The Met Gala dazzled last night, May 5, and the fashion world dressed to perfection for the astounding event. This year’s exhibition theme was “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” inspired by Monica L. Miller’s 2009 book Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity. The charity event will celebrate Black style and dandyism this year.
Simply put, a dandy (traditionally a man) pays extra attention to their appearance and style. But its history stems from the Atlantic Slave Trade in the eighteenth century. Enslavers would dandify their enslaved men and dress them up to look like luxury servants. As centuries went by, Black Americans, Mexican Americans, and women began to take dandyism into their own hands using it as a means of self-expression and rebellion against societal norms.
The dress code for the 2025 Met Gala was “Tailored for You,” a theme centered around suiting and menswear that guests will add their own flair to. While men are traditionally the wearers of tuxedos, women have proven that they can wear the pants, too, while bringing a range of edginess and softness.
Let’s look at some of our favorite women who have always been known to wear a suit well.
1. Janelle Monae, 39
When you think of people who know how to rock a suit, Janelle Monae should be on that list. The singer-actress started her career with a signature look that more often than not consisted of a tuxedo. Her style has since evolved in the last few years, and she’s been showing off her curves in more form-fitting dresses and colorful gowns. But even with this development in her fashion repertoire, the suit has never left the lineup.
Many people use clothes to make a statement, and Monae is no different. Wearing suits wasn’t the only thing she wanted to dress up in, but she wore it as a tribute to her parents. Calling the tuxedo her uniform, she told Today, “When I put it on, I always think about my family. You know, my mom used to serve at banquets. She was a janitor. And my dad was a trash man. My grandmother cooked food for the county jail for 25 years. So I come from a hard-working working-class family.”
