The 2026 Met Gala promised to turn the red carpet into a high-fashion museum, but for some celebrities, the "Fashion Is Art" theme resulted in a total gallery disaster.
While the "Costume Art" exhibition celebrated innovation, these stars managed to find the fine line between avant-garde and "what were they thinking?"
Bored Panda has compiled the most polarising and panned looks that had the internet talking for all the wrong reasons.
Here are the looks that proved not all art belongs in a frame.
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#2 Anna Wintour
Anna Wintour, queen of the Met Gala, interpreted the “Costume Art” theme in a custom Chanel turquoise and black embroidered gown with a large feathery jacket.
She kept her iconic blunt bob, heavy bangs, and oversized sunglasses.
However, hosting didn’t shield her from online critiques. While the look remained classic Anna, many fans questioned the repetitive silhouette, with one user writing, “girl she looks like a flightless bird. delete this now."
Another pointed out the lack of evolution in her style, adding, "She’s been wearing variations of this same silhouette for 15 years. Innovation where? Or do we just keep praising her because it’s Anna?"
A third noted the irony of being the person in charge while "always looking chopped at your own event" wasn't lost on the crowd.
One frustrated viewer wrote, "She's worn this in a different color before. She's so lazy and tasteless that it's actually shocking," while another simply joked that the "curse of being worst dressed guest is finally broken."
She kept her iconic blunt bob, heavy bangs, and oversized sunglasses.
However, hosting didn’t shield her from online critiques. While the look remained classic Anna, many fans questioned the repetitive silhouette, with one user writing, “girl she looks like a flightless bird. delete this now."
Another pointed out the lack of evolution in her style, adding, "She’s been wearing variations of this same silhouette for 15 years. Innovation where? Or do we just keep praising her because it’s Anna?"
A third noted the irony of being the person in charge while "always looking chopped at your own event" wasn't lost on the crowd.
One frustrated viewer wrote, "She's worn this in a different color before. She's so lazy and tasteless that it's actually shocking," while another simply joked that the "curse of being worst dressed guest is finally broken."
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#3 Sam Smith
Sam Smith brought a dark, showstopping drama to the Met Gala, arriving as a literal work of art on the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art to highlight the event’s art-centric theme.
To match the dress code, Sam w
ore an art-inspired black mermaid gown by partner Christian Cowan.
The dramatic look included a fuzzy collar, winged sleeves, and a towering feathered headpiece.
Social media users were unmoved by the theatrical outfit, with many finding the look more “spooky” than “stunning.”
One viewer ruthlessly commented, "Sam Smith really paid six figures to show up looking like a budget Grim Reaper in that dusty black robe? Met Gala theme said 'fashion is art' and he brought 'funeral director on clearance.'"
The criticism only intensified as the night went on, with another fan bluntly writing, "Well? Unarrive him," while a third critic lamented, "Every time I see this man he always finds a way to look worse."
To match the dress code, Sam w
ore an art-inspired black mermaid gown by partner Christian Cowan.
The dramatic look included a fuzzy collar, winged sleeves, and a towering feathered headpiece.
Social media users were unmoved by the theatrical outfit, with many finding the look more “spooky” than “stunning.”
One viewer ruthlessly commented, "Sam Smith really paid six figures to show up looking like a budget Grim Reaper in that dusty black robe? Met Gala theme said 'fashion is art' and he brought 'funeral director on clearance.'"
The criticism only intensified as the night went on, with another fan bluntly writing, "Well? Unarrive him," while a third critic lamented, "Every time I see this man he always finds a way to look worse."
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#4 Heidi Klum
A person in a flowing, statue-like white gown and veiled face, among the worst dressed stars at Met Gala 2026.
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#5 Lisa
Lisa made a surrealist splash at the 2026 Met Gala in an avant-garde custom Robert Win creation that, in line with the 'Costume Art' theme, featured 3D-printed arms modeled after her own to hold up a shimmering sheer veil.
While the host committee member certainly committed to the “Costume Art” theme, the bridal-adjacent aesthetic led confused fans to ask, “Is she getting married?? Did she get the memo?"
Another compared the veil to a "mosquito net or something."
While the host committee member certainly committed to the “Costume Art” theme, the bridal-adjacent aesthetic led confused fans to ask, “Is she getting married?? Did she get the memo?"
Another compared the veil to a "mosquito net or something."
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#7 Katy Perry
Perry took her E.T. persona to new heights at the Met Gala, arriving in a look that was truly out of this world.
Embracing the theme, the 41-year-old singer donned a white, strapless Stella McCartney gown paired with elbow-length gloves and a long, dramatic train.
However, she remained almost unrecognizable under a white and silver astronaut-inspired helmet mask, a nod to her real-life space travels with Blue Origin last year.
The internet’s reaction to her lunar-chic ensemble was less than stellar, with many questioning if the “Costume Art” theme had gone too far.
One commenter bluntly asked, "Is she coming from Space?" while another lamented the departure from traditional elegance, wondering if the event had "officially lost the plot".
The confusion continued with fans asking, "I’m sorry but what about this gives art?" and urging the singer to make a quick change, noting, "Katy it’s not late to change this".
Embracing the theme, the 41-year-old singer donned a white, strapless Stella McCartney gown paired with elbow-length gloves and a long, dramatic train.
However, she remained almost unrecognizable under a white and silver astronaut-inspired helmet mask, a nod to her real-life space travels with Blue Origin last year.
The internet’s reaction to her lunar-chic ensemble was less than stellar, with many questioning if the “Costume Art” theme had gone too far.
One commenter bluntly asked, "Is she coming from Space?" while another lamented the departure from traditional elegance, wondering if the event had "officially lost the plot".
The confusion continued with fans asking, "I’m sorry but what about this gives art?" and urging the singer to make a quick change, noting, "Katy it’s not late to change this".
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#8 Cara Delevingne
Before heading off on her new music tour, Delevingne made a pit stop at the 2026 Met Gala to take the sheer-dress trend to a daring new level.
She wore a sleeveless high-neck velvet gown, modest in front but featuring a dramatic “b*tt-crack illusion” in the back.
Intricate beadwork snaked down a sheer mesh panel, showing a glimpse of skin, paired with a dark goth-glam look and tight hair knot.
Despite the intricate beading, social media reactions showed skepticism about the artistic merit of the sheer panels.
Critics quickly flooded social media to point out a lack of connection to the event’s art-inspired dress code, with one commenter flatly saying, "Where is the fashion? Where's the Artttttt?" and another agreeing that she "Didn't get the memo regarding the theme."
While bold in its exposure, many found the gown lacked impact for fashion’s biggest night. One viewer called it a “bold interpretation of absolutely nothing.”
Others simply said, "Nothing is serving" and "The dress is boring."
She wore a sleeveless high-neck velvet gown, modest in front but featuring a dramatic “b*tt-crack illusion” in the back.
Intricate beadwork snaked down a sheer mesh panel, showing a glimpse of skin, paired with a dark goth-glam look and tight hair knot.
Despite the intricate beading, social media reactions showed skepticism about the artistic merit of the sheer panels.
Critics quickly flooded social media to point out a lack of connection to the event’s art-inspired dress code, with one commenter flatly saying, "Where is the fashion? Where's the Artttttt?" and another agreeing that she "Didn't get the memo regarding the theme."
While bold in its exposure, many found the gown lacked impact for fashion’s biggest night. One viewer called it a “bold interpretation of absolutely nothing.”
Others simply said, "Nothing is serving" and "The dress is boring."
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#9 Lena Dunham
Returning for the first time since 2019, Lena Dunham dove into the “Custom Art” theme as a host committee member.
She wore a showgirl-inspired Valentino gown with a high neckline and a thigh-high slit.
The dress, covered in sequins, featured dramatic red feathers up to her chin.
The internet, however, was not exactly tickled by the feathered look.
Critics quickly called the look more “bizarre” than “artistic,” with one observer asking, "Did she cut open a bird, eat the insides, and wear its skin?"
The overwhelming volume of the feathers made for a polarizing visual, leading another fan to admit, "I was suffocating looking at that."
One more user bluntly added, "Someone should have pulled her aside and told her the truth. She looks ridiculous."
She wore a showgirl-inspired Valentino gown with a high neckline and a thigh-high slit.
The dress, covered in sequins, featured dramatic red feathers up to her chin.
The internet, however, was not exactly tickled by the feathered look.
Critics quickly called the look more “bizarre” than “artistic,” with one observer asking, "Did she cut open a bird, eat the insides, and wear its skin?"
The overwhelming volume of the feathers made for a polarizing visual, leading another fan to admit, "I was suffocating looking at that."
One more user bluntly added, "Someone should have pulled her aside and told her the truth. She looks ridiculous."
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#10 Olivia Wilde
Wilde attempted to elevate the little black dress at the 2026 Met Gala, arriving in a custom Thom Browne column gown featuring a deconstructed leather cage and tufts of white tulle, a creative interpretation of the night's 'Costume Art' prompt.
While the front was minimal chic, the rear silhouette left fans baffled by the structural surprise.
The internet criticized the experimental bustle, with one observer asking, "Is that a horse halter? That is not where that goes."
The burst of white tulle at the back prompted the pointed comment that she "looks like a bride is stuck in the back of her dress."
While the front was minimal chic, the rear silhouette left fans baffled by the structural surprise.
The internet criticized the experimental bustle, with one observer asking, "Is that a horse halter? That is not where that goes."
The burst of white tulle at the back prompted the pointed comment that she "looks like a bride is stuck in the back of her dress."
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#11 Luke Evans
Evans arrived at the 2026 Met Gala in a studded, all-leather ensemble inspired by the artwork of Tom of Finland, a bold pivot from his current Broadway role in The Rocky Horror Show.
Though the look was intended as a “Costume Art” tribute, many online felt the leather cap and biker silhouette resulted in confusion, asking, “What is he supposed to be? A sailor?”
Another described the look as “creepy,” while a third called it “low budget officer.”
Though the look was intended as a “Costume Art” tribute, many online felt the leather cap and biker silhouette resulted in confusion, asking, “What is he supposed to be? A sailor?”
Another described the look as “creepy,” while a third called it “low budget officer.”
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