere. The Costume Institute’s exhibition will explore Dandyism through a variety of media such as drawings, photography, painting, film, garments, and accessories from artists like Torkwase Dyson, Tanda Francis, André Grenard Matswa, and Tyler Mitchell.

The Legacy of Dandyism

Raúl Grigera

Known as The Black Dandy of Buenos Aires in the 1910s and ’20s, Raúl Grigera turned the city’s cobblestone streets into his runway. He embodied elegance and resistance with crisp suits, sharp details, and undeniable swag. Grigera wasn’t just stepping out—he was stepping forward!

Dapper Dan

His name already says it all! Dapper Dan is a Harlem-based fashion designer who rose to fame in the 80s for his custom-made, luxury streetwear, which became iconic within the hip-hop community. His early clientele includes Salt-N-Pepa, LL Cool J, Run-DMC, and Mike Tyson.

André 3000

One of today’s most notable dandy figures, André 3000 combines classic tailoring with eccentric, boundary-pushing fashion, keeping dandyism alive in hip-hop.

A$AP Rocky is always ten steps ahead, blending streetwear and luxury with just the right amount of unpredictability. Whether he’s layering pearls over a classic suit, pulling up in a kilt with confidence, or matching a tie with metallic hair clips, he redifines menswear with every look.

Fashion Forward Celebrities We're Excited to See!

We personally can’t wait to see what Doechii, Zendaya, and Cynthia Erivo will be whipping up. They’ve been serving looks lately—we’re definitely eating it all up!  Check out their standout looks below:

Doechi

Cynthia Erivi


Zendaya

How to Serve Dandyism IRL?!

Ready to bring that timeless dandy energy into your everyday fits? From clean cuts to statement details, here's how to rock dandyism in a way that feels fresh, modern, and all you!

• Blazers
  Oversized, boxy or sharply tailored—just make sure it has structure. A pop of color or vintage print? Even better.
• Bustiers
  Yes, dandy can be flirty. Pair a structured bustier with trousers or under a blazer for a look that's sharp and bold.
• Poplin Button-Down Blouse/ Dress Shirt
  Think sharp collar, fitted through the shoulders, and preferably starched. Extra points for an unexpected detail like contrast stitching or oversized cuffs.
• Tailored Trousers
  Clean lines are key. Opt for high-waisted styles with a pressed-creased, tapered or wide-leg fit for that timeless dandy silhouette.
• Pleated A-Line Skirt
  Adds softness while still keeping it tailored. Midi length works best for balance and movement.
• Suit Vests
  Buttoned up and layered over shirts or dresses for that classic-meets-contemporary edge. Cropped or longline—play with proportion!
• Cuffed Denim Jeans
  Slim isn't the move here. Go for straight or wide leg structured denim with volume and visible cuff for that nonchalant polish.
  
  

What do you think about this year’s theme? Are you as obsessed with dandyism as we are? And which celebrity look are you dying to see on the red carpet? Let us know in the comments—we want to hear it all!

Xoxo,
Marlene Alvarez