2022 Met Gala Menswear Roundup

Here is a roundup from the remaining gents who took to the red carpet for the 2022 Met Gala on Monday (May 2) in New York City.

A lot of people didn’t quite understand Kodi Smit-McPhee’s Bottega Veneta Fall 2022 leather shirt, jeans and gloves combo. Myself included.

Which is why I like to research the meaning before working on first sight emotions.

My first thought is that I loved the look on him because he has proved himself to be a serious player in this fashion game, which his 2022 Awards Season run has proved, but didn’t quite understand the reference.

Bottega Veneta explains that this was “A celebration of a true American classic.”

While the actor said that with his stylist Jared Eng that “We wanted to explore the history of American fashion, since [the Met’s exhibit] is basically about Americana. There’s such a diversity of people and cultures that make up America, so instead of the top hats and tailcoats of the Gilded Age, I wanted my look to be a celebration of casual Friday—where you get to dress down and present yourself more casually.”

If you didn’t like this look to begin with, does the reference help change your mind?

I did say I was a little underwhelmed by all the black suits (and looks in general) that we saw on this red carpet, but British actor Damson Idris‘ – who wore a custom dunhill Barathea tailored wrap jacket and waistcoat with a silk satin lapel, styled with a Giza point collar shirt, and knit roll neck – look had a deeper meaning.

Because he was paying tribute to the late Bahamian-American actor Sidney Poitier.

Damson’s custom look is inspired by the evening attire he wore to accept the award for Best Actor at the 1964 Academy Awards. A breakthrough moment chosen by Damson as a reference, Poitier was the first black actor in history to receive this accolade.

As you know I have a huge appreciation of Kid Cudi style, and that extended to this custom Kenzo by Nigo Olympic blue look inspired by Kenzo Takada’s 1984 archive collection.

Aside from the colour, which I’m drooling over, the cape is my favourite part of this look. Mostly because it gives his look such a grandiose feel, but also because it also features Kenzo 1988 Archive Poppy print silk lining.

I wish he has shown it off a bit more on the red carpet.

We’ve seen all manner of tailcoats on this red carpet, but Seth Meyer’s showcased remarkable elegance wearing a Dolce & Gabbana tone-on-tone stripe morning coat ensemble which has him looking like a member of the British High Society.

His wife Alexi Meyers also played her part wearing a Dolce & Gabbana gown, but in her case it was the styling that steered this look towards the theme.

Much like Kodi Smit-McPhee, you had to look a bit deeper into the meaning of Riz Ahmed’s custom look from 4SDESIGNS to fully understand it.

His workwear was a tribute to the working-class immigrants who undergirded the Gilded Age.

The Indomptables de Cartier necklace which completed his look was Indian influenced.

There were quite a few tailcoats on this red carpet, but none that featured broken mirror embroidery which featured on the lapels and back of Future’s custom BOSS look.

None featured shorts either, but this was another way that the rapper set his look apart from the others, along with this embellished mask.

Ben Platt wore a custom Christian Cowan suit which incorporated corsetry.

Inspired by the the gilded age – where mens formal wear was predominantly white tie – this look seeks to stick two fingers up at an age were queer culture wasn’t accepted.

A pearl accented watch fob and Christian Louboutin ‘Chelsea Stage’ boots completed his look.

Regé-Jean Page made his Met Gala debut wearing a navy Armani suit accented with Swarovski embellished lapels.

Despite the sparkle from his lapels, he added yet more bling via his Graziela white gold diamond and midnight aquamarine custom brooch.

Some might feel disappointed that the actor didn’t lean more heavily into the theme, considering this ‘Bridgeton’ connection, but I know I wouldn’t want to attend a party in my work clothes either.

I would’ve been disappointed if this event had passed without one ruffled collared look.

Evan Mock rocked a custom lemon Head of State corset suit, which I imagine will be copied by high street retailers very soon, which he styled with Louboutin ‘Vatik’ shoes and vintage Cartier jewels.

I’m sure some will call this a clown costume on account of the collar, but I love the artistry and playfulness of it all.

This look feels very on brand for Evan who never holds back when it comes to his outfits.

Shawn Mendes turned to Tommy Hilfiger for the fourth time to design his Met Gala look.

His patriotic, colour-block look was styled with a navy manicure and an accent nail bearing the Tommy Hilfiger logo.

Without the coat, the essence of the theme wasn’t so prevalent.

Patrick Schwarzenegger was one of the few to opt for a bold colour at this event.

His salmon coloured Lanvin suit, accented with a ‘Lanvin’ brooch was thankfully styled with red accessories which included a Esenshel hat.

Henry Golding’s style has always had an air of elegance from a bygone era, so I wasn’t surprised to see him nail theme in this Tom Ford look.

His wife Liv Lo Golding wore a Tom Ford dress which felt more up-to-date despite hailing from the 1994 collection.

Both wore David Yurman jewels.

Leslie Odom Jr. put his own unique twist on the theme wearing a Fendi Mens short sleeve suit with a structured Esenshel sailor hat and Mary Jane shoes from the Fendi Fall 2022 collection.