“No Modesty Anymore”: 17 Sheer Met Gala Looks That Broke The Internet For All The Wrong Reasons

For the 2021 theme “In America: A Lexicon of Fashion” with the dress code “American Independence,” Kendall Jenner delivered a glamorous tribute to Old Hollywood. 

She wore a custom Givenchy Haute Couture gown designed by Matthew M. Williams, reimagining the iconic dress Audrey Hepburn wore in My Fair Lady.

The sheer illusion tulle gown was intricately hand-embroidered with thousands of crystals, crystal flowers, and fringes, creating a shimmering, second-skin effect. 

It featured rounded crystal epaulets at the shoulders and built-in sheer gloves, adding to its dramatic, couture finish.

In contrast to Hepburn’s original design, which included a silk underlayer, Jenner’s version embraced transparency, revealing skin-toned undergarments beneath the crystal-embellished structure. 

The piece reportedly required more than 30 artisans and more than 2,500 hours of meticulous hand-beading to complete.

Kendall accessorized with a bold, jewel-encrusted choker that mirrored the one worn in the film. Her makeup, created by Mary Phillips, featured black winged liner and white eyeshadow to echo Hepburn’s signature eye makeup. 

Jenner attended the event alongside Matthew M. Williams rather than her then-boyfriend Devin Booker. 

While some at the time questioned how a French couture house fit the American-themed dress code, the look was positioned as a nod to the longstanding cultural exchange between French fashion and American style.

Despite the well-intentioned tribute to the late, legendary actress, Jenner’s look seemed to backfire online, especially because of the sheer elements. 

One user fumed, “Audry Hepburn would never! This sheer looks are getting ridiculous!”

Another in agreement added, “Another exquisite dress ruined by beige underwear. RIP.”

One comment read, “Being able to see the underwear ruins an otherwise gorgeous gown. They could have lined it to match her skin tone.”

“I agree with others… that the sheer dress 'look' is not classy enough for Audrey Hepburn's style. She certainly wouldn't have been seen with her knickers on show.”

At the 2015 Met Gala, themed “China: Through the Looking Glass,” Jennifer Lopez delivered one of the night’s most memorable looks in a daring Atelier Versace gown, custom-designed by Donatella Versace.

The sheer, skin-toned silk tulle gown featured an intricate red sequined dragon that wrapped around her torso, with beaded crimson flames encircling the hem.

The one-shoulder silhouette incorporated strategic illusion panels, leaving the back and sides exposed while highlighting her signature curves.

Lopez kept her accessories relatively minimal, opting for simple earrings and a red Swarovski crystal power clutch.

She walked the carpet side-by-side with Donatella Versace, who served as her date for the evening.

Her makeup was done by artist Mary Phillips, who used a blend of reds, oranges, and peaches to create an East Asian-inspired palette.

Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Phillips described the look as subtle yet thematic, explaining, “The makeup really ties into the red dragon theme, but in a very subtle way… I would definitely call this glow a ‘special occasion’ glow.”

For the 2015 theme “China: Through the Looking Glass,” Beyoncé delivered her take on the theme in a custom Givenchy Haute Couture gown designed by Riccardo Tisci.

The design featured a sheer, skin-tone tulle base, intricately adorned with strategically placed multicolored Swarovski crystals and stones. 

Despite its barely-there appearance, stylist Ty Hunter later revealed that the gown was one of the heaviest Beyoncé had ever worn, highlighting the craftsmanship behind the illusion.

She styled the look with a sky-high blonde ponytail, paired with luminous skin and bold blue winged eyeliner. 

Completing the ensemble, she wore suede, skin-toned Givenchy platform heels with a red stiletto, designed to blend seamlessly with the red carpet, creating the illusion of floating.

Beyoncé arrived at the event alongside husband Jay-Z nearly an hour and a half late, after the red carpet had officially closed. Her entrance was so delayed that many photographers had already begun leaving. 

Prior to stepping out, she teased the look with a series of elevator photos, building anticipation for one of the night’s most iconic fashion moments.

Reacting to her look, one fan wrote, “She is such a pretty woman that she makes everything look good, but I am not drawn to this style.”

Meanwhile, others gushed over the look, saying, “2015 met gala, she so reckless when she rock her givenchy dress… This dress is one of my favorites and she has so many iconic red carpet moments but this one idk it's just perfection.”

At the 2017 Met Gala, themed “Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons: Art of the In-Between,” Bella Hadid turned heads in a daring, skin-tight catsuit custom-designed by Alexander Wang.

The fabric-less look took the form of a completely sheer black lace jumpsuit, intricately beaded and embroidered. 

It featured a boat neckline and a plunging scoop back, with the construction being so precise that Hadid was reportedly sewn into the outfit just hours before the event to ensure a flawless fit.

For styling, she debuted a shoulder-grazing bob cut created specifically for the night, and accessorized with matching diamond snake cuffs by Bulgari on both wrists, and wore pointed black pumps.

The appearance was widely labeled a “revenge look” by the media, marking her first major public outing after her breakup with The Weeknd, who made his red carpet debut that same evening with Selena Gomez. 

Hadid arrived alongside designer Alexander Wang as her date.

She was also featured in the now-famous “illegal” bathroom selfie with Gigi Hadid, Kendall Jenner, and A$AP Rocky, a moment that violated the strict no-selfie, no-social-media ban enforced by Met Gala chair Anna Wintour.

One critic mocked her look, saying, “Shes giving me Disney villain vibes,” while another added, “It's understandable… since it looks like one of Madonna's desperate getups.”

“What the hell is she wearing??? Not high fashion at all… She looks like a kid playing cat woman or something,” remarked a third. 

Others expressed, “These tall thin women seem to spend their time trying to find the most unflattering outfits possible. WHHHYYY?”

“Like my grandmother used to say, ‘Just because it fits, doesn't mean you should wear it.’”

For the 2024 dress code “The Garden of Time,” Rita Ora arrived in a daring sheer, beaded illusion gown custom-designed by Marni, a look that quickly became one of the most talked-about of the night.

The dress was constructed from cascading strands of multicolored beads, reportedly sourced from North Africa and Europe, some dating back to the 1st and 2nd centuries BC. 

These historic elements were combined with Murano glass beads from the 1940s to the 1970s, with the strands draped over a completely sheer bodysuit, giving the illusion of bare skin beneath a shimmering curtain of beads.

The design also featured high slits on both sides and was supported by a handmade metal structure at the neckline.

In tune with the theme, Ora’s look symbolized the enduring nature of beauty, how it can transcend generations through preserved materials and craftsmanship.

She accessorized the piece with ornate Buccellati rings crafted from gold, emeralds, diamonds, sapphires, and rubies.

The look was completed with strappy matching sandal heels and a sculptural mini Trunkaroo bag molded from polished brass.

The singer attended the event alongside her husband, Taika Waititi, who coordinated in a head-to-toe chocolate brown leather Marni suit.

Reacting to her bold choice, one critic wrote online, “It looks like she took the leftover background from last weekend's bachelorette trip, tied a string around her waist, and called it a day lol.”

Another dded, “I’m sorry but rita never serves… like this dress is so out of place for the met/theme…”

“It's a shame they didn't make the n*de parts match her actual skin tone, compeletely ruins the illusion,” remarked a third. 

Another comment read, “Does that make Rita the drapes? Her dress certainly resembles a pushed aside curtain lol.”

At the 2011 Met Gala, themed “Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty,” Rihanna opted for a look that balanced gothic romance with modern glamour. 

While the evening honored the legacy of Alexander McQueen, she opted for a custom one-sleeved gown by Stella McCartney, a close friend of the late designer.

The semi-sheer black lace gown featured a shimmering finish, a scalloped one-shoulder neckline, and a built-in skiing-colored slip for coverage. 

It also featured a daring side slit that partially revealed her waist and her strappy black stilettos by Christian Louboutin. 

Rihanna wore her signature fiery red hair, defining her Loud era, in an extra-long, Rapunzel-esque side braid draped over her shoulder. 

She accessorized with dangling emerald earrings by Wilfredo Rosado and carried a beaded black clutch.

One netizen said, “That visible mesh [on her waist] was both unattractive and distracting.”

Others chimed in, “Rihanna's hair and earrings are giving boho girl goes to brunch, they dont match the dress at all. The strappy heels… also bring down the look. overall its a total miss for me.”

“That mesh on Rihanna’s dress is just unfortunate. It’s like they ran out of fabric and just used that as backup.”

For the 2017 event, themed “Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons: Art of the In-Between,” Kendall Jenner leaned fully into the night’s avant-garde spirit with a custom La Perla Haute Couture gown designed by then-creative director Julia Haart.

The dress featured a completely fabric-less silhouette, constructed from 85,000 hand-painted crystals strung together on a single piece of strong, thin nylon thread.

The intricate piece took over 160 hours to design and required the work of 60 people across five different cities, making it as much a technical feat as a fashion statement.

The sheer mesh design also featured a dramatic front cut-out across the torso, a thigh-high slit, and a backless finish that revealed matching black underwear.

The supermodel paired the look with matching black mesh pumps by Christian Louboutin.

Keeping her makeup simple, Jenner opted for a striking red lip, alongside a messy, tousled wet-look bob that added to the edgy aesthetic.

She was also seen spending time with A$AP Rocky throughout the evening, with many outlets dubbing him her unofficial date for the night.

At the 2021 Met Gala 2021, themed “In America: A Lexicon of Fashion,” Zoë Kravitz embraced a daring interpretation of minimalist glamour in a custom Saint Laurent gown by Anthony Vaccarello. 

The floor-length crystal mesh slip dress was almost entirely sheer, featuring an intricate, jeweled chainmail pattern that subtly incorporated the YSL monogram into the design.

Beneath the dress, she wore a matching glittering underwear and a barely-there string bralette as her only coverage. 

Her signature micro-braids were parted down the middle and pulled back into a sleek updo, while her makeup featured winged eyeliner and a peach-toned lip that let her natural freckles shine through. 

She completed the look with diamond double-drop earrings by Jessica McCormack.

While she walked the carpet solo, Kravitz was later seen leaving the event with Channing Tatum, fueling ongoing romance rumors at the time, as their relationship had not yet been publicly confirmed.

The look sparked intense debate online, with some critics calling it “too revealing.” 

Comments ranged from “She crazy, and too daring!!!! All for attention!!!!” to “I used to have a shopping net that looked like that minus the jewels,” and “It’s sad everything is exposed. No modesty anymore. She is a beautiful woman, no need to show everything…”

Kravitz later revealed that the backlash led her to delete her Instagram photos and take a break from the platform, noting that people seemed to forget she was human. 

In response to one critic, she famously wrote, “Being uncomfortable with the human body is colonization/brainwashing. It’s just a body. We all got em.”

At the 2025 “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” gala with the dress code “Tailored for You,” Halle Berry made a bold return to the red carpet after nearly a decade. 

The event spotlighted the history and culture of Black dandyism, encouraging tailored, menswear-inspired interpretations.

Berry wore a custom creation by LaQuan Smith, a sheer, body-hugging mermaid-style gown featuring a plunging neckline. 

The design was crafted from alternating panels of sheer mesh and black Japanese bugle-bead embroidery, forming a bold, striped pattern across the silhouette. 

She accessorized with a pillbox hat by Jennifer Behr, complete with a delicate black mesh veil, and debuted the Tsagaan high jewelry set from Cartier. 

The standout piece, a snow leopard necklace crafted from white gold, diamonds, and onyx, reportedly took over 1,000 hours to create.

This marked Halle’s second Met Gala appearance and her first since 2017. 

The outfit’s extreme transparency, particularly around the lower portion, sparked widespread online debate, with critics questioning its appropriateness and even calling it “hideous.” 

One person said, “She has a lot more faith in dress tape than I do, because if I were wearing this, I would be so afraid of my v*g making an appearance in the sheer stripe like.”

Another user wrote, “This is the worst thing she’s ever worn... But she’s still Halle Berry and looks like that so…”

“She somehow found a dress that is unflattering on her, and I didn't think that was possible,” remarked a third. 

“The idea is interesting, but not the execution… The dress didn't need to show her groin. It's just too obviously trying to be outrageous… she doesn't even look happy wearing it.”

At the 2024 Met Gala’s “The Garden of Time” theme, Elle Fanning stepped onto the carpet in a custom Balmain creation that gave the illusion as though it had been sculpted from glass.

Despite its translucent, glass-like finish, the off-the-shoulder gown was crafted from organza hand-coated in four layers of resin to achieve the glass-like effect. 

The structure was strikingly architectural, with the dress seemingly suspended from two sculpted resin birds perched at her shoulders.

The look directly referenced the crystal flowers from J. G. Ballard’s short story The Garden of Time, with Fanning describing her persona for the night as a “glass statue” reawakened in a magical garden. 

Many also interpreted the ensemble as a subtle nod to her role as Princess Aurora in Maleficent, particularly the iconic scene where birds help dress the princess.

She accessorized with diamond-encrusted leaf earrings by Cartier and opted for a dewy, luminous makeup look that enhanced the gown’s icy, ethereal quality. 

However, due to the rigid resin construction, Fanning revealed that the dress was so stiff that sitting was virtually impossible for her inside the venue. 

Elle’s subtle take on a sheer trend was largely hailed as a “breathtaking masterpiece” by fans.

One admirer gushed, “She looks like an angel just all the time! This look is so flattering too.”

Another wrote, “Totally old romantic… Everything about it looks so pretty and light but it’s still enough to make the perfect statement.”

“I’ve never uttered this in my life but…yasssss Queen. She looks divinely ethereal.”

The 2023 gala paid tribute to the late fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld with the theme “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty.” 

Janelle Monáe delivered one of the night’s most theatrical, multi-layered looks in a custom Thom Browne ensemble. 

The design paid tribute to Lagerfeld through its signature black-and-white palette and structured tailoring.

She arrived in an oversized, trapezoidal black-and-white tweed tuxedo jacket featuring mismatched patterns, layered over a button-up dress. 

For the big reveal on the Met steps, her entourage helped remove the outer layer to unveil a cone-shaped, sheer black tulle pannier dress beneath.

Under the sheer wireframe structure, Monáe revealed a sparkling black-and-white bikini adorned with strands of pearls and rhinestones, adding a bold twist to the tribute. 

She accessorized with a white leather quilted bag shaped like Choupette, Lagerfeld’s beloved pet, and completed the look with extra-high black-and-white platform sneaker heels.

The moment carried personal significance for Monáe, who made her Met Gala debut in 2011 with Lagerfeld himself as her date. 

Reflecting on the tribute, she told People magazine, “I went with Karl, so this is sort of full circle for us to be honoring him. I'm really excited about what we'll do.”

At the 1974 Met Gala, themed “Romantic and Glamorous Hollywood Design,” Cher delivered a moment that would go on to define the event’s red carpet history. 

Often credited with introducing the original “n*ked dress,” her look pushed boundaries at a time when such daring fashion was virtually unheard of.

The ensemble was a custom creation by her longtime collaborator Bob Mackie. 

Crafted from soufflé, a delicate French fabric that was reportedly restricted in the U.S. at the time, the material was sprayed onto her body to create a seamless, second-skin effect. 

The result was a sheer, floor-length design encrusted with thousands of crystals, white ostrich feather trim at the cuffs and hem, and strategically adorned with embellishments. 

The legendary singer styled her signature jet-black hair long, straight, and center-parted, pairing it with glittering purple eyeshadow, dramatic lashes, and bold, shiny lips. 

Cher later famously wore the same piece for a photoshoot by Richard Avedon, with the image landing on the March 1975 cover of Time magazine. 

The issue reportedly faced bans in several cities, yet sold out almost immediately, cementing the look’s place in fashion history.

One admirer wrote, “Her outfit was way ahead of the times. Kardashians/Jenners and Beyonce all mimic this feathery dress look today! Cher is in a league of her own.”

Another netizen said, “Cher wearing the same dress twice makes me feel better about me wearing my favorite dress 200 times.”

“Bob Mackie’s glorious designs and Cher’s gorgeous face and physique are a match made in heaven.”

At the 2024 Met Gala, themed “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion” with the dress code “The Garden of Time,” Emily Ratajkowski hit the red carpet in a vintage gown from Atelier Versace’s Fall/Winter 2001 couture collection. 

The crystallized, semi-transparent silver gown featured intricate beading arranged in a delicate petal-and-leaf pattern. 

From the front, the design appeared relatively modest, with a high neckline and long sleeves. However, the standout element was the dramatic, plunging back cutout that extended down to the top of her tailbone. 

During an on-carpet interview with Emma Chamberlain, Ratajkowski described the look as “business in the front, party in the back,” highlighting the contrast in the gown’s design.

The archival piece was reportedly sourced from Tab Vintage, tying into the evening’s theme of reviving rare, delicate garments. 

She accessorized with over 108 carats of yellow diamonds from Chopard, adding an expensive finishing touch to the look.

The appearance marked her return to the Met Gala red carpet, after last attending the event in 2022.

One fashion critic criticized her ensemble, writing, “Is there any decency among famous people anymore… Wearing a tablecloth! Really?”

“Seriously put some clothes on so gross,” another said, while a third commented, “Imagine how truly hot she would be if she ever showed class while dressing.”

“Showing off your cheeks as a gala outfit is CRAZY… we call this a swimsuit cover-up!”

At the 2024 gala’s dress code, “The Garden of Time,” Doja Cat delivered one of the night’s most unconventional and viral fashion moments in a custom look by Vetements, designed by Guram Gvasalia.

The outfit was an oversized, floor-length white cotton T-shirt dress that appeared completely soaked. 

Rather than water, the fabric was saturated with hair gel to maintain its clinging, semi-transparent effect throughout the night. 

While many attendees leaned into florals, the Paint the Town Red singer offered her own interpretation of the theme, explaining that cotton is the “most-used flower.” 

Her makeup was equally striking, featuring “mascara tears,” shimmering chrome streaks designed to resemble tears streaming down her face, created by renowned makeup artist Pat McGrath. 

Before even stepping onto the carpet, she appeared outside The Mark Hotel, wrapped in two white bathroom towels, one labeled “Dress,” paired with clear platform heels.

Despite the intentionally casual silhouette, she elevated the look with nearly $5 million worth of yellow diamonds from Jacob & Co., including statement stud and drop earrings. 

Given the unconventional nature of the look, the internet was quick to react, with social media flooded with humorous criticism.

One critic quipped, “If it's actually wet she's gonna look really weird later on when it dries and she's just wearing a big crumpled white sheet…”

Another user joked, “And I'd like to know how she'd sit down in it aswell, she'd just ruin any furniture she comes into contact with, gross.”

A third added, “She is not always trying to look beautiful & snatched even though she is truly beautiful. But this?? I don’t even know what she is going for.”

Another comment read, “I hate it. So awkward watching her walk the entire carpet alternating which t*t she’s holding, the whole thing just looks tacky for the Met.”

“It’s not interesting. If you look at her. it’s like she’s trying to parody Bianca Censori, which is a choice, I guess.”

The theme of the 2013 event was “Punk: Chaos to Couture,” and Anne Hathaway fully embraced the night’s rebellious spirit. 

The theme explored the clash between p*nk’s DIY roots and high-fashion craftsmanship, and leaning into it, Anne wore a vintage gown from Valentino’s 1992 archives, personally sourced after she asked Valentino Garavani if he had ever created a p*nk dress. 

The floor-length black design featured provocative sheer mesh panels, tiger-stripe beading, and tufts of black ostrich feathers at the wrists. 

The most talked-about element of her look, however, was her platinum blonde pixie cut. Having already cropped her hair for Les Misérables, Hathaway dyed it specifically for the gala to channel icon Debbie Harry of the band Blondie.

She amplified the edgy aesthetic with electric-blue and purple eyeshadow and neon leopard-print nails painted in shades of yellow, green, and pink. 

The appearance also marked her first major red carpet since winning her Oscar earlier that year. 

While some dubbed her look a “mess” due to the multiple clashing colors and elements, others called it “one of her best, for sure.”

Some even said she should bring back the iconic blonde look.

At the 2023 Met Gala, themed “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty,” Rachel Brosnahan stepped away from her signature The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel polish to deliver one of her most risqué looks yet.

She wore a transparent black gown by Sergio Hudson, embracing a darker, more gothic aesthetic for the night. 

The bodice featured sheer black mesh, with dark crystals strategically placed across her breast and scattered beading extending along the sleeves. 

The design flowed into a low-waisted, floor-length black skirt with a dramatic train, adding movement and contrast to the structured top.

Styled by Owen Gould, Brosnahan’s hair was pulled back into a sleek, knotted ponytail, while her makeup featured intense smoky eyes and a terracotta-toned lip. 

She completed the look with diamond jewelry by Simon G., including an intricate ear cuff and multiple rings.

The ensemble served as a “goth glam” homage to a 1992 Chloé design by Karl Lagerfeld. 

This marked Brosnahan’s third Met Gala appearance, following her 2019 debut for the “Camp” theme and her striking gold look at the 2022 “Gilded Glamour” event.

Many viewers harshly labeled her look “glam trash,” with one netizen commenting, “Poor girl don't have money to buy br*.”

Another said, “I think the way the sequin-ni**les are rendered makes it look a bit like she has a real gnarly infection or something…”

At the 2003 gala themed “Goddess: The Classical Mode,” Victoria Beckham made her Met debut with a look that leaned more Y2K than Grecian muse. 

The event, co-chaired by Nicole Kidman, Tom Ford, and Anna Wintour, marked the gala’s return after its 2002 cancellation.

The pop star stepped out in a lingerie-inspired sheer mini dress by Dolce & Gabbana. 

The delicate, see-through slip embraced the era’s signature underwear-as-outerwear trend, featuring sparkling accents and hand-applied crystal embellishments across the fabric. 

While the look was largely modern, its Roman-style cut offered a subtle nod to the evening’s classical theme.

She styled the dress with strappy stilettos and leaned into full early-2000s glam, complete with a deep “tan,” heavy makeup, and a voluminous blowout. 

This marked Victoria’s first-ever Met Gala appearance, and she arrived not with David Beckham but hand-in-hand with supermodel Naomi Campbell. 

She was also accompanied by the designers themselves, Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana, as she continued carving out her post-Spice Girls identity in the fashion world.

However, her look was widely deemed to miss the mark for the night’s theme by many viewers. One user commented, “Victorias dress was an odd choice for the met gala!”