8 Looks That Honored Black Dandyism At The 2025 Met Gala

“The first Monday in May” is something of an in-the-know phrase for those who follow the fashion industry. Every year, celebrities, industry legends and musicians alike attend one of—if not the—most coveted parties on the fashion calendar: the Met Gala.

Ostensibly a charity function, the Met Gala has grown to become an institution within a cross-section of industries. With each year bringing a new theme, stylists up the ante in new, creative ways. This year’s theme, Superfine: Tailoring Black Style, highlights the sartorial history of black dandyism and its influence on modern menswear today.

How did the attendees do embracing this year’s theme? Keep reading to find out.

A Brief History Of The Met Gala

The Met Gala of today is far from its more humble beginnings. Founded by fashion publicist Eleanor Lambert in 1948 as a fundraiser for the newly-opened Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, it has since grown to become one of the most exclusive industry events on the planet.

Under Vogue’s editor-in-chief Anna Wintour’s tutelage, the Met Gala has become something of a thing of legends. From Rihanna’s long-trained yellow gown in 2015 (the theme being “China: Through the Looking Glass”) to A$AP Rocky’s quilted statement piece (“In America: A Lexicon of Fashion”), every year seems to bring a broader definition to what fashion can be.

Understanding This Year’s Theme

This year’s theme is a historic one for the Met Gala. With its focus on black fashion, and especially menswear, co-chairs (Colman Domingo, Lewis Hamilton, A$AP Rocky, Pharrell Williams and Anna Wintour) have brought a new spotlight to an often-overlooked part of African-American sartorial history.

To understand black dandyism, one must look to the time period in which it emerged as both a style and a subtle act of resistance. As USA Today notes, In 18th century England, slave owners would often decorate their slaves in elegant clothing, as a way to flaunt their own wealth. “Luxury slaves” were a status symbol, but soon transformed into an act of resistance. These “dandified” slaves would find ways to make the costumery imposed on them their own, often adding small details that added personality and individualism into their clothing.

Fast-forwarding to Jim Crow-era United States, the power of clothing and what is signified was once again used as a powerful tool for the black community. Black dandyism, a vibrant cultural movement from Harlem to New Orleans began to take root. Black men would emphasize personal style, often with exaggerated tailored silhouettes, accessories and vibrant colors, eschewing the racial stereotypes of the era. These dandies were saying to their white counterparts, “I’m not dressing like you; I’m doing it better than you.”

The Best-Dressed Dandies Of The Night

Colman Domingo

Bad Bunny

Lewis Hamilton

A$AP Rocky

Doechii

Zendaya

Pharrell Williams

Jeremy O. Harris

Can’t Get Enough Black Excellence?

The Met Gala’s theme this year has introduced many to the concept of black dandyism and its sartorial history. If you’d like to explore more, be sure to visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art for their “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” exhibit from May 10 to October 26, 2025.