45 Incredible Met Gala Looks From the ’90s

Madonna, Donatella Versace, and Cher at the Met gala in 1997

VERSACE GALA, NEW YORK, USA

Madonna, Donatella Versace, and Cher at the Met gala in 1997
Photo: Shutterstock

Pre–social media and pre-livestreaming, the Met gala wasn’t quite the star-studded, megawatt event it is today. Let’s just say nobody was being carried in by six shirtless men. It wasn’t until the late ’90s that the event began to boast the megawatt guest list that it is known for today. But the Met gala in the ’90s still had its fair share of incredible outfits, and looking at old photos has become a delicious, curious trip down memory lane. And since the Met gala has been postponed this year due to COVID-19, there’s no better time to look back on when Tara Reid wore a plunging black number or Brandy shimmered in a white skirt suit.

Many of the early-’90s Met galas featured a cohort of supermodels in deliciously minimalist looks. Scroll down in the slideshow, and you’ll spot an image of Kate Moss and Christy Turlington acting coy together in slinky, simple dresses. As the event neared the millennium and the extreme noughties, the looks became more over-the-top. The Met gala in 1997 included an ode to the late Gianni Versace, and Madonna wore an intergalactic-print shawl and matching dress. Also in the mix was Cher in a body-hugging black dress and Donatella Versace in a slinky gold number. There is a photo of the trifecta posing together.

Another standout was the “Rock Style” Met gala in 1998, when celebrities attended in their most maximalist attire. Gisele Bündchen made a cameo in a bombshell beaded dress; J.Lo, in a decadent fur, arrived with then boyfriend Diddy, who wore a full white look; and Sandra Bullock sported a neckline that dipped down to her navel. But perhaps the most wildly memorable look went to Lil’ Kim, who opted for a bubble-gum-pink bra-and-panties set to show off her rock-hard abs, a luxe fur coat, and snakeskin boots. Talk about an ensemble to remember.

For a bit of Met gala nostalgia, take this time to walk down memory lane and see the 45 best looks from the ’90s Met galas.

Naomi Campbell, 1990

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Naomi Campbell, 1990
Photo: Getty Images
David Bowie and Iman, 1990

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David Bowie and Iman, 1990
Photo: Getty Images
Bianca Jagger, 1990

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Bianca Jagger, 1990
Photo: Getty Images
Christy Turlington, 1992

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Christy Turlington, 1992
Photo: Getty Images
Kate Moss and Christy Turlington, 1995

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Kate Moss and Christy Turlington, 1995
Photo: Getty Images
Shalom Harlow, 1995

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Shalom Harlow, 1995
Photo: Getty Images
Brandy and Naomi Campbell, 1995

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Brandy and Naomi Campbell, 1995
Photo: Getty Images
Goldie Hawn, 1995
Goldie Hawn, 1995
Photo: Getty Images
Sarah Jessica Parker, 1995

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Sarah Jessica Parker, 1995
Photo: Getty Images
Donatella Versace and Gianni Versace, 1995
Donatella Versace and Gianni Versace, 1995
Photo: Getty Images
Gwyneth Paltrow, 1995

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Gwyneth Paltrow, 1995
Photo: Getty Images
Elizabeth Hurley, 1997

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Elizabeth Hurley, 1997
Photo: Getty Images
John Galliano, 1997
John Galliano, 1997
Photo: Getty Images
Renee Zellweger, 1997

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Renee Zellweger, 1997
Photo: Getty Images
Linda Evangelista and Kyle MacLachlan, 1997

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Linda Evangelista and Kyle MacLachlan, 1997
Photo: Getty Images
Debi Mazar, 1997

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Debi Mazar, 1997
Photo: Getty Images
Carolyn Murphy, 1997

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Carolyn Murphy, 1997
Photo: Getty Images
Madonna, 1997

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Madonna, 1997
Photo: Getty Images
Cher, 1997

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Cher, 1997
Photo: Getty Images
Donatella Versace and Elton John, 1997

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Donatella Versace and Elton John, 1997
Photo: Getty Images
Salma Hayek, 1997

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Salma Hayek, 1997
Photo: Getty Images
Claudia Schiffer, 1998

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Claudia Schiffer, 1998
Photo: Getty Images
Julianne Moore, 1998

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Julianne Moore, 1998
Photo: Getty Images
Chloë Sevigny, 1998

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Chloë Sevigny, 1998
Photo: Shutterstock
Gwyneth Paltrow, 1999

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Gwyneth Paltrow, 1999
Photo: Getty Images
Jeremy Scott and Karen Elson, 1999

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Jeremy Scott and Karen Elson, 1999
Photo: Getty Images
Amber Valletta, 1999

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Amber Valletta, 1999
Photo: Getty Images
Michael Kors, Tara Reid, and Milla Jovovich, 1999

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Michael Kors, Tara Reid, and Milla Jovovich, 1999
Photo: Getty Images
Jennifer Love Hewitt, 1999
Jennifer Love Hewitt, 1999
Photo: Getty Images
Christina Ricci, 1999

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Christina Ricci, 1999
Photo: Getty Images
Liv Tyler and Stella McCartney, 1999

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Liv Tyler and Stella McCartney, 1999
Photo: Getty Images
Gisele Bundchen, 1999
Gisele Bundchen, 1999
Photo: Getty Images
Jennifer Lopez with Diddy, 1999

Metropolitan Museum Of Art Costume Institute Gala Celebrating The Exhibition Rock St

Jennifer Lopez with Diddy, 1999
Photo: Getty Images
Cindy Crawford and Sandra Bullock, 1999

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Cindy Crawford and Sandra Bullock, 1999
Photo: Getty Images
Lil Kim, 1999

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Lil Kim, 1999
Photo: Getty Images
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