For this year, the best-dressed men transformed The Met&rsquo;s steps into a living exhibition of fashion, form, and self-expression.

The first Monday in May once again unfolded as a celebration not just of fashion, but art in its most embodied form, as the Metropolitan Museum of Art became a living gallery for this year&rsquo;s Met Gala. The Costume Institute&rsquo;s 2026 exhibition, titled &lsquo;Costume Art,' explores the enduring relationship of the human body and artistic expression across history.
Extending this philosophy beyond the exhibition walls, the dress code &mdash;&nbsp;Fashion is Art&nbsp;&mdash; invited guests to transform themselves into moving masterpieces, where the body is treated as both the subject and medium. With co-chairs Beyonc&eacute;, Nicole Kidman, Venus Williams, and Anna Wintour at the helm, the night became a living tableau, where the carpet &mdash; or the pavement &mdash; became a stage of self-expression and visual storytelling.&nbsp;
Among these interpretations, several men stood out with looks that balanced concept and craftsmanship, earning their place in this year&rsquo;s best-dressed list.&nbsp;

<h2>The Best Dressed Men at the 2025 Met Gala</h2>

<h3 dir="ltr">Colman Domingo</h3>

Never the one missing the dressing on theme, the award-winning actor Colman Domingo embraced color and character in a custom Valentino ensemble that channels the raw and expressive spirit of American contemporary artist Jean-Michel Basquiat. The woven pattern of the blazer creates a seamless connection with the bold jewelries from Boucheron and a timepiece from Omega, adding an understated refinement to the outfit.&nbsp;

<h3 dir="ltr">A$AP Rocky</h3>

Arriving just on cue, A$AP Rocky appeared in a custom Chanel ensemble by Matthieu Blazey, centered on a soft pink trench-length coat that tempers traditional tailoring with a robe-like ease. Black satin lapels, a feathered camelia brooch and delicate black satin piping, worn over the crisp white shirt and tailored trousers, elevated his look. Accessories, including an apple-shaped chain bag, a bow tie, loafers, and layered Chanel High Jewelry, added a playful yet polished finish.

<h3 dir="ltr">Sam Smith</h3>

Stealing the show on the carpet, Sam Smith stepped out in a dramatic look inspired by the revered Father of Art Deco &mdash; Ert&eacute;. Designed by their partner Christian Cowan, the showgirl-inspired mermaid dress is defined by a cinched, sculptural silhouette that features wing-like feathered sleeves and a towering feather fascinator. The outfit is also adorned with over 230,000 hand-placed beads and crystals, mirroring early 20th-century theatrical glamour.&nbsp;

<h3 dir="ltr">Anderson .Paak</h3>

Pulling up to the function with a party-like energy, Anderson .Paak slipped into his alter ego, DJ Pee .Wee, for this year&rsquo;s Met Gala. Wearing a black-and-white suit from Amiri, he paired a double-breasted coat detailed with star-like crystal embellishments with kick-flare trousers, evoking the charm of vintage showmanship with a modern swag. Completed with gold accessories from head to toe, it leaned fully into a red-carpet performance.&nbsp;

<h3 dir="ltr">Rami Malek</h3>

Rami Malek showcased a masterclass in classical restraint in this Saint Laurent ensemble, where a double-breasted overcoat created a sleek, uninterrupted silhouette. A voluminous fur collar framed the look with a note of subdued opulence, while the starburst brooch and a 1992 platinum Cartier Crash watch complemented it with a subtle brilliance.&nbsp;

South Korean actor Ahn Hyo-seop showed up in gilded glamour with a modern twist, marking his Met Gala introduction in a custom Valentino ensemble. Consisting of a sequined black-and-gold patterned suit layered over an ivory dress shirt, the look is reminiscent of the luscious brushwork of Gustav Klimt&rsquo;s The Kiss and Woman in Gold, translating fine art into tailored form. A slender red scarf cut through the richness with a striking flourish, enhancing the look with an expressive edge.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<h3 dir="ltr">Connor Storrie</h3>

Heated Rivalry breakout star Connor Storie made his highly anticipated Met Gala debut in a custom Saint Laurent ensemble by Anthony Vaccarello. The look is composed of a flowing polka-dotted silk lavalli&egrave;re top paired with sharply cut high-waist pants, with a tailored suit jacket removed on the carpet to reveal a more relaxed silhouette.

<h3 dir="ltr">Hudson Williams </h3>

Offering a distinct counterpoint to his Heated Rivalry co-star, Hudson Williams stole the spotlight in a powder-blue Balenciaga outfit that reimagines a 1947 bolero silhouette through a matador-inspired tailoring. The look was also richly accentuated with black crystal embellishments and tassel detailings, while a sweeping side train references the traditional muleta. Styled open to reveal the body, the piece aligns with the exhibition&rsquo;s exploration of a dressed body.&nbsp;

<h3 dir="ltr">Jeremy Pope</h3>

Jeremy Pope delivered high-fashion drama in an archival Vivienne Westwood Fall 1996 corseted jacket that traced the male torso with dense beadwork and structured corsetry. Embellished with varying pearls, it creates a hyper-defined form where muscles become decoration. Turned around, the ruby accents and fragmented textures further deepen the narrative with a more visceral finish &mdash; a perfect interpretation of this year&rsquo;s theme of art&rsquo;s relationship with the body.&nbsp;

<h3 dir="ltr">Troye Sivan</h3>

Troye Sivan approached tonight&rsquo;s dress code with a refined ease in custom Prada, drawing inspiration from the stark and provocative imagery of American photographer Robert Mapplethorpe. High-waisted, distressed denim pants in a vivid blue are draped loosely over a pair of bold leather boots, contrasted by a crisp shirt, slim leather tie, and a sweeping overcoat accented with a fur shawl. Finished with scattered brooches, chain accents, and an artfully disheveled hair, the look distilled the &lsquo;80s downtown grit into something more considered, composed, and Met Gala-worthy.&nbsp;

The Best Dressed Men at the 2026 Met Gala

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