Mondays are easily the worst day of the week. It’s the hardest day to get up, make coffee and get on with our lives. But for fashion lovers, like myself, the first Monday in May is a spectacular holiday: The Met Gala. Held at The Met museum in Manhattan, the social gathering of the year is not just loved for its celebrities, but also for the outfits those celebrities wear. The most famous designers from all over the world get to style a celebrity inspired by a predetermined theme, one that will also coincide with the fashion exhibit that will run at The Met museum for the next few months.
Every year’s theme is no exception for critics, but this year’s choice of display is especially controversial. The theme: Superfine: Tailoring Black Style, a look on fashion throughout the decades that fits everyone almost as if it was made for them.
“Superfine: Tailoring Black Style explores the importance of style to the formation of Black identities in the Atlantic diaspora, particularly in the United States and Europe,” reads the Met Museum’s website. “In the 18th-century Atlantic world, a new culture of consumption, fueled by the slave trade, colonialism and imperialism, enabled access to clothing and goods that indicated wealth, distinction, and taste. Black dandyism sprung from the intersection of African and European style traditions.”
This year’s Met Gala focused on tailoring and menswear, encouraging attendees to wear tailored suits and blazers that suggested sophistication and exquisite taste.
Today, all kinds of celebrities are making it popular to rock a suit. Up-and-coming musician Doechii has been one of the individuals in the past year to make this style a part of her musical aesthetic. She is pictured wearing many different suits, tailored by Thom Brown, including her trouser-dress look at the 2025 Grammys. She has managed to incorporate these looks into her performances, red carpets and even her performances. As she has made this a big part of style, many other celebrities have done so as well. Some even faced criticisms for wearing suits, such as Gracie Abrams, who performed on SNL in a chic and chivalrous Ralph Lauren suit shirt and bow tie.
I got to speak to some of my classmates about their hopes and fears for this year’s Gala. Many in support of the style, described it as more daring than other themes.
“Tom Ford needs to put Doechii in a suit, because that’s how you do a suit,” said junior Max Huang.
Most criticism surrounding the theme relates to its mundanity. Superfine tailored style requires muted tones, blacks, blues and grays. It makes total sense that many would find this to be a “boring” pick. Moreover, others believe it is not a good enough way to truly celebrate Black culture and that it does not define what Black culture is for so many people. Many believe that instead, the exhibit should celebrate all different types of Black style.
“A theme that just requires black tie is boring; it doesn’t feel special,” said junior Mackenzie Nastro.
When I learned about this year’s theme for the gala, I felt disappointed. I didn’t know what to think about suits, bow ties and dress shoes. The most I knew about men’s fashion was the fact that my older brother used to let me tie his tie for him before formal events. It didn’t take me long to realize that men’s fashion has indeed been popping up a lot recently in my magazines and most often on my phone. It is a fashion movement that was fitted and still had some flare.
Soon I allowed myself to see into the world of suits, square pockets and most importantly a new popularity in people wearing shoulder pads again. This theme can relate to everyone and show how far this type of style has evolved. Each suit and ascot is a part of history somewhere along the line. Whether it is tailored to you or not, what we wear is an extension of ourselves in some way or another. So, ultimately, it’s worth it to find something that fits you just right.
