The Best Men’s Looks of Met Gala 2021
This was a gradual progression, with a few people on our Best Dressed List being responsible for the shift.
Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris / Getty Images
Up until recent years, the aesthetic of a male celebrity at any red carpet event has always measured up to be only a mere accessory to their female counterparts: wearing a classic tuxedo (which let’s be honest, will never get old) but wouldn’t dare outshine the grandeur of the dress. Fast-forward to this year’s annual MET Gala where that old guard is simply no more.
For this year’s ‘In America: A Lexicon of Fashion,’ theme for the MET Ball, the dress code was “American Independence,” which unsurprisingly gave room for the gentlemen who attended the event to break free from the notion of playing small in any way, shape, or form. Make no mistake, this was a very gradual progression, with a few of the people on our best-dressed list being responsible for the shift, one award-show-stopping sartorial sensation at a time. Due largely to the confidence that the following men have consistently possessed, more and more men are feeling freer to showcase what truly makes them unique.
Lo and behold, these men not only understood the assignment, they aced it. Here is who made our list:
PHARELL WILLIAMS is w
earing Chanel!
One of the favorites of the late couturier Karl Lagerfeld, Mr. Williams pays a glorious homage to the infamous Buffalo Soldier in his glamorous get-up, right down to a diamond-encrusted bolo tie and gold-toe cowboy boots to match. He looks fantastic in his own right and looks charming next to his wife in matching Chanel.
Pharell Williams at the 2021 MET Gala on Monday, September 13th, 2021. Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris / Getty Images
TIMOTHEE CHALAMET is w
earing Haider Ackermann, Rick Owens, Converse, and Cartier!
The film megastar and co-host of the event did his research as he probably wore one of the most spot-on and iconic symbols of American fashion with that classic all-white high-top Chuck Taylor. We understand what he’s doing with the sweatpants and we are so glad that he paired this iconography on the lower half of his look with the glitz of the upper half. That double-breasted matador-esque blazer and diamonds elevated and reeled everything in.
Timothee Chalamet during the 2021 MET Gala on Monday, September 13th, 2021. Photo: Mike Coppola / Getty Images
STEPH CURRY is wearing Versace! That blazer with the jewel-emblazoned effect on the shoulder is what dapper dreams are made of. It has a leather lapel on the collar, and a belted waist while the rest of the look is clean and clear, and under control. This is a masterclass on how to shine simultaneously without overpowering the best parts of your look and the better half of yourself.
Steph Curry during the 2021 MET Gala on Monday, September 13th, 2021. Photo: Kevin Mazur / Getty Images
TOM FORD is w
earing TOM FORD!
Get out your pens and paper, people! This is a lesson on polish, panache, and perfection. Wasn’t it Mr. Ford himself who said in a documentary that a “velvet” black is the blackest black there is? The CFDA chairman knows what he’s talking about and proved it yet again with this classic, uber-sexy, and luxurious look.
Tom Ford during the 2021 MET Gala on Monday, September 13th, 2021. Photo: Mike Coppola / Getty Images
ALTON MASON is w
earing Theophilio!
Fashion’s it-boy quite literally came through dripping. This suit and the excellence of the man wearing it gives every bit of (the second coming of Michael Jackson in his prime) realness. It’s too difficult to choose which aspect of this look is the best part. Is it the diamond tassels? Or the detail work that has gone into the beading on the shoulder and the collar? Let’s not even get started on the boots that are encrusted with pearls. What I would give to be a fly on the wall to see the way he glistened in this.
Alton Mason during the 2021 MET Gala on Monday, September 13th, 2021. Photo: Kevin Mazur / Getty Images
EVAN MOCK is w
earing Thom Browne!
This look is (much like the man wearing it) badass. The iconic pink hair, the safety pins that are pulling the suit all together, the black nails, assorted silver rings, the sharply studded man purse, the fact that he’s wearing Thom Browne with shorts and French cuffs. This is a man who is wearing the clothes to fit him and not the other way around. Bravo!
Evan Mock during the 2021 MET Gala on Monday, September 13th, 2021. Photo: Jeff Kravitz/ Getty Images
TYLER MITCHELL is w
earing Bode!
Vogue’s first African-American cover photographer was a breath of fresh air on this year’s beige carpet. He nailed the color theory of the Gala with that vibrant red color paired with a white shirt under that navy blue ribbon tie. The shoes are a new invention that I’m happy he experimented with.
Tyler Mitchell during the 2021 MET Gala on Monday, September 13th, 2021. Photo: Mike Coppola / Getty Images
WILL WELCH is w
earing Bode!
The newly crowned editor-in-chief of GQ looks very smart in this patchwork suit. To let the suit, speak for itself, he chose to keep the bow tie and shoes very minimal but still super-chic. This entire ensemble is exactly how you take a creative concept, own it, and still manage to look put together.
Will Welch during the 2021 MET Gala on Monday, September 13th, 2021. Photo: Mike Coppola / Getty Images