Six Dos and Dont’s of Red Carpet Dressing from this Year’s Met Gala

Known as the Oscars of fashion, this year’s MET Gala, which happened on Monday night, came with quite the tricky theme. Punk: Chaos to Couture opens on Thursday at the MET’s Costume Institute, and provided patrons of the red carpet affair with quite the task when it came to their wardrobe. How far is too far? And does dressing to theme really matter? Two very important questions when drumming up ensemble choices for a charity fundraiser, which can be many in a young professional’s yearly schedule. Whether you’re attending a dinner function with the boss or have bought tickets with friends to attend your city’s biggest party, take note of a few dos and don’ts when it comes to red carpet dressing straight from our favourite style subjects.

DO:

Try something vintage. Anne Hathaway looked absolutely stunning in a vintage Valentino on this year’s MET red carpet. It was unexpected (as was her newly bleached locks), and classic at the same time. Finding a vintage gown could save you some pennies and will almost guarantee that you’ll be the only one at the party wearing that look.

DON’T:

Forget to follow the theme. Themed parties are meant to be fun and loose, so don’t be too rigid and go with an old standby frock or suit (ahem, Anna Wintour  and Gerard Butler!). Try something new that fits the moment and something that you are comfortable wearing. Showing up is simply not enough when it’s a party this big.

DO:

Try something new! (See what I did there?) The aforementioned Anne Hathaway debuted a killer new look with a completely punk appropriate new hair colour. As did Nicole Richie and Zachary Quinto, though me thinks those were less permanent than Hathaway’s colour change. Regardless, all three attendees played with the punk idea and looked like they had fun doing it.

DON’T:

Try too hard. Not everyone could get down with their punkier self, and on those who tried a little too hard, it really did show. Think: January Jones’ eyeliner, Gisele’s “rock on” hand gesture, and Jessica Biel’s barely-there rose ring.

If the theme is something you’re not a fan of, or something that isn’t your usual style, do some research to see if there is an aspect of said topic that you do vibe with. Knowing the subject matter and how it relates to you may be the key to avoiding a red carpet faux pas.

DO:

Try something blue. Both Tom Brady and Nicolas Hoult wore a blue Tom Ford tuxedo jacket for their stroll down the punk carpet (albeit slightly different shades of the hue!).

It was a welcome change to the sea of dull black tuxedos. Good on you, boys!

And lastly, DO

Do you! Don’t care what others think—wear and do whatever you feel like doing. Take notes from Madonna, who dressed to theme and then some, and Kanye West, who sweetly told pregnant girlfriend Kim Kardashian while performing not to worry what others think. 

 

Cover image: idiva.com