Red carpet rebels! The Met Ball's most outrageous looks
The annual Costume Institute Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, otherwise known as the Met Ball, always offers a stunning parade of celebrity fashion. Stars and designers come together for a night dedicated to haute couture, inspired by a theme that changes year to year, and over-the-top looks often rule the night.The dress code for this year's gala, held on Monday night, calls for attendees
Kim Kardashian and Kanye West attend the Costume Institute Gala for the \"PUNK: Chaos to Couture\" exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 6, 2013 in New York City.Getty Images
By Meena Hart Duerson
The annual Costume Institute Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, otherwise known as the Met Ball, always offers a stunning parade of celebrity fashion. Stars and designers come together for a night dedicated to haute couture, inspired by a theme that changes year to year, and over-the-top looks often rule the night.
The dress code for this year's gala, held on Monday night, calls for attendees to wear "evening dress and decorations" for a very Downton Abbey-esque aesthetic. While we don't yet know who will emerge as the night's fashion winner, let's take a stroll down memory lane at the most memorable looks of Met Balls past.
Allison Williams attends the Costume Institute Gala for the \"PUNK: Chaos to Couture\" exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 6, 2013 in New York City.Larry Busacca / Today
That's not what Marnie would wear! "Girls" star Allison Williams went over to the dark side in a racy look for last year's punk-themed gala.
Model Amber Valetta attends the \"Dangerous Liaisons: Fashion and Furniture in the 18th Century\" Costume Institute benefit gala on April 26, 2004 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, in New York City.Evan Agostini / Today
Amber Valetta channeled Marie Antoinette in this gown in 2004.
Musician Madonna attends \"The Model as Muse: Embodying Fashion\" Costume Institute Gala at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 4, 2009 in New York City.Larry Busacca / Today
Madonna, looking ageless as always, wore over-the-knee boots on the red carpet in 2009.
Jennifer Lawrence and Sarah Jessica Parker attends the Costume Institute Benefit at The Metropolitan Museum of Art May 6, 2013, celebrating the opening of Punk: Chaos to Couture.TIMOTHY A. CLARY / Today
When stars collide! Sarah Jessica Parker and Jennifer Lawrence cozied up on the red carpet in 2013.
Karolina Kurkova attends the MET Costume Institute Gala Celebrating Chanel at the Metropolitan Museum of Art May 2, 2005 In New York City.Evan Agostini / Today
Model Karolina Kurkova had a message for fellow partygoers in this bold graffiti gown in 2005.
Kim Kardashian and Kanye West attend the Costume Institute Gala for the \"PUNK: Chaos to Couture\" exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 6, 2013 in New York City.Jamie McCarthy / Today
A very pregnant Kim Kardashian got a lot of flak for this floral gown, which she wore to the event alongside then-boyfriend — and fashion lover — Kanye West.
Actress Maggie Gyllenhaal arrives at the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Gala, Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy, held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 5, 2008 in New York City.Stephen Lovekin / Today
Maggie Gyllenhaal went for a sweet and romantic look in 2008 for the "Fashion and Fantasy"-themed event.
Designer Bob Mackie and Cher attend The Metropolitan Museum's Costume Institute Gala Exhibition of \"Costumes of Royal India\" on December 9, 1985.Ron Galella / Today
Cher looked out of this world at the Met Ball in 1985, which she attended with fashion designer Bob Mackie.
Beyonce attends the Costume Institute Benefit at The Metropolitan Museum of Art May 7, 2012, celebrating the opening of Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations in New York.TIMOTHY A. CLARY / Today
Beyonce left little to the imagination in a dazzling — and very sheer — blue feathered gown at the event in 2012.
Jessica Simpson attends the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Benefit Gala \"Poiret: King Of Fashion\" at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 7, 2007 in New York City.Evan Agostini / Today
A brunette Jessica Simpson showed off plunging cleavage in this metallic halter gown in 2007.
Actress Chloe Sevigny arrives for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's 2012 Costume Institute Gala benefit.JUSTIN LANE / Today
Chloe Sevigny's short 'do and cropped dress left her looking very mod.
Nicole Richie at the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Benefit celebrating the opening of \"PUNK: Chaos to Couture\" in New York, May 6, 2013.CARLO ALLEGRI / Today
Nicole Richie, looking otherwordly in a silver sheath with silvery hair, managed to look both spooky and serene.
Actress Christina Ricci attends the \"Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty\" Costume Institute Gala at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2011 in New York City.Larry Busacca / Today
Christina Ricci showed off a cobwebbed look in this spidery gown in 2011.
Ashley Olsen attends the Costume Institute Gala for the \"PUNK: Chaos to Couture\" exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 6, 2013 in New York City.Dimitrios Kambouris / Today
Is that an Olsen twin under there? Ashley Olsen went for a loose look in a glittery muumuu-style mustard-colored sheath.
Eva Mendes attends the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Benefit Gala: Anglomania at the Metropolitan Museum of Art May 1, 2006 in New York City.Evan Agostini / Today
Eva Mendes went for va-va-voom glamour in this empire-waisted gown in 2006.
