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Throughout the year, a few red carpets capture our attention, but there’s only one that has us talking for days afterwards. Of course, we’re talking about the Met Gala. Hosted at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, the Met Gala is the most exciting day on the fashion calendar and never fails to have everyone embrace their inner fashion critic.

The theme is different every year, and changes according to the museum’s spring exhibition. The Met Gala red carpet is an opportunity for designers and attendees alike to take real chances with their fashion, crafting true show-stoppers that get everyone talking. When it comes to the Met Gala, bigger is always better.

Ahead, we answer all the questions you might have about this year’s gala, including what this year’s theme is (and what it means for the fashion), as well as where to watch it and who will be attending.

When Is The 2026 Met Gala?

The Met Gala always takes place on the first Monday in May, which is May 4 this year. Red carpet arrivals will probably begin around 6 p.m. ET.

What Is The 2026 Met Gala Theme?

The 2026 Met Gala theme typically aligns with the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s spring exhibition for that year. That exhibition was announced on Monday, November 17, 2025, to be “Costume Art”. Described by the museum as being around “the centrality of the dressed body in the museum’s vast collection”, expect guests to wear haute couture creations inspired by this theme. The dress code is slightly different, described as “fashion is art.”

The exhibition about the dressed body is to show the significance of the body, and how it cannot be separated from the clothes we wear. There are different themes, including the Naked Body, Classical Body, Pregnant Body and the Aging Body. We predict that some fashion houses will also draw from these characteristics when dressing their talent for the 2026 Met Gala, too. We may see interesting silhouettes and bold moves.

“What connects every curatorial department and what connects every single gallery in the museum is fashion, or the dressed body,” Andrew Bolton told Vogue about the theme. “It’s the common thread throughout the whole museum, which is really what the initial idea for the exhibition was.”

Who Hosts The Met Gala?

Since 1995, the Met Gala has been hosted by Anna Wintour, Editor-in-Chief of American Vogue and Global Editorial Director of Condé Nast. This year, she has named Nicole Kidman, Venus Williams and Beyoncé as co-chairs for the event, with Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Bezos as honorary chairs. This means they will officially welcome attendees to The Met on May 5.

Who Is Attending The 2026 Met Gala?

According to Vogue, the Met Gala typically has around 450 attendees, including the world’s biggest celebrities and many influential figures, such as politicians and the who’s who of the tech and creative industries.

The red carpet guest list is usually kept top secret, and 2026 is no different. However, there are some celebrities who almost always make an appearance at the Met Gala, including Kendall Jenner, Kim Kardashian, Lady Gaga, Cardi B, Zendaya, and Rihanna. Some of our predictions for 2026? BLACKPINK’s Lisa, Super Bowl Halftime performer Bad Bunny, Hailey Bieber, Olivia Rodrigo and Ariana Grande.

How Can I Watch The Met Gala Red Carpet?

Though the specific details on how to watch the Met Gala red carpet in 2026 are yet to be released, it’s usually easiest to view via Vogue’s digital channels. Last year, the carpet was live-streamed on the Vogue website, and on the brand’s Instagram, TikTok, and X pages.

For a curated view of the red carpet, you can also visit the Refinery29 homepage and Instagram, as we’ll be live posting the best looks from the day.

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Welcome to Refinery29 Loves, the monthly news bulletin where you’ll find the best things to shop and see in fashion and beauty right now.

Summer is just around the corner. We can feel the sun on our skin (shielded by SPF, of course), in the breezy matching sets, and brightly-colored accessories that make the ‘fit. We’re hinting, not so subtly, at our latest drop of R29 Loves — the standout pieces our editors added to cart last month.

Inside our late-spring hauls, you’ll find plenty to get excited over: This writer’s go-to lip combo that’s secretly a BOGO deal, our beauty director’s new favorite exfoliator, and our fashion writer’s whimsical Mary Jane flats, among many other treasures.

Consider this your R29-approved shortlist of everything worth shopping this month now that it’s gonna be May. Ahead, 14 fashion and beauty finds to shop now.

At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. All product details reflect the price and availability at the time of publication. If you buy or click on something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.

Tarte Vinyl Drip Lip Gloss & Plump Liner

"What won me over here is the incredible value. For $27, you’re getting two full-size Tarte lip products — a liner and a gloss — that retail for $23 and $27 individually. (No, that’s not a typo: In other words, it’s essentially like buying the gloss and getting the liner for free. Free!) I’ve tried the Maracuja Juicy Lip Liner before, and this version stands out for its subtle plumping effect, which is delivered via hydrating, line-filling peptides and hyaluronic acid. Like the original, it’s ultra-creamy and glides on like butter. I picked up Caramel, a warm nude that’s my everyday “my lips, but better” shade. As for the gloss, the twist-up brush applicator immediately reminded me of an old favorite (Stila Lip Glaze — IYKYK), but the formula feels decidedly more modern. It lands somewhere between a gloss and a lip oil — cushiony, lightweight, and completely non-sticky — with that high-shine, wet-look finish. I paired the liner with the shade Strawberry Milk, a soft rosy brown that pulls the whole look together. If you’ve been curious about either formula, this set makes trying both feel like a no-brainer. Consider the charms a cute bonus." *— Karina Hoshikawa, Senior Writer*

**Tarte** vinyl drip lip gloss & plump liner + FREE mystery charm, $, available at Tarte

Versed Skin Solution Multi-Serum Skin Tint SPF 40

"Skin tints are a dime a dozen at this point, so I wasn’t expecting to be blown away by Versed’s Skin Solution Multi Serum Skin Tint. However, that’s exactly what happened when I first tried it. For starters, the color match is spot on — the shade 6O blended into my complexion with the most natural, skin-like finish. So many tints skew either too watery or overly slick, while others disappear a little too well that they barely make a difference. This one strikes a balance, offering a sheer veil of coverage that subtly evens things out without ever looking or feeling like makeup. (The added SPF 40 is a welcome bonus, though I still layer it over my regular sunscreen.) At $20, it’s also one of my most affordable skin tints in my collection — but doesn’t feel like it. It’s silky, lightweight, and doesn’t break me out. I will say, it’s on the lighter end of sheer coverage, so if you want more, I recommend adding a bit of concealer where desired." *— Karina Hoshikawa, Senior Writer*

**Versed** Skin Solution Multi-Serum Skin Tint SPF 40, $, available at Ulta Beauty

Charlotte Tilbury Love Frequency Eau de Parfum Travel Spray

"I wore this perfume to a recent wedding — yes, fully inspired by the name — and was stopped multiple times by other guests asking what I was wearing. (I could end my review there, but I won’t.) I’ve long been a fan of Charlotte Tilbury’s fragrances (Star Confidence is another standout in my rotation), but Love Frequency caught me off guard in the best way. I don’t typically gravitate toward florals, yet this one completely works — likely because it never tips into powdery or grandma territory. Instead, the rose-forward scent reads fresh and even fruity (think: petals that smell more like raspberries than a classic bouquet), juxtaposed with a hint of spicy pink pepper and soft, cashmere woods. The result is warm, modern, and so romantic. And best of all, it has serious staying power — it lingered on my hair and dress after a full night of dinner and dancing. I own it in the travel spray version, but love it so much I’m considering upgrading to a full-size bottle!" *— Karina Hoshikawa, Senior Writer*

**Charlotte Tilbury** Love Frequency Eau de Parfum Travel Spray, $, available at Sephora

Farmacy’s Bright On Daily AHA Foam Exfoliator

"If you’re looking for a new daily exfoliator, try Farmacy’s Bright On AHA. If you’re not a fan of the waste that comes with exfoliating pads — or find them too harsh (some even have textured sides) — this is a great alternative. Just pump it onto your fingertips, massage into skin, and let it work for 30 seconds. The alpha hydroxy acid here is mandelic acid, which helps brighten by minimizing hyperpigmentation. It’s balanced with moisturizing ingredients like panthenol and glycerin, so skin doesn’t feel stripped the way it can with some exfoliating pads. Finish with moisturizer, and you’re good to go." *— Jacqueline Kilikita, Beauty Director*

**Farmacy** Bright On Daily AHA Foam Exfoliator, $, available at Farmacy

Tatcha The Melting Balm

"I’ve been wearing Tatcha’s new Melting Balm exclusively since I discovered it in February — and I think it beats every lip oil I own (which, as a beauty director, is a lot). It glides on like a cocooning balm, then melts on contact into a silky oil that doesn’t just sit on the surface, but deeply moisturizes, smoothing lip lines, and softening flakes. That’s thanks to conditioning tamanu oil, volumizing peptides, and barrier-restoring vitamin F. I rotate between Moka (a soft taupe) and Reddo (a sheer strawberry); the tints are subtle enough to layer over any lip liner or lipstick." *— Jacqueline Kilikita, Beauty Director*

**Tatcha** The Melting Lip Balm, $, available at Tatcha

Glow Recipe Watermelon Milk Peptide Cushion Cream Moisturizer

"The phrase “cushion cream” almost put me off this moisturizer — I assumed it would be too heavy for my acne-prone skin — but don’t underestimate it like I did. It’s lightweight, sinks in within moments, and the formula is seriously impressive. It contains no fewer than 10 peptides — proteins that help strengthen and hydrate skin on a deeper level — leaving it looking plumper, smoother, and bouncier, with a healthy, dewy glow. There’s also glycerin and squalane for an extra hit of moisture, making it ideal under makeup (it grips like Velcro). One look at the five-star reviews on Sephora and you’ll see just how good it is." *— Jacqueline Kilikita, Beauty Director*

**Glow Recipe** Watermelon Milk™ Peptide Cushion Cream Moisturizer, $, available at Sephora

Secret Mango Tango Fresh Invisible Solid Antiperspirant & Deodorant

"I credit this 72-hour stick antiperspirant and deodorant for keeping me body odor-free during my long, hot, and sweaty days at Coachella. But this long-lasting formula also gets brownie points for not leaving white marks on my outfits and having a *delicious* scent. Secret’s mocktail collection has a range of citrus and fruity fragrances, but the lime and mango have become my favorites." *— Victoria Montalti, Senior Fashion Commerce Writer*

**Secret** Fresh Invisible Solid Antiperspirant & Deodorant, $, available at Walmart

John Fluevog Flora Primrose

"After admiring all the colorful and intricate John Fluevog shoes while window-shopping throughout the years, I finally got the opportunity to try them for myself. I learned about all the different shoe families (aka silhouettes), discovered the adorable sayings on many of the rubber roles, and tried countless spring styles, eventually landing on these adorably quirky Mary Jane slingbacks in pear green. It’s extremely difficult for me to find a shoe that doesn’t squish my toes or give me blisters on my heels, but these are incredibly comfortable. So far, I’ve styled them with a polka- dot dress and more green accessories like a shoulder bag, sunglasses, and rings, and I’m so excited to style them all spring and summer long." *— Victoria Montalti, Senior Fashion Commerce Writer*

**John Fluevog** Flora Primrose - Green, $, available at John Fluevog

Free People Sacred Heart Midi Skirt Set

"I love shopping for concert and festival season outfits, but I never want to go for the obvious choices. For Coachella this year, I opted for this Free People matching set because I wanted something effortlessly put together and versatile. I like that it has boho vibes without feeling like a kitschy costume and can be mixed and matched for multiple looks. I styled the set with a stone chain belt and cowboy boots, and loved how breezy I felt and looked. I’m also looking forward to styling the top and skirt separately." *— Victoria Montalti, Senior Fashion Commerce Writer*

**Free People** Sacred Heart Midi Skirt Set, $, available at Free People

Old Navy x Christopher John Rogers Crop T-Shirt

"I got my hands on the much -anticipated Old Navy x Christopher John Rogers collab before a majority of the collection sold out, opting for this colorful cropped tee, which is still in stock in all sizes online. I just love the relaxed boxy cut and fun red-and-pink color combo. It adds a serious pop to my spring and summer outfits." *— Victoria Montalti, Senior Fashion Commerce Writer*

**Old Navy x Christopher John Rogers** Crop T-Shirt, $, available at Old Navy

Haus Labs Atomic Shake Lip Lacquer

"Finally, a lip product that actually lasts all day, is transfer-proof, and has shine. It’s available in both sheer and bold shades, depending on the makeup vibe you’re going for. Plenty don’t deliver on their long-wear claims, but this one really does. It also features film-forming polymers and filling spheres, which coat the lips to make them look juicier and plumper." *— Brooke DeVard, Chief Content Officer*

**Haus Labs** Atomic Shake High-Shine Longwear Lip Lacquer, $, available at Sephora

Meshki Gathered Mesh Midi Dress

"I’ve fully embraced my salsera era (think 1960s Puerto Rico) and have been slowly building a wardrobe to match. This month, I added the Willa dress from Meshki, a mesh midi with a sculpted bodice and sweetheart neckline. While it also comes in black and polka- dot prints, I of course went with the ultimate salsera romantica color: ruby." *—Raquel Reichard, Deputy Director, Somos*

**Meshki** Gathered Mesh Midi Dress, $, available at Meshki

Just Black Denim Mid Rise Wide Leg Jeans

"As a 5 foot curvy girl, I can’t just wear any pair of jeans. I need enough stretch to hug my hips and thighs, a waistband that fits snugly without gapping at the back, and a hemline that doesn’t drag on the ground when I walk. Most denim brands just don’t design for my body type, but when I tried Black Denim’s Mid Rise Wide Leg Jeans, I literally said out loud, “Oh, they slayed with these.” Not only do they fit beautifully and comfortably, but the light-wash denim and wide-leg silhouette feel fresh and easy to style." *— Raquel Reichard, Deputy Director, Somos*

**Just Black Denim** The Mid Rise Wide Leg, $, available at Just Black Denim

La Canadienne CYE Leather Booties

"Florida’s rainy season, that time usually between May and October when sudden torrential downpours can hit at any point in the day, has already arrived. Because I’ve decided to spend more time outside this year, rain or shine, I prepared early with a pair of water-resistant booties. I’ve already worn my CYE leather booties from La Canadienne through a couple of light spring showers, and not only do the Classic Chelsea leather boots pull my fits together, but as part of the brand’s City Dry™ collection, they keep my feet dry and free from rain stains. I’m looking forward to wearing these classic, comfortable booties all through the wet season." *— Raquel Reichard, Deputy Director, Somos*

**La Canadienne** Cye Leather Bootie, $, available at La Canadienne

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The first Monday in May is quickly approaching, and in the fashion world, that means the biggest topic of discussion on the agenda is the Met Gala. This year, attendees are being tasked with flaunting their finest outfits inspired by the dress code, "Fashion is Art," nodding to the new museum exhibition, "Costume Art."

In anticipation of an evening of head-turning outfits strutting down the sartorial star-studded carpet, we can’t help but recall some of the Met Gala’s biggest fashion moments ever. So, we’re taking a trip down memory lane, revisiting some of our all-time favorite Met Gala looks, from Cardi B’s regal Moschino gown from 2018 and Kate Moss’ Marc Jacobs golden mini dress circa 2009 to Princess Diana's Dior slip dress in 1996. Don’t worry, SJP and Alexander McQueen in matching tartan, Naomi Campbell in glittering Versace, and Tyla in Balmain as a sand sculpture that needed to be carried up the stairs also made the cut.

So prepare to be amazed by the ethereal looks and red carpet dresses that have garnered attention every year since the first Costume Institute Benefit in 1948. Click on for our list of the best Met Gala looks of all time.