The Costume Institute Gala is usually held on the first Monday in May at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (simply, the Met Gala).
It’s a never-ending red-carpet train of celebrities, from fashion designers and Hollywood actresses to pop music sensations and sports legends, supporting the Costume Institute.
It is called “Fashion’s Biggest Night” and “Celebrities’ Biggest Night” worldwide.
Best Met Gala Look (Source: Evening Standard)
The high-profile mega-event, often referred to as the “Super Bowl of celebrity red carpets,” attracts thousands of people.
After all, this event is nicknamed the “East Coast Oscars” because of the stunning fashion on display.
So, in honor of the Met Gala’s big comeback, let’s look back at the best Met Gala outfits male.
Quick Overview
Let’s look at our top picks for the most iconic Met Gala outfits of all time for males.
Rank
Star
Event Year
23.
Will.i.am
2016
22.
Zayn Malik
2016
21.
Wiz Khalifa
2017
20.
Jaden Smith
2017
19.
Chadwick Boseman
2018
18.
Pharrell Williams
2018
17.
Takeoff, Quavo, and Offset (of Migos)
2018
16.
Virgil Abloh
2018
15.
Sean “Diddy” Combs and Christian Combs
2018
14.
Troye Sivan
2018
13.
Maluma
2019
12.
Billy Porter
2019
11.
Anderson .Paak
2019
10.
Harry Styles
2019
9.
Dapper Dan
2019
8.
Jared Leto
2019
7.
Dev Hynes
2021
6.
Jeremy Pope
2021
5.
Justin Bieber
2021
4.
Lil Nas X
2021
3.
Maluma
2021
2.
Timothee Chalamet
2021
1.
A$AP Rocky
2021
23. Will.i.am
The founder and lead member of the hip-hop group “Black Eyed Peas” gave a futuristic look at the Met Gala of 2016.
Will.i.am is not your average musician and producer, as he has shown his creative fashion sides multiple times.
William dressed at Met Gala (Source: Irish Mirror)
He added a full-blown face visor to his already sideswipe embroidered floral sleeve black Gucci suit, making it one of the crazy hat moves.
Hence, he resides at number 23 in our ‘Best Met Gala Dressed Male.’
22. Zayn Malik
British singer and ex-member of the boy band, One Direction, Zayn Malik, is not a stranger to the world of fashion.
In 2016, he stole the show wearing metal sleeves by Versace, accompanied by his ex-girlfriend, Gigi Hadid.
Zyan Malik With Gigi Hadid in 2016 Met Gala (Source: Teen Vogue)
They were even called the best couple of the night.
21. Wiz Khalifa
At number 21, we have the stylish American rapper Wiz Khalifa.
Wiz Khalifa Met Gala Look (Source: Twitter)
Khalifa and his stylist, Lauren Matos, decided to raise the game for the museum’s annual gala in 2017, remixing the idea of a black-tie tuxedo with an all-white Rag & Bone outfit.
20. Jaden Smith
On the Met Gala 2017 red carpet, Jaden Smith looked polished with his smart Louis Vuitton suit and a man’s heels.
Jaden Smith dress at Met Gala (Source: OK Magazine)
Smith also carried his bleach-blond cutoff dreads, which greatly complimented his beautiful suit.
19. Chadwick Boseman
Late American actor famous for portraying the superhero Black Panther, Chadwick Boseman, was an exceptional human being.
Chadwick Boseman Looks at Met Gala (Source: Twitter)
In an all-white Versace ensemble with religiously inspired decorations, gold shoes, and a cloak, he stole the show at the 2018 Met Gala.
18. Pharrell Williams
Talented producer and rapper Pharrell Williams walked the red carpet with his wife.
Pharrell was dressed in a black suit and a white shirt.
Pharrell Williams in 2018 Met Gala (Source: Pinterest)
Furthermore, the material had just the proper number of unusual embellishments to make it stand out. The clean lines also worked well as a backdrop for accessories.
17. Takeoff, Quavo, and Offset (of Migos)
The rap trio wore Versace blazers with religious iconography and graphics, perfectly keeping with the occasion.
They paired the bright items with plain black jeans and gold-accented sunglasses.
Migos, Takeoff, Quavo, and Offset Met Gala 2018 (Source: British GQ)
Migos captured everyone’s attention with the synced dress.
The late designer came in style for the 2018 Met Gala.
Virgil was dressed in a piece from his Maison debut collection.
Virgil Abloh Met Gala 2018 Look (Source: Vogue)
The creative director of Louis Vuitton could easily be an end-of-show look in one of his own creations.
Dressed casually in an all-white suit with patterns inspired by Catholic stained glass windows, he definitely deserves the number 16.
15. Sean “Diddy” Combs and Christian Combs
Christian Combs, a rapper, and model, attended the Met Gala 2018 alongside his renowned father, recording mogul Sean “P. Diddy” Combs.
Christian and Sean on the Red Carpet (Source: Pinterest/POPSUGAR)
Passion for luxury and casual streetwear were united in their appearance.
14. Troye Sivan
Australian singer-songwriter and actor represented himself in the 2018 Met Gala.
Troye wore an all-red Valentino ensemble (except for his studded black shoes), including a clean suit and an unusual see-through mesh top.
Troye Sivan in Met Gala (Source: Universal Music Canada)
His distinctive tasseled locks and a darker eye enhanced his attractive appearance.
13. Maluma
Colombian singer and superstar, Maluma comes on our list at number 13.
Maluma Met Gala 2019 Look (Source: Pinterest)
Maluma looked stunning in a Moschino suit that was glittery and patterned and perfectly in keeping with the theme.
12. Billy Porter
In a theatrical tribute to Ancient Egypt, Billy Porter closed down the Met Gala red carpet by arriving on a barrow, carried by six shirtless guys.
Billy Porter Met Gala 2019 (Source: Vogue)
The American actor came in a unique “Sun God” dress, including a bejeweled catsuit with 10-foot wings and a 24-karat gold headgear.
11. Anderson.Paak
American rapper and drummer Anderson.Paak came with funk at the 2019 Met Gala.
Anderson.Paak Met Gala Look 2019 (Source: Twitter)
He wore a beige button-up with a printed jacket, pink slacks, dark red shoes, bedazzled glasses, and a white hat.
10. Harry Styles
Former member of One Direction,Harry Styles is a household name for fashionable clothes.
Wearing a transparent frilled blacktop and fitted trousers, he once again showed himself as one of the world’s best-dressed men.
Harry Style Met Gala 2019 (Source: Vogue)
Harry 100% deserves the top 10 spots.
9. Dapper Dan
Popular American designer hailed with his own design in the 2019 Met Gala.
Dan, who is presently partnering with Gucci, wore a crimson jacket decorated with light blue flowers on the red carpet.
Dapper Dan Met Gala 2019 (Source: Vogue)
Dapper pledged to hold Gucci responsible for their racial issue involving a sweater that evoked blackface, and he did so in the most stylish way possible.
He was using fashion to address challenges in his community.
8. Jared Leto
Actor Jared Leto made everyone’s jaw drop when he walked on the red carpet, carrying his own head.
The actor wore a silky crimson high-neck gown with sleeves and a jewel-encrusted body chain.
English singer Dev Hynes wore a red lunch-bag-style tote from Medea at the Met Gala 2021.
Dev Hynes 2021 Met Gala Look (Source: Vogue)
It’s a Met Gala pretty much every day for Dev, in an outfit that doesn’t stray too far from his normal style.
6. Jeremy Pope
Jeremy Pope chose an all-white off-the-shoulder suit that appeared to be designed to push the boundaries of flesh-baring, but it had a much deeper message.
The Broadway actor revealed on Instagram that he was actually wearing a slave’s outfit.
Jeremy Pope 2021 Met Gala Look (Source: POPSUGAR)
This style was created to honor the bravery and strength of slaves who suffered as a result of America’s tumultuous relationship with cotton.
5. Justin Bieber
The handsome musical star Justin Bieber walked the red carpet with his wife, Hailey Bieber.
The duo, who usually loves vividly colored streetwear and adventurous styles, opted for timeless all-black evening clothes, which was a surprising choice for the couple.
Justin and Hailey Bieber in Met Gala 2021 (Source: Pinkvilla)
He rocked sneakers and carried a smiley-face mug to complete the dressy-casual look.
While the couple has a record of matching outfits on the streets, they rarely do so on the red carpet.
It was their first Met Gala united and one of their first appearances together in a long time.
4. Lil Nas X
American singer and rapper Lil Nas X is always at the center of the news for pushing boundaries.
Nas came to the 2021 Met Gala dressed in a three-part Atelier Versace ensemble that required him to change clothes on the red carpet with the help of a professional team.
X’s initial appearance was a studded, high-collared golden cloak with a long, sweeping train.
Lil Nas X Met Gala 2021 (Source: Vogue)
But beneath the regal exterior was a futuristic, C3PO-worthy set of armor, which X’s team helped unveil.
Furthermore, he changed out of his heavy-metal attire and into a glittery catsuit for his third look.
For all three appearances, the “Montero” singer rocked the same black boots, as well as grills, earrings, and gold decorations at the rims of his eyes.
3. Maluma
Maluma makes a comeback to take away the top three positions in our list.
He looked flashy and glamorous in a Versace fire-engine red leather outfit with a spiked collar, signature cuffs, and fringe at the Met Gala 2021.
Maluma with his 2021 Met Gala look (Source: Hola)
The leather pants had bejeweled pockets and a glistening jersey stripe.
Maluma, of course, didn’t miss out on the spotlight. The artist wore a golden net undershirt and a spiked belt buckle.
2. Timothee Chalamet
The exceptional actor, Timothee, has been able to secure number two on the out list with a simple look.
Despite optioning for a fairly modest outfit, he made a statement with his presence.
Timothee Chalamet 2021 Met Gala (Source: Vogue)
On the step and repeat, Chalamet wore an all-white ensemble by Haider Ackermann, one of his most-worn designers and closest partners.
He wore a satin tuxedo jacket with black lapels and white sweatpants, and Converse sneakers.
1. A$AP Rocky
One of the prominent American rappers, A$AP Rocky, wore it the best.
He went to the Met Gala 2021 with his baby mama, Rihanna.
Rocky and Rihanna weren’t sure whether they’d be attending the Met Gala, so they reportedly planned their looks “separately” just in case.
Nonetheless, they showed up in matching tight costumes, appearing suited for bed on the red carpet, as if to stake their claim as the world’s most gorgeous couple.
A$AP Rocky Met Gala 2021 Look (Source: People)
Eli Russell Linnetz designed a quilted cape for him.
The two made waves on the red carpet, and the designer revealed that the rapper “gravitated to a large quilt in the ERL spring collection” when he visited the studio.
Rovik is an editor and content writer; with a bachelors degree in Journalism, he has worked in niches such as sports, entertainment, news, and trending.
