Best 50+ Red Carpet Looks at New York City’s Annual Met Gala
Every year, New York City hosts the Met Gala fashion, a huge event in the fashion world. It’s where famous designers like Nike, celebrities, models, and influencers gather to show off their best looks. But while everyone’s focused on the young crowd, StyloGallery pays attention to the guests who are 50 and older.
The Gala is a big fundraiser for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute New york. It’s like a fashion show on the museum’s steps, with lots of fancy outfits and excitement. The dress code is set by Anna Wintour, Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Bad Bunny, and Chris Hems worth. This year, they’re taking inspiration from a book called “The Garden of Time.”
The Gala’s theme matches the museum’s latest exhibit, “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion.” It’s a chance to see around 250 cool outfits from the museum’s collection, some of which haven’t been shown before. It’s all about celebrating fashion’s timeless charm.
1. Anna Wintour, 74
The longtime chairwoman of the gala and Editor-in-Chief of Vogue, Anna Wintour, looked stunning in an ensemble by Jonathan Anderson for Loewe. She exuded regal elegance, donning a long black dress coat embellished with beautiful blooms, layered over a simple floor-length white gown. Speaking to Vogue online, Wintour expressed her gratitude for the dedicated team who organized the event and exhibition. However, she revealed that her favorite part of the exhibition is witnessing the joy on the faces of visitors as they experience the magic of the show.
2. Sarah Jessica Parker, 59
Sarah Jessica Parker, a perennial favorite in the fashion world, lived up to expectations once again. The “And Just Like That” star boldly pushed boundaries with her outfit choice—a nude-colored calf-length dress designed by Richard Quinn, featuring intricate boning. Describing the dress as a piece of art, Parker likened it to lace stretched over canvas, inspired by J.G. Ballard’s book. The trellis-like design was hand-embroidered and hand-stitched, adding to its allure.
To complement the striking dress, Parker accessorized with jewelry from Briony Raymond and a hat by Philip Treacy. Expressing her gratitude for being able to wear such exquisite pieces, Parker reflected on the Gala as a temporary escape to an alternate universe—a sentiment that resonated with the evening’s theme.
3. Jennifer Lopez, 54
For her 14th time gracing the gala, Met co-chair Jennifer Lopez left everyone in awe with her stunning outfit. She wore a sheer pant, Champagne-colored gown from Schiaparelli Haute Couture that hugged her body perfectly. The gown featured intricate silver beading and an eye-catching architectural neckline. Lopez described her dress as being inspired by butterfly wings, and it was adorned with an astonishing 2.5 million bugle beads, taking over 800 hours of hand-embroidery to create.
Reflecting on the event, the “Waiting for Tonight” singer and actress expressed her admiration for the gathering of artists from various fields—music, film, and fashion. She emphasized the beauty of the night, where talents from different genres come together to celebrate their creativity.
4. Gayle King, 69
Gayle King, host of CBS This Morning, opened up to Entertainment Tonight about her choice of attire for the gala. She admitted that wearing the lime-green one-shouldered Marchesa gown was a bit of a departure from her usual style new look. King acknowledged that she’s not Zendaya or Jennifer Lopez, who are known for their bold fashion statements. She expressed the importance of wanting to look appropriate and avoid looking foolish, but also noted that stepping out of her comfort zone was a deliberate decision for the occasion.
5. Uma Thurman, 54
Uma Thurman dazzled in a flowing periwinkle dress by Tory Burch at the gala. The gown, crafted from taffeta elemnt, featured stunning 3D butterflies in shades of purple and blue adorning the shoulder. Burch described the dress to Vogue, highlighting its construction, which pays homage to traditional craftsmanship. The gown boasts a hand-molded corset intricately bonded to hand-pleated and hand-pressed silk taffeta, showcasing old-world techniques in its creation.
6. Kris Jenner, 68
The Kardashian family’s matriarch, often referred to as the “momager,” rocked a striking off-white ensemble with a long train, designed by Oscar de la Renta. Jenner accessorized the monochromatic look with stunning emerald jewelry from Lorraine Schwartz, adding a touch of glamour to her outfit.
7. Gabrielle Union, 51
Union looked radiant in a sleeveless mermaid-style gown by Michael Kors, featuring an ombré effect and hand-embroidered sequins that shimmered elegantly. Speaking to Vogue online, Union revealed that she and a large team had been diligently working on the outfit for months. She expressed her excitement for the stunning ensemble, deeming it her favorite Met Gala look ever.
8. Penelope Cruz, 50
Penélope Cruz looked breathtaking in a Chanel Haute Couture gown at the gala. Her off-the-shoulder dress featured a silk tulle train and was adorned with a stunning patchwork of eight different types of French floral laces in black and silver. Cruz, who co-hosted the 2023 gala, expressed her excitement about reconnecting with friends at the event, particularly mentioning Anna Wintour. She praised Wintour as an incredible woman, noting that not everyone may be aware of her humorous side.
9. Demi Moore, 61
Yes, indeed! Moore turned heads in a breathtaking black column gown by Harris Reed, adorned with a pink-and-white floral design. What makes this gown truly unique is that it was crafted from vintage archival wallpaper. Reed shared with Vogue online that the gown required an astonishing 11,000 hours of silk embroidery. The concept behind it was to create the illusion of Moore blooming on the red carpet—an idea that was undeniably accomplished with resounding success.
10. Nicole Kidman, 56
Kidman and her musician husband, Keith Urban, seized the opportunity for a romantic evening away from the kids. Kidman shared their “Date Night at The @MetMuseum” on Instagram. For the occasion, the actress opted for a recreation of an iconic 1950s couture piece by Cristobal Balenciaga: a stunning white corset gown with a black ruffled skirt, complemented by white opera gloves. Reflecting on the theme of the Met Gala, “The Garden of Time,” Kidman expressed her admiration, stating that she fell in love with the idea of bringing a Balenciaga couture gown to life for the event.
Pam Anderson, 56
la Renta gown, complete with a flowing train that added to her ethereal presence. Anderson topped off her look with a striking Noel Stewart faux leather headpiece. Despite her usual makeup-free look, she opted for light and glowy makeup for the event, courtesy of Pat McGrath. Anderson’s transformation into a glamorous goddess was a standout moment at the gala.