Last night’s Met Gala didn’t deliver a definitive moment for menswear. The brief – “Costume Art” – was deliberately open-ended, and most attendees either sidestepped it or interpreted it loosely. A few did, however, engage with it more earnestly – and they deserve credit for that.
But the best-dressed men were not necessarily those who “solved” the theme most precisely. They stood out through presence, restraint, and an unforced sense of styling – an ability to occupy the room without over-explaining the look.
And ultimately, art is subjective. So is one’s understanding of it, and the way it manifests emotionally or visually. Art can be loud or subdued, immediate or abstract, provocative or restrained – but in every form, intention is the constant thread. Thought was clearly invested in these looks, even when execution diverged. That’s what deserves acknowledgement: art does not operate on a single axis of meaning, but across multiple personal interpretations – and fashion, especially at the Met, is no exception.
Colman Domingo
Colman Domingo once again anchored the night with a look that felt instinctively rich in texture and proportion, it felt like the theme was met and loved.
Maluma
Maluma arrived in a custom collaboration look by Haider Ackermann for Tom Ford, built on disciplined tailoring and a sharply controlled silhouette.
It didn’t attempt to redefine the brief. It simply succeeded on its own terms
Sombr
Sombr stepped out in a custom Valentino look designed by Alessandro Michele, leaning into the house’s signature romanticism with a more expressive, fashion-forward edge. It felt more about embracing mood, texture, and the kind of stylised eccentricity Michele has built his reputation on.
JAY-Z
JAY-Z wore a custom look by Louis Vuitton that leaned into authoritative tailoring, yet the floral brooch element added a touch of personality.
Stephen Curry
At the Met Gala, Curry wore a custom Balenciaga look built around a hooded tailored coat layered over a double-breasted suit – sharp, monochromatic, and slightly severe in silhouette. The addition of leather gloves and the sculpted outerwear gave it a controlled, almost cinematic edge, drawing from the house’s “Clair Obscur” direction without overcomplicating the result.
Paul Anthony Kelly
Wearing custom Dior, Kelly opted for a burgundy velvet tailcoat with a subtle gothic undertone – cinematic in tone, controlled in execution.
