The invite said “white tie and decorations.”
But on last night’s red carpet for the Costume Institute Benefit at the Metropolitan Museum, it felt like almost every boldface name who typically tops every best-dressed list decided to ditch all fashion formalities and instead go off the sartorial rails.
In short: It felt like the world’s biggest fashion emergency.
Between Kate Upton’s barmaid-inspired get-up, Sandra Lee’s bizarrely dated take on Cinderella (are hip pads the new shoulder pads?) and Shailene Woodley’s sad patchwork Rodarte, what was supposed to be a red carpet paying tribute to the elegant New York society designer Charles James with white tie and ball gowns rapidly dissolved into one disaster after the next.
Even Sarah Jessica Parker — whose every breath and step practically defines all things fashionable — took a weird turn in her oversized ode to black and white.
What. The heck. Happened.
In the end, quiet elegance reigned: Met Gala Chair Aerin Lauder was a breath of pastel goodness in powdery blue Oscar de la Renta, while Dita Von Teese proved that pouring oneself into a perfectly tailored Zac Posen gown is the key to icon status.
And while Karolina Kurkova’s Marchesa creation was larger than life, gorgeous construction and whimsical floral appliques added the perfect amount of pretty.
Perhaps Lanvin designer Alber Elbaz said it best when he — decked out in a maroon tie — described his take on exhibition honoree Charles James’ penchant for elegance: “I think elegance is not what you wear, but the stature with which you wear it.”
Better luck next year, ladies.