A Celebration of Men’s Fashion From the 2021 Met Gala
Capture of Bardia Zeinali’s video of Lil Nas X for Vogue Magazine.
On September 13th, the Met Gala had its annual costume showcase at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Every year, celebrities arrive to showcase designers' work and to raise money for the gala’s costume institute. The Met Gala is a celebration of fashion. Every year, designers push the envelope in creating a more unique—and progressive—design for athletes, artists, and influential figures alike. Up until recent times, men’s fashion has taken a back seat. It has always been expected for men to wear simple button down shirts and slacks for formal events. But, the rise in androgynous fashion is blurring traditional gendered dressing, proving that dresses, skirts, and suits can be worn by anybody, regardless of gender identity. Fashion is an outlet for everyone—and this year’s met gala proved that there are no limits in freedom of expression. Here are some of our favorite Met Gala looks in men’s fashion:
1. Lil Nas X
Artist, Lil Nas X, stunned in a layered gold ensemble, designed by Donatella Versace. The piece had three outfit reveals: an intricate gold cape with a flowing train, futuristic head-to-toe battle armor, and a sparkling beaded bodysuit. In an interview with Emma Chamberlain, Lil Nas X explains his outfit transformation akin to being in a “shell” and breaking out of it—comparing the experience to when he “got into the industry” and that, “no one knew who I was.” The outfit has another meaning as well. This past August, Lil Nas X announced to his followers that he is a member of the LGBTQ community on World Pride Day. Lil Nas X explained to Chamberlain that the gold armor was “like I built this shield around myself [...] I came out, and this year, I feel like I really came out.” Lil Nas X’s outfits reflect his newfound confidence, and inspires youth to represent who they are through fashion.
Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue
2. Troye Sivan
Singer Troye Sivan wore an Altu gown, Rick Owens shoes, and Cartier jewelry. Troye Sivan is another one of my favorite Met Gala looks, because the dress is simple, yet elegant, and I like the platform heels as well. Sivan, along with Pete Davidson and Kid Cudi—who wore skirts to the Met gala—are destigmatizing traditional masculinity, by stepping out of the expected suits and slacks of men's formal wear. There are many ways to express what it means to be a man, and regardless of sexuality, men should be allowed to wear what makes them feel confident and beautiful. Sivan, along with many other men from the Met gala are revolutionizing men’s fashion for the better.
Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images – Troye Sivan at the Met Gala
3. Kid Cudi
Rapper Kid Cudi wore an eclectic Louis Vuitton skirt, a blue sweatshirt, neon shoes, and freshly dyed bright green hair. I like Kid Cudi’s look because it is very unexpected. I like that his look is all over the place; there’s a lot of color, yet, a contrasting dark eye look, alluding to Avril Lavigne and 90s punk rock grunge. What I like the most is that Kid Cudi taps into “emo beauty,” while embracing femininity in a skirt and makeup. Kid Cudi models to youth that masculinity is how you perceive it, and that there isn’t any specific way to look like a man.
Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images
The Met Gala was a big moment in men’s fashion. Kid Cudi, Troye Sivan, and Lil Nas X’s outfits were my favorites, but I also really liked Jeremy Pope and Pete Davidson’s styles. It was refreshing to see men in corsets and skirts, because it encourages men to dress out of their comfort zone. I look forward more androgynous fashion at the next Met Gala!
Nast, Condé. “Met Gala 2021 Red Carpet: See All Celebrity Dresses, Outfits & Looks Here.” Vogue, Vogue, 13 Sept. 2021, www.vogue.com/slideshow/met-gala-2021-red-carpet-live-celebrity-fashion.
“Lil NAS X Explained the Meaning behind His Three Met Gala Outfits, and Turns out It's Deeply Personal.” BuzzFeed, BuzzFeed, 14 Sept. 2021, www.buzzfeed.com/sydrobinson1/lil-nas-x-met-gala-outfits-meaning.
Nast, Condé. “Met Gala 2021 Red Carpet: See All Celebrity Dresses, Outfits & Looks Here.” Vogue, Vogue, 13 Sept. 2021, www.vogue.com/slideshow/met-gala-2021-red-carpet-live-celebrity-fashion.
Andrews, Arden Fanning. “Kid Cudi Brings Emo Beauty to the Met Gala Red Carpet.” Vogue, Vogue, 14 Sept. 2021, www.vogue.com/article/kid-cudi-met-gala-2021-beauty.
