MET GALA PREDICTIONS: THE LOOKS WE WANT TO SEE

Will Met Gala legend Rihanna return this year?

Ahead of May’s infamous first Monday, we caught up with ASOS Styling Lead Kieran Clarke to brainstorm our Met Gala predictions. From previous Met Gala looks we’d like to see honoured to dresses and co-ords we’re sure will pop up on the carpet, we’ve covered all ground. Meet you back here on 5 May to see if our Met Gala predictions meet the mark.

Charli XCX on the Met Gala 2025 red carpet.

As is customary, this year’s Met Gala follows a creative yet open brief. The theme and dress code are often lumped together, but they’re two slightly different things – with the 2026 dress code ‘Fashion is Art’ complementing the wider ‘Costume Art’ concept. Guests are free to interpret both as they wish, but ‘Fashion is Art’ seems fitting given the artworks housed in The Met’s collection. And with art history spanning thousands of years, aesthetics and cultural moments, there’s plenty of source material to inspire a jaw-dropping red carpet.

Beyoncé is one of The Met Gala's 2026 co-chairs. 

The crème-de-la-crème of show business are selected to co-chair the event each year, and 2026 sees the turn of Met Gala legend Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman, Venus Williams and Anna Wintour. It’s an all-female line-up of style icons spanning music, film and sport, so we can only hope the Met Gala outfits will embody the same multihyphenate energy.

Zendaya's Met Gala looks have become the stuff of legend.

Ah, the million-dollar question. With such a star-studded guest list and broad dress code, this year’s Met Gala is an endless pool of possibility. But there are a few Met legends we’re sure will inspire this year's carpet more than most. Lady Gaga is one of Kieran's standouts: 'Lady Gaga has provided us with some of the greatest, most memorable red-carpet looks of all time, and I’m sure plenty of celebrities and their stylists will have her on their moodboards. The infamous ‘meat dress’ and Selva sculpture made from car parts spring to mind, but so many of her looks blur the line between clothing and art.'

The corset holds a special place in art history, adorning the muses of François Boucher and the Pre-Raphaelite brotherhood. But they’ve also become a historic treasure in their own right, spawning countless iterations in the world of modern fashion, from Vivienne Westwood to Schiaparelli. And thanks to our recent penchant for yearning, there was never a better time to wear one of these intricate designs. 'We'll continue to feel the impact of Wuthering Heights,' says Kieran, 'So expect a fearless, modern twist on period clothing.' 

GET THE LOOK: 

01: AFRM Ronnie high waisted tailored capri trouser co-ord in white polka dot, £90
02: House of CB Iman wine satin corset top in wine, £119
03: Oh Polly underwired corset top in pastel yellow, £60
04: ASOS LUXE satin bubble peplum cami top in red, £65

A more modern approach to the Met Gala theme might involve futuristic dresses and smooth, sculptural silhouettes. Think the abstract expressionism of Pollock and Krasner, or the bold colour blocking of Rothko. Then there’s the sharp lines and statements of modernist works, like Henry Moore’s bronze sculptures. According to Kieran, this year's theme 'will see lots of sheer and sculptural naked dresses the celebrate the human body in all it's beauty.' We’re expecting minimalist outfits with an unexpected twist – always working with the wearer’s body rather than simply building on top of it. 'I can't wait for expectant mothers like Adut Akech to embrace their bumps this year,' says Kieran.

GET THE LOOK: 
01: ASOS DESIGN bandeau maxi dress in yellow, £28
02: ASOS DESIGN scrunch one shoulder maxi dress in lilac scuba-style fabric, £55
03: ARRANGE sculptural one shoulder texture hybrid dress in buttermilk, £160
04: 4th & Reckless satin bandeau asymmetric drape layered maxi dress, £70

Our focus might be on the clothes, but the Met Gala red carpet is always a treasure trove of accessories. ‘Fashion Is Art’ welcomes a maximalist interpretation that could see our favourite celebrities adorned in oversized jewels, dramatic headpieces and diamond-encrusted fabrics. The Rococo period will be a key reference point for these looks, so we’ve got our hearts set on plenty of ostentatious ensembles. And as Kieran points out, accessories are a great way to bring a unique perspective. 'In the era of AI, everyone is looking for ways to push back against the mainstream. This year's Met Gala looks are sure to reject conformity in favour of intricate craftsmanship and handmade details.'

GET THE LOOK: 
01: Reclaimed Vintage wrap around ring in set multi stone in gold, £12.99
02: Accessorize flower beaded statement earrings in black, £18 (back soon)
03: ASOS DESIGN statement red flower earrings, £12
04: Mango statement pendent necklace in gold, £17.99
05: DesignB London statement resin stud earrings in brown, £12
06: ASOS DESIGN drop earrings with 3D floral design, £14 (back soon)

From The Birth of Venus to Klimt’s feminine portraits, art is overflowing with women in draped gowns. And after her legendary wet look at the 2019 Met Gala, we’re betting Kim Kardashian arrives in dramatic drapery this year. We’re talking tumbles of romantic white fabric that evoke a woman just risen from bed, walking softly around her moonlit garden. This is catnip for art history-lovers and fashion aficionados alike – and we wait with bated breath to see who it inspires on the Met Gala carpet.

GET THE LOOK: 

01: Six Stories Bridal stretch cap sleeve corsage midaxi dress in white, £120
02: ASOS DESIGN bridal drape bandeau maxi wedding dress in ivory, £175
03: ARRANGE drape midi dress with balloon sleeve and hardware, £140
04: Wanderdoll Eman sleeveless slash neck satin drape dress in white, £90