Met Gala
A Chronological Look at Kim Kardashian’s Best Met Gala Outfits
Latex corsets, pearl strands, floral prints, and more.
It’s been a year since the 2023 Met Gala, which means the biggest night in fashion (read: the “Oscars of fashion”) is upon us once again. And you can bet that Kim Kardashian is going to be there, bringing the drama as per usual.
Kardashian has been attending, and turning heads, at the Met Gala since 2013, and each of her looks has made an imprint on my brain forever. From couch-like floral prints to latex sparklers, you can always count on the SKIMS mogul to get people talking.
Her most recent appearances, however, have been the most controversial of all. ICYMI, Kardashian’s 2022 dress went down in Met Gala infamy after she revived an archival Marilyn Monroe gown. The sequin-covered stunner sparked controversy, as many initially thought she damaged it at the event.
The following year, she traded sequins for pearls in a dramatic number that featured nearly 70,000 of the precious beads. The look inadvertently paid homage to her first Playboy magazine shoot — another iconic throwback moment.
This year’s Met Gala — taking place on Monday, May 6 — asks that guests come dressed for the theme “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion.” While the motif seems up for interpretation, Kardashian definitely knows how to “awaken” fashion — or at least get the fashion group chats buzzing.
While we wait with bated breath to see how Kim Kardashian will take on this theme, let’s take a look back at her best outfits over the years.
1
2013: “Punk: Chaos to Couture”
For her very first Met Gala appearance in 2013, a pregnant Kardashian donned a floral gown with a thigh-high slit and matching shoes by Riccardo Tisci for Givenchy. Eschewing the theme, the flowery look unfortunately ended up being the subject of many memes. "It got a lot of criticism and I didn't care because I really loved it,” she said.
2
2014: "Charles James: Beyond Fashion"
The following year, the reality star went for a more understated look, working with Lanvin creative director Alber Elbaz. The elegant, dark blue strapless gown highlighted her décolletage, showed a bit of leg, and had pockets as a nice touch.
3
2015: “China: Through The Looking Glass”
Going bold again in 2015, Kim brought the glamour in a semi-sheer white dress featuring intricate beadwork and a dramatic feathered train. "My custom Roberto Cavalli gown is one of my fave dresses ever,” she shared.
4
2016: "Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology"
Celebrating the gala’s theme that year, the Skims founder channeled a futuristic goddess in a shimmering silver metallic Balmain gown. Of the look, she said: “I just wanted to go for it and be a bling-y, sexy robot."
5
2017: "Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garcons: Art Of The In-Between"
In 2017, the Keeping Up With the Kardashians star took a more minimalist approach, hitting the Met steps in a simple white, off-the-shoulder gown courtesy of Vivienne Westwood. She styled the ethereal dress with strappy, barely-there sandals.
6
2018: “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination”
Nailing the “Heavenly Bodies” theme, Kim shimmered in a curve-hugging gold Versace number at the 2018 Met Gala. Adding to the look, she layered two sparkling cross necklaces to match the dipped-in-gold gown.
7
2019: "Camp: Notes on Fashion"
Come 2019, the mogul made major waves as she arrived in a wet-look latex mini dress, a custom look by Thierry Mugler. Naturally, she paired the plunging dress with see-through pumps. The dress was actually a nod to her daughter North West, who refers to her mother as a mermaid.
8
2021: “In America: A Lexicon of Fashion”
Kim had everyone talking again in September 2021, when she chose an all-black look complete with a face covering to go with the theme of “American independence.” The head-turning Balenciaga ‘fit confused and divided fans, to which she simply responded: “What’s more American than a T-shirt head to toe?!”
92022: “In America: An Anthology of Fashion”
Kim nailed 2022’s “gilded glamour” theme with her ode to Marilyn Monroe, the epitome of Old Hollywood glamour. But the choice to borrow the dress Monroe famously wore to sing “Happy Birthday” to then-president John F. Kennedy in 1962 (the most expensive dress in the world) sparked major controversy. Fans were outraged, after initial reports said the gown was damaged, but thankfully, Ripley’s has since debunked this claim.
102023: “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty”
Kardashian’s 10th Met Gala was one of her most dramatic. She looked to Schiaparelli’s Daniel Roseberry to bring her Karl Lagerfeld-themed homage to life. The result was cream-colored shapewear topped with countless pearl strands.
While the pearls — 66k of them to be exact — were an obvious nod to Chanel, one of Lagerfeld’s previously-helmed brands, they also recalled her first Playboy magazine shoot. Referencing yourself at the Met Gala is top-tier fashion icon behavior.
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