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The 15 Best Vintage Fashion Moments From the Met Gala

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The 15 Best Vintage Fashion Moments From the Met Gala

The cultural obsession with archival fashion hits its peak every year at the Met Gala as celebrities and their stylist raid the annals of legendary fashion houses to pull an unforgettable look.

While the practice has gained popularity in recent years thanks to Gen Z fashion favorites like Lily-Rose Depp and Addison Rae, it’s been going strong for the past two decades. Sartorial heavyweights like Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen and Chloë Sevigny are among many who have dipped back into the archives for fashion’s biggest night — sometimes even pulling from their own personal closet.

We’re willing to bet the 2024 Met Gala continues the tradition, especially considering this year’s theme, “Sleeping Beauties” is primed for rediscovering archival fashion. As the first Monday in May approaches, see NYLON’s favorite vintage moments at the Met Gala over the last 20 years.

Selma Blair, 2005

Fairchild Archive/Penske Media/Getty Images

In a vintage Chanel gown with golden embroidery.

Kirsten Dunst, 2007

NEW YORK CITY, NY - MAY 7: Kirsten Dunst attends The COSTUME INSTITUTE Gala in honor of "POIRET: KIN...

Patrick McMullan/Patrick McMullan/Getty Images

In a vintage Saint Laurent gown with a flapper-style floral headband.

Victoria Beckham, 2008

NEW YORK CITY, NY - MAY 5: Victoria Beckham attends THE COSTUME INSTITUTE GALA: "SUPERHEROES" with h...

Patrick McMullan/Patrick McMullan/Getty Images

In a sheer, beaded vintage Giorgio Armani coat dress.

Chloë Sevigny, 2011

Chloe Sevigny attends the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s 2011 Costume Institute Gala featuring the o...

Fairchild Archive/Penske Media/Getty Images

In a custom vintage McQueen gown pulled straight from her own closet.

Anne Hathaway, 2013

Actress Anne Hathaway and designer Valentino arrive at the Costume Institute Gala for the "Punk: Cha...

picture alliance/picture alliance/Getty Images

In a sheer, vintage Valentino dress by the side of the designer himself.

Mary-Kate & Ashley Olsen, 2015

NEW YORK, NY - MAY 04:  Actors/designers Mary-Kate Olsen and Ashley Olsen attend the 'China: Through...

Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic/Getty Images

Coordinating goths in vintage John Galliano for Christian Dior.

Tory Burch, 2016

NEW YORK, NY - MAY 02:  Designer Tory Burch attends the "Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Techn...

Larry Busacca/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images

In a vintage Balenciaga gown with a massive bow detail.

Mary-Kate & Ashley Olsen, 2018

NEW YORK, NY - MAY 07:  Designers Mary-Kate Olsen and Ashley Olsen attends the Heavenly Bodies: Fash...

Theo Wargo/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images

In vintage Paco Rabanne dresses for the “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion & The Catholic Imagination” Met Gala.

Lily-Rose Depp, 2019

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 06: Lily-Rose Depp attends The 2019 Met Gala Celebrating Camp: Notes on Fas...

Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images

In a Chanel couture dress from spring/summer 1992, originally worn on the catwalk by Christy Turlington.

Addison Rae, 2021

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 13: Addison Rae attends the 2021 Met Gala benefit "In America: A Lexi...

Taylor Hill/WireImage/Getty Images

In a scarlet Tom Ford-era Gucci gown from autumn/winter 2003.

Emily Ratajkowski, 2022

Emily Ratajkowski at The 2022 Met Gala celebrating In America: An Anthology of Fashion held at the T...

WWD/Penske Media/Getty Images

In a beaded Versace dress from spring/summer 1992.

Adut Akech, 2022

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 02: Adut Akech Bior attends The 2022 Met Gala Celebrating "In America: An A...

John Shearer/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images

In a Christian Lacroix couture gown from autumn/winter 2003.

Nicole Kidman, 2023

Nicole Kidman at the 2023 Met Gala: Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty held at the Metropolitan Museum...

Lexie Moreland/WWD/Getty Images

In a Chanel couture gown from 2004, which she first wore in a Chanel No. 5 commercial that same year.

Penélope Cruz, 2023

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 01: Penelope Cruz attends the 2023 Met Gala Celebrating "Karl Lagerfeld: A ...

Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic/Getty Images

In a Chanel spring 1988 haute couture bridal gown — the oldest look of the evening — first worn by Karl Lagerfeld’s close friend and muse Inés de la Fressange.

Yara Shahidi, 2023

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 01: Yara Shahidi attends The 2023 Met Gala Celebrating "Karl Lagerfeld: A L...

John Shearer/WireImage/Getty Images

In custom Jean Paul Gaultier from 2008, complete with a siren-approved shell bodice.

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