The 2025 Met Gala threw the traditional fashion rules out the window and draped them in silk charmeuse. This year’s theme, Superfine: Tailoring Black Style, honored the artistry of Black dandyism—an ode to Black identity shaped through elegance, rebellion, and razor-sharp tailoring from the 18th century to now. Think silk waistcoats, wide-brimmed hats, boxy zoot suits, and butter-smooth double-breasted power moments.
But here’s the twist: for the first time in Met Gala history, the theme centered on menswear. Designers were pressed to reinterpret that narrative for all bodies and all genders—and that included serving tailored drama for their female and nonbinary clients. The result? Gender-defiant, curve-hugging, and wildly elegant looks that blew the roof off the Met.
The Year of the Curve: Plus Size Attendees Brought the Heat at the 2025 Met Gala
This Met Gala was historic not just for its theme, but for the rising number of curvy style stars on the carpet. The Superfine theme called for precision tailoring—often seen as an exclusive domain—and our plus size icons proved that structure and flair know no size limits.
From flowing velvet gowns to power-shouldered tuxedos, curve fashion didn’t just show up—it made the carpet a catwalk for radical self-expression.
Here are the 13 curve-commanding attendees who dominated the night
Precious Lee
Precious Lee absolutely owned the 2025 Met Gala red carpet in a custom Prabal Gurung look that screamed opulence with a wink. The plus size supermodel served body and boss energy in a dark champagne-hued bodysuit studded out with glistening stones. She topped it off with an aminal print shawl bringing jungle fever! It was equal parts sultry and sophisticated, and 100% Precious. Honestly? She looked like a glass of the finest bubbly—bold, luxe, and impossible to ignore.
Ashley Graham
Ashley Graham pulled up to the 2025 Met Gala looking like the boss of all bosses in none other than a BOSS ensemble that took menswear and turned it all the way out. Picture this: a sharply tailored pinstripe blazer with exaggerated shoulders giving strong-shouldered seductress energy, flowing into a corset bodice and melting into a train that floated behind her like she owned the place (because she did). The look was equally structured and ethereal, like a power suit got a couture makeover. With slicked-back hair and that signature Ashley confidence? Whew. She didn’t just understand the assignment—she rewrote it.
Lizzo
At the 2025 Met Gala, Lizzo made a striking return to the red carpet in a custom black-and-white gown designed by Christian Siriano. The dress featured intricate details, including three layers of corsetry, around 200 seams, and no stretch fabric, highlighting Lizzo’s curves. Siriano created the dress in just three days. Complementing her attire, Lizzo wore platinum blond shoulder-length waves styled with Red by Kiss products and Vivace by Kiss extensions, along with bold makeup featuring a smoky eye and dark lipstick. Her accessories included diamond jewelry and a cigarette holder.
Brian Tyree Henry
Brian Tyree Henry brought the drama to the 2025 Met Gala in a striking red ensemble that turned heads and stole the spotlight. He donned a bold red suit paired with a grand robe adorned with gold embroidery, complemented by black gloves and boots. This look was a standout on the red carpet, aligning perfectly with the evening’s theme, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style.”
Whoopi Goldberg
Whoopi Goldberg made a triumphant return to the Met Gala in 2025, embracing the theme “Tailored for You” with a bold and sophisticated ensemble. She donned a custom Thom Browne creation: a black duchess satin gown featuring raglan sleeves and tailored suit lapels, paired with a white overcoat intricately embroidered with 350,000 matte sequins—a detail that took 7,700 hours to complete.
Alex Newell
The Tony Award winner glided up the Met steps in a glamorous black gown that paid homage to classic menswear tailoring while serving complete diva drama. The structured silhouette nodded to the evening’s “Tailored for You” dress code, while the sweeping train and luxe fabric made it unmistakably Newell. Christian Siriano’s design was a masterclass in blending masculine structure with feminine flair, and Alex wore it like the fashion icon they are.
Audra McDonald
Audra McDonald brought timeless elegance to the 2025 Met Gala, channeling Gilded Age glamour with a modern twist. The Tony-winning icon graced the red carpet in a custom taupe gown by Harbison Studio, featuring a classic hourglass silhouette and a voluminous ruffle that added a touch of drama!
Jazmine Sullivan
Jazmine Sullivan turned the 2025 Met Gala into her personal runway, serving a look that was equal parts power suit and poetic statement. Draped in a custom off-white ensemble by Who Decides War, she reimagined classic tailoring through a lens of Black elegance and innovation. The flared blazer, adorned with delicate floral embroidery, paired seamlessly with a matching lace durag that flowed into a train—blending streetwear edge with high-fashion sophistication.
Nicki Minaj
Curvy girl, Nicki donned a custom pinstripe suit-inspired dress by Thom Browne, featuring a dramatic mermaid silhouette and a cascading floral accent down her back. The ensemble was completed with a striking updo adorned with a gold headpiece and vibrant blue nails, showcasing her attention to detail and commitment to the theme.
Rihanna
We can’t discuss curves without discussing the baby bump curve of our favorite mama-to-be! Rihanna made a grand entrance at the 2025 Met Gala, turning the red carpet into her personal runway and revealing her third pregnancy with partner A$AP Rocky. Dressed in a custom Marc Jacobs ensemble, she showcased a gray bustier, black skirt, and a cropped black jacket, all tailored to highlight her baby bump.
Bebe Rexha
Bebe Rexha made a sensational debut at the 2025 Met Gala, embracing the theme “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” with a look that blended masculine tailoring and romantic flair. Dressed in a custom Christian Siriano ensemble, she wore a structured black coat over a voluminous tulle skirt, complemented by fishnet gloves and a dramatic train .
Her hairstyle featured the trending “Betty Boop” bangs, a nod to 1930s glamour, which many celebrities adopted for the event .
Despite the fashion-forward appearance, Rexha faced online body-shaming comments following the event. She addressed the criticism by sharing her personal experience of a recent pregnancy loss, highlighting the insensitivity of such remarks .
Tems
Tem’s ensemble paid homage to Boateng‘s 2019 womenswear debut at New York’s Apollo Theater, which celebrated the centenary of the Harlem Renaissance. By choosing this look, Tems honored Black sartorial excellence and highlighted the rich history of Black dandyism.
Quest Love
Questlove’s suit paid homage to his father, Lee Andrews, a soul singer known for his impeccable style. Drawing inspiration from the sharp silhouettes of icons like Sammy Davis Jr. and Duke Ellington, the look melded nostalgia with avant-garde flair. Questlove, who once shied away from suits due to generational attitudes about respectability, embraced this full-circle fashion moment with pride.
Hits & Misses: Who Nailed It, Who Tried It
As someone who lives for fashion, and also a good theme—the 2025 Met Gala delivered. This year’s “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” had me screaming, screenshotting, and side-eyeing in the best way. From precision tailoring to over-the-top glam, the red carpet felt like a runway remix of history, heritage, and pure fashion bravado. Honestly, narrowing it down to my top three favorite looks felt borderline cruel (like asking me to pick a favorite shapewear brand—impossible). But after much internal debate, a few rewatches, and a group chat poll… here they are!
Hits:
Lauryn Hill
Lauryn Hill’s 2025 Met Gala debut was nothing short of a fashion sermon, and I was absolutely here for every divine detail. Draped in a custom butter-yellow suit by Ghanaian designer Jude Dontoh, she embodied the essence of the evening’s theme, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” with a look that was both regal and revolutionary. The sculptural jacket, featuring a dramatic train and a crown-like cape, was a nod to Black dandyism and Ghanaian royalty, further accentuated by jewelry from Emefa Cole crafted with single-mine origin gold .
But Lauryn didn’t stop there. She accessorized with a cerulean blue Hermès Kelly bag, burgundy tie, oversized sunglasses, and a gold-encrusted fan, creating a harmonious blend of color and culture . Her beauty choices—bright blue eyeshadow and deep purple lipstick—added a bold finish to the ensemble . This rare red carpet appearance was a powerful reminder of Lauryn Hill’s enduring influence in both music and fashion.
Teyana Taylor
Teyana Taylor didn’t just attend the 2025 Met Gala—she owned it, delivering a look that was equal parts fashion, history, and unapologetic Harlem swagger. In a custom Marc Jacobs ensemble co-designed with two-time Oscar winner Ruth E. Carter, Teyana rocked a pinstriped zoot suit with a dramatic burgundy cape embroidered with “Harlem Rose,” a nod to her 2018 anthem “Rose in Harlem” . The ensemble was adorned with satin roses and black crystallized vines, cascading down her back in a stunning display of craftsmanship. Topping it off with a burgundy top hat, matching floor-length durag, leather gloves, and a ruby-encrusted cane, she embodied the theme “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” with every stitch .
Janelle Monáe
Janelle Monáe didn’t just attend the 2025 Met Gala—she orchestrated a sartorial symphony that left the fashion world in awe. Collaborating with Thom Browne and Oscar-winning costume designer Paul Tazewell, Monáe donned a transformative ensemble that began with a trompe l’oeil overcoat featuring embroidered grosgrain ribbons mimicking a tie, lapel, and briefcase. As she ascended the Met steps, the overcoat was removed to reveal a deconstructed sport coat and skirt, seamlessly blending red wool crepe with black-and-white pinstripes—a visual metaphor for deconstructing traditional norms and embracing individuality . Gah!
Misses:
Okay, let’s talk about some of the misses from the 2025 Met Gala, because while the theme “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” had us all ready to see some iconic moments, not everyone hit the mark. Some celebs really missed a golden opportunity to showcase Black dandyism and the powerful history behind it. I mean, don’t get me wrong, their outfits were cool in their own way, but they didn’t quite hit the sweet spot of sharp tailoring, rich heritage, and storytelling that the theme begged for. A couple of stars looked like they were more into creating a “fashion statement” than actually paying homage to the culture and style this year was meant to spotlight. It’s all about that fine line between wearing a beautiful look and owning the theme.
Lala
Doja Cat
Megan the Stallion
Superfine Was Super Necessary!
This year’s Met Gala proved that honoring Black style history must include all Black bodies—especially the ones long kept at the margins of fashion. The rise of plus size attendees made it impossible to ignore that glamour, structure, and high design belong to everyone.
And let’s be real: if you’re not creating fashion that celebrates all bodies, you’re not really making fashion—you’re just making clothes.
Whose look was your favorite of the night? Let us know in the comments below!
This article, Where Are the Curves? A Plus-Size Breakdown of Met Gala 2025’s Red Carpet Wins & Misses first appeared on The Curvy Fashionista and is written by Karajuicyjohnson.
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