Janelle, Tyla, Colman: best and worst dressed at the Met Gala

BEST

JANELLE MONÁE

ROSALÍA

Pure perfection. How else do you represent tailored wear than with a marble bust? The high-necked dress was flawless, with a ruched skintight mermaid silhouette dress that worked beautifully with Rosalía's pared-back accessorising and slicked-back hair. 

SABRINA CARPENTER

Sabrina Carpenter has spent the better parts of the last two years showcasing fun and whimsical cocktail A-line dresses and cocktail waitress suits. The latter has become one of her signature looks and she chose to highlight it with a burgundy bodysuit dripping with diamond-encrusted buttons.

SHABOOZEY

Turquoise was the must-have colour in Shaboozey's look that cinched his all-grey suit, with a colourful beaded bodice that matched his grills.

TEYANA TAYLOR

While many might think of the distinguished style attributed to dandyism, there's also the over-the-top looks made famous by “pimps” that Teyana Taylor made a nod to. Also going for grey with her suit, the majestic cape she wore over it matched with her platformed heels, leather gloves, waistcoat and dramatic hat, with a feather made famous by black dandies (then called macaronies). The outfit was finished with layers of glittering diamonds.

TESSA THOMPSON

In a coat dress, Tessa Thompson showed off her more whimsical side in an exaggerated silhouette topped with a Willy Wonka-esque top hat. Her high boots created length so the outfit didn't overwhelm her.

SAM SMITH

Regal and sophisticated, Sam Smith embraced his curves with fitted trousers and a kimono that doubled as a suit and ruffled skirt, to create a unique yet fashionable shape.

YARA SHAHIDI

Great attempts were made at oversized looks but few were pulled off as well as that of Yara Shahidi. The tailoring efforts had to be outstanding so that it was not a slouchy mess, and Shahidi's ensemble worked through the black-and-grey combo with copper peeping through from her shirt and slim necktie. The feminine cut of her suit worked well to prevent it from drowning her.

WORST

COLMAN DOMINGO

TYLA

After a brilliant debut, Tyla's second Met Gala look left a lot to be desired. Styled by Law Roach, the look was a nod to Talley but seemingly got lost in a Tim Burton flick. Nothing fitted well and her honey-blonde wig would have been better as a lace front rather than the mangy mop they opted for. As far as accessories go, the odd monocle she carried around did not play any role in making the look any better in comparison to the sand-and-hourglass combination from last year. And speaking of Mr Roach ...

LAW ROACH

As one of the many famous stylists whose own looks have been inspired on the red carpet, all eyes were on the star for the Met. However, his odd obsession with tufty blonde wigs and frumpy finishes veered too far from the celebration of tailored looks and black dandyism. Instead, Law Roach seemed more interested in stripped-down and voluminous looks that did nothing for him or any of the stars he dressed up for on the night, in what was seemingly a nod to Edwardian fashion.

FUTURE

With a large pool of references, including André 3000, who offered two inspired looks on the Met carpet, Future had a long history of hip-hop influences to draw from but instead went for a formal tracksuit. Perhaps it's time he changed his name to Outdated.

MAYA HAWKE

Perhaps Maya didn't get the memo? The whimsical look was not an interesting foray into tailoring but a bizarre mix of brown and pink that washed her out. At least she felt happy modelling the whole affair for the cameras.

JEREMY POPE

While Jeremy Pope is probably better off going for muted and sophisticated approaches to style, he always loves pushing the envelope and this was one of those days where he may have gone over the edge. Dressed as a dandy's mannequin, the look could have been more elevated. His makeup could have featured a subtle cat eye and darker shades to define the cheeks. Body glitter could have helped create more dimension for the sleeveless details. Additionally, metallic or matt ink black trousers could have emphasised the look he was going for.