The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute Gala is like fashion Christmas at the PEOPLE StyleWatch offices. Last year we included 73 gorgeous gowns in our gallery because we just had to share all the stunners with you. And because we love a challenge, we each agonized over our all-time favorite Met Gala gowns from the past to get you excited for Monday night’s big bash.
Larry Busacca/Getty
Associate Editor Brittany Talarico: Everyone wants to be the belle of the Met Gala ball, and when Jennifer Lopez hit the red carpet at the fashion fête in 2010, she won the title hands down.
Her sequin-dusted Zuhair Murad Haute Couture strapless gown looks otherworldly, which, when it comes to the Met Ball Fashion Bible, is the whole point. Plus, she tops everything with Cartier jewels. Thanks J.Lo , for brining a style editor’s fairytale to life!
Ron Galella/WireImage
Style Director Andrea Lavinthal: If the Met Gala is the prom of the fashion world, I’m declaring Gisele Bündchen and Tom Brady the queen and king of the night.
Every year the world’s most genetically blessed couple arrive looking hotter than any two people have a right to. And in 2010 the then new parents absolutely killed it on the red carpet.
While everyone else went with a gown, Gisele wore a smoking hot black leather Alexander Wang fringed minidress with smoldering eye makeup and a sexy high ponytail. And her best accessory kept it classic in a sleek Tom Ford tux and slicked-back hair.
Stephen Lovekin/FilmMagic
Senior style editor Zoë Ruderman: Daisy Buchanan can keep all those drop-waisted, ’20s-inspired, flapper Miuccia Prada designs and I’ll stick with the this futuristic Prada creation, thankyouverymuch.
When Carey Mulligan hit the red carpet last year wearing the gold-and-silver paillette design with its halter neckline and A-line silhouette, my immediate reaction was, I’d like to wear that to my wedding. (And really, is there any greater compliment coming from a 20something woman that can bestowed upon a dress?)
The fact that I’m not engaged has not stopped me from daydreaming about wearing this showstopper (which looked so incredible on the actress with her voluminous updo and coordinating heels) down the aisle someday.
Kevin Mazur/WireImage
Style news editor Alex Apatoff: Because I’m a cheesy sucker for a big, beautiful ballgown, I couldn’t help but choose Doutzen Kroes’s ridiculously beautiful, cloudlike Zac Posen confection from 2010.
What do I love most about it? Don’t make me choose. It’s a tie between the beautiful multi-colored effect made by the many layers of tulle, the insanely long train, the delicate sleeves and the fact that the Met Gala is literally the only place you could wear a gown like this — aside from Disneyworld, perhaps.
Not that I’d let that stop me from wearing it everywhere if I ever got my hands on it, of course…
Tell us: What’s your all-time favorite Met Gala gown?
