#this reminds me a bit of nicola coughlan's met gala dress

[fashionsfromhistory]

Evening Dress

Charles Frederick Worth

c.1888

Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (Accession Number: 46.204a-b)

[themakeupbrush]

Top Met Gala 2022 Picks Part 1: On Theme

Updated with opinions

This isn’t to say other looks weren’t on theme, but these were ones that I liked because they were on theme.

From top to bottom, in no particular ranking: 

Blake Lively

She put so much thought into all of the references in this look. It actually wasn’t my favorite look based on appearances, but I give it top marks for the effort and the research. The transformation was cool, but the video is actually underwhelming it plays out better in stills.

Natasha Poonawalla

I saw a flash of this on TV and then spent all night trying to figure out who it was. Definitely fits “gilded glamor” theme, and I love the combination of a Schiaparelli corset over a couture sari.

Nicola Coughlan

This is the kind of gilded age drama I was hoping for last night! Sleeves, feathers, corset, trains! I kind of wish she had worn her hair up but down is a more modern interpretation 

Anitta

I love the off the shoulder with the pearls draped through it, it reminds me of the over-the-top accessorizing in old portraits. The peplum is a bit more cinderella than gilded age, but I’ll take it

Stephen Jones and Amy Fine Collins

The only people here who looked like they could have been in a period piece. They knew what they were doing and had fun with it

Lizzo

I’m more focused on the gorgeously embroidered house coat/cape which screams gilded age opulence to me, though I do appreciate the corset underneath. Also, she brought her FLUTE. It was criminally underrated on the broadcast last night.

Katy Perry

Initially I didn’t love it, but then I saw it from another angle and totally got the gilded age inspiration. The silhouette, bustle, draping, and train all fit the theme, in a more modern way. Even the white mini skirt underneath is reminiscent of a petticoat. I just wish she had done better styling

Taylor Hill

Super surprised here, since Taylor usually goes for the “off theme pretty model” look. The off the shoulder neckline with big flowers reminds me of some 1800′s dresses, as do the boots with all the tiny buttons. It’s not shown here, but the embroidered train is truly show stopping

Laura Harrier

It’s glamorous. It has a fancy, shiny print I could totally see in the era. Is the silhouette a little pre-gilded age to me? Yeah but I love it. 

Julia Carey

Focusing on her, and her alone, this was probably the most on theme look to me all night. It’s got everything: lace, velvet, a corset, puffy shoulders with longs sleeves. It’s perfect.

[fashionsfromhistory]

I'd love to hear a breakdown of why you chose your top 3 for best dressed women that followed the theme. I really like who you chose.

Combining these two since they kind of touch on the same topic.

If you’ve followed this blog for a while, you might have seen me mention once or twice that the bustle era, which roughly coincides with the Gilded Age, being perhaps my favorite era in fashion history of all time. Naturally, I was VERY excited to see what people brought to the table. And like almost all of the internet, I was sorely disappointed.

For the non USA/non history lovers out there, the Gilded Age lasted roughly from the 1870s to 1900s ish. It was the time when industrialists like the Vanderbilts, Carnegies, and Morgans rapidly rose to the top due to their exploitation of the working class. There’s all sorts of social commentary that could have come out of a theme like this, but quite frankly, it was all very mediocre. I think that’s what made the top ten truly stand out this year. Unlike Heavenly Bodies, the competition wasn’t stiff.

LIZZO IN THOM BROWNE

Everybody say it with me now: THANK YOU LIZZO!!!

THIS is the level of couture and opulence I was expecting. The gold and black fabric looks like something straight off a Worth gown. Quite frankly, my only critique is that it looks like inspiration came from a 18th century frock coat, but you see that type of pattern alignment on tea gowns of the period as well. I think Lizzo earned the highest praise I can give a MET Gala outfit: It looks like something Rihanna would wear. Rihanna goes all out with the theme and I’m happy Lizzo’s been knocking it out of the park the last couple years.

Also, she coordinated her flute to her outfit. What a legend.

NICOLA COUGHLAN IN RICHARD QUINN

Nicola Coughlan has been giving us fashion wins for awhile now and I love her and her stylist Aimée Croysdill (highly recommend her instagram) for blessing us so. The Gilded Age inspiration is clear in the gigot-esque sleeves, the classic sweeping skirt and train, and of course, gloves. I personally love the modern touch of feathers. It’s something that could have easily overwhelmed very petite Nicola, but there’s just the right amount there to make it look cohesive. It’s a really great homage to the era while also appearing modern, almost Barbie like. Truly a great execution by Nicola and Team.

BILLIE EILISH IN GUCCI

I’ll be 100% honest: I actually don’t like this gown that much. But in terms of the theme, this is a very clear winner. We’ve got the classic Victorian draped skirt, lace sleeves, and an updated take on a Victorian bodice. I wish the sleeves either coordinated with the blue on the bodice or the purple of the flower, but that’s more of a personal choice. Several people have pointed out that her gown reminds them a bit of the portrait by John Singer Sargent and I see it (portrait below).