The Most Controversial Met Gala Looks of All Time: Kim Kardashian, Cara Delevingne and More

The Met Gala has always been about pushing boundaries, but some looks spark more debate than others. From Cher’s barely-there 1974 “naked dress” by Bob Mackie to modern-day viral moments, the red carpet has delivered outfits that divide fans, ignite headlines and redefine fashion rules.

Here are some of the most controversial Met Gala looks of all time.

Princess Diana’s Bold Slip Dress (1996)

Princess Diana made a rare and unforgettable Met Gala appearance in 1996, stepping out in a navy slip dress by John Galliano. The look was considered daring for a royal at the time, marking a sharp departure from traditional style expectations. It also signaled a new chapter for a newly single Diana — who was in the midst of wrapping up her contentious divorce from the then-Prince Charles — embracing a more modern, confident approach to fashion that still resonates today.

Liv Tyler and Stella McCartney’s T-Shirts (1999)

Liv Tyler and Stella McCartney broke from traditional Met Gala glamour in 1999 by showing up in simple, customized T-shirts. The DIY tops — made from basic Hanes tanks the morning of the event — stood out on a red carpet known for couture. According to Vogue, the morning of the Met, designer McCartney took a three-pack of Hanes tanks to a vintage rock-and-roll shop to get the pieces customized. Then, she added ribbon and studs. “It wasn’t really appropriate that we wore those shirts,” Tyler recalled in a 2020 interview, per Vogue. “Officially, we weren’t following the honors of the dress code. It was very cool and rebellious of Stella.”

Rihanna’s Meme-Worthy Carpet Gown (2015)

Rihanna shut down the 2015 Met Gala in a massive yellow couture gown by Guo Pei. The dramatic look, complete with a sweeping train, instantly went viral, with fans comparing it to everything from an omelet to a pizza. In a 2020 sit-down with Access Hollywood, the “Work” singer admitted she was nervous to rock the far-out frock, later saying she feared it might be “too much.”

Two Heads Were Better Than One for Jared Leto (2019)

Jared Leto, uh, turned heads in 2019 when he arrived in a red Gucci gown — carrying a lifelike replica of his own head. The eerie accessory quickly became one of the most talked-about moments of the night. In a behind-the-scenes video shared by Vogue’s Instagram, some praised the commitment to the “Camp” theme, while others found the look unsettling. Either way, it was impossible to ignore.

Katy Perry Lights Up the Room (2019)

Katy Perry took “Camp” to the extreme in 2019, arriving dressed as a fully functioning chandelier. The Moschino look, designed by Jeremy Scott, featured crystals, hanging elements and working lights that literally illuminated the red carpet. The over-the-top outfit instantly went viral, with fans split between describing it as genius and outrageous. “Working with Katy is always fun because she really gets my humor and can play with it like nobody else and even amp it up a few notches,” Scott told Vogue moments after Perry walked the carpet.

Karlie Kloss’ Underwhelming Mini (2019)

After she strutted down the red carpet at the 2019 Met Gala, the trolls came for model Karlie Kloss, who sidestepped the night’s exaggerated, theatrical “Camp: Notes on Fashion” theme in favor of a gold minidress with puffy black sleeves designed by Dapper Dan. Her reaction was to issue a mea culpa. “I’ll accept it, honestly I deserved that one,” she told Vogue during a 2023 sitdown.

Kim Kardashian’s Balenciaga Bodysuit (2021)

Kim Kardashian shocked fans by rocking an all-black Balenciaga outfit that completely covered her face at the event. The dramatic silhouette erased her identity, leaving only her famous figure recognizable. After she shared a snap of the bodysuit on her Instagram, many praised the bold fashion statement, while others slammed the Skims founder’s look, describing it as “demonic.” Another wrote, “Season one of American horror story vibes.”

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s Political Statement (2021)

Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez turned the Met Gala into a political moment with her white dress, designed by Aurora James and featuring the phrase “Tax the Rich” in bold red letters. Supporters applauded the message, while critics questioned the optics of making that statement at an elite event. As it turns out, the controversy didn’t end there: the House Ethics Committee later found she had not paid full market value for the dress and accessories, which violated House rules, and required her to make additional payments, per Vanity Fair.

Cara Delevingne’s ‘Peg the Patriarchy’ Vest (2021)

Cara Delevingne made quite the statement in a white bulletproof-style vest by Dior reading “Peg the Patriarchy.” The bold slogan drew immediate attention from fans and from Luna Matatas, the woman who trademarked the phrase, but who had no clue Delevingne would crib it for her fit! When asked about the eyebrow-raising outfit and — that word — Delevingne, per Refinery29 said, “If anyone doesn’t know what this word is, you’re going to have to look it up because I’m not going to explain it.”

Kim Kardashian’s Historic Dress (2022)

Kardashian again made headlines when she wore Marilyn Monroe’s iconic “Happy Birthday, Mr. President” dress — which she wore while serenading President John. F Kennedy — to the event while accompanied by then-boyfriend Pete Davidson. While the moment was meant to honor history, critics argued the fragile garment should not have been worn at all. A few weeks after the big night, InTouch reported that the reality star suffered from a psoriatic arthritis flare up while dropping 16 pounds to fit into the bodycon dress. “It was really painful, and I had to go to a rheumatologist who put me on a steroid,” she recalled to Allure magazine in a 2022 cover story.