The Prettiest Met Gala Shots Need to Be Zoomed In

We're suckers for gorgeous red carpet gowns, but the images that are most captivating from last night's Costume Institute Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art are the tight shots that show off the fabrication and embellishments of dresses. Scroll down to see all the night's prettiest images, and then make sure to examine the bags, shoes, and jewels that finished off each outfit.

Met Gala Red Carpet Details 2014
Getty

Met Gala Red Carpet Details 2014

Dita Von Teese's dress was custom crafted for her curves, and it was never more apparent than when viewed from behind.

Met Gala Red Carpet Details 2014
Getty

Met Gala Red Carpet Details 2014

The strong lines of Maggie Q's black gown deserve to be checked out from the side.

Met Gala Red Carpet Details 2014
Getty

Met Gala Red Carpet Details 2014

Thick straps and a deep neckline are pretty, but we love the dramatic green tie of Ming Xi's pick.

Met Gala Red Carpet Details 2014
Getty

Met Gala Red Carpet Details 2014

There was volume aplenty for Ivanka Trump, whose vibrant green dress had a large folded pleat in the center of her back.

Met Gala Red Carpet Details 2014
Getty

Met Gala Red Carpet Details 2014

Solange's sweet satin dress cut a gorgeous figure on its own, but we really liked the matching topper she covered up with when leaving her hotel.

Met Gala Red Carpet Details 2014
Getty

Met Gala Red Carpet Details 2014

With the light hitting her just right, Suki Waterhouse's tiered dress looked even more ethereal.

Met Gala Red Carpet Details 2014
Getty

Met Gala Red Carpet Details 2014

Minimalism has quickly become Allison Williams's signature, but her basic dress looked anything but when you see the dramatic train cascading down the stairs.

Met Gala Red Carpet Details 2014
Getty

Met Gala Red Carpet Details 2014

The dove-gray gown Amy Adams chose had smart folds and details, best viewed in this off-duty moment.

Met Gala Red Carpet Details 2014
Getty

Met Gala Red Carpet Details 2014

As one of the brave women to wear a crop top to the carpet, Cara Delevingne's was made up of multiple bands, keeping it supersexy.

Met Gala Red Carpet Details 2014
Getty

Met Gala Red Carpet Details 2014

Long fabric panels on Blake Lively's dress evoked wings when moving.

Met Gala Red Carpet Details 2014
Getty

Met Gala Red Carpet Details 2014

With layers of sparkle and tulle, Rita Ora's romantic golden dress was made for the profile shot.

Met Gala Red Carpet Details 2014
Getty

Met Gala Red Carpet Details 2014

Far from a simple strapless dress, Reese Witherspoon's hot-pink pick had dips and peaks when examined from the side.

Met Gala Red Carpet Details 2014
Getty

Met Gala Red Carpet Details 2014

Seen from the side, Lily Aldridge's gunmetal-silver gown looked especially sleek.

Met Gala Red Carpet Details 2014
Getty

Met Gala Red Carpet Details 2014

The shape of Karen Elson's blush-pink dress was unlike any we've ever seen before.

Met Gala Red Carpet Details 2014
Getty

Met Gala Red Carpet Details 2014

Neon flowers placed by sheer side panels meant that to get the best view of Julie Macklowe's dress, you needed to stand by her side.

Met Gala Red Carpet Details 2014
Getty

Met Gala Red Carpet Details 2014

This candid shot was too cute not to include: Stella McCartney is clearly feeling very friendly with Rihanna!

Met Gala Red Carpet Details 2014
Getty

Met Gala Red Carpet Details 2014

Ascending the stairs, Suki Waterhouse's gown had such movement it almost appeared as if she was dancing.

Met Gala Red Carpet Details 2014
Getty

Met Gala Red Carpet Details 2014

Rihanna's red carpet crop top landed her on top of our sexiest list, but it was this different view that made us realize how breathtaking her outfit was.

Met Gala Red Carpet Details 2014
Getty

Met Gala Red Carpet Details 2014

While Lupita Nyong'o's dress might've felt like a surprise choice for the buzzy actress, it certainly looks fun when you see it in action.

Met Gala Red Carpet Details 2014
Getty

Met Gala Red Carpet Details 2014

At first glance, the pure glamour of Karolina Kurkova's dress was all we could think about. But this elegant image, showing the angular wing on the bust, had us entranced.

Met Gala Red Carpet Details 2014
Getty

Met Gala Red Carpet Details 2014

Naomi Watts's red carpet bling is nice, but we gravitated to this image simply to investigate the scale-like construction of her dress.

Met Gala Red Carpet Details 2014
Getty

Met Gala Red Carpet Details 2014

Extreme mermaid style gowns like Dita Von Teese's are at their most stunning when viewed in motion.

Met Gala Red Carpet Details 2014
Getty

Met Gala Red Carpet Details 2014

Up close, it was both Brie Larsen's hand cuff and rich gold scales that captivated our attention.

Met Gala Red Carpet Details 2014
Getty

Met Gala Red Carpet Details 2014

The cape-like back of Kate Mara's golden gown made it appear as if she was ready to take flight.

Met Gala Red Carpet Details 2014
Getty

Met Gala Red Carpet Details 2014

Thigh-high leg slits can sometimes miss the mark, but the perfect placement of the one on Elettra Wiedermann's sequin gown, plus the simple slingback, was perfect.

Met Gala Red Carpet Details 2014
Getty

Met Gala Red Carpet Details 2014

What better angle to take in the generous embellishment on Beyonce's gown than a midmovement moment that captures the fan of her sleeve?

Met Gala Red Carpet Details 2014
Getty

Met Gala Red Carpet Details 2014

Seen from behind, the swirls and rich details of Amber Heard's long-sleeved dress were on display.

Met Gala Red Carpet Details 2014
Getty

Met Gala Red Carpet Details 2014

The gathered sections of Jessica Alba's pale gold dress extended all over, including on the back.

Met Gala Red Carpet Details 2014
Getty

Met Gala Red Carpet Details 2014

There was no mistaking who designed Sarah Jessica Parker's dress — with the train fanned out, a very distinguishable signature was obvious.

Met Gala Red Carpet Details 2014
Getty

Met Gala Red Carpet Details 2014

Seen from the side, Kate Upton looked every bit the elegant Dolce & Gabbana woman.

Met Gala Red Carpet Details 2014
Getty

Met Gala Red Carpet Details 2014

Statuesque Karlie Kloss looked most glamorous when the long train of her dress was fully extended.

Met Gala Red Carpet Details 2014
Getty

Met Gala Red Carpet Details 2014

The dapper row of buttons on the back of Hailee Steinfeld's dress made it one of our favorites.

Met Gala Red Carpet Details 2014
Getty

Met Gala Red Carpet Details 2014

When we spotted Sarah Silverman hiking up her ball gown, it was obvious just how voluminous it was.

Met Gala Red Carpet Details 2014
Getty

Met Gala Red Carpet Details 2014

We might've thought Elizabeth Olsen's baby-blue dress was demure when seen from the front, but this shot shows it looks totally backless.

Met Gala Red Carpet Details 2014
Getty

Met Gala Red Carpet Details 2014

Both pants and a skirt, Kristen Wiig's pick deserved a study.

Met Gala Red Carpet Details 2014
Getty

Met Gala Red Carpet Details 2014

The heavy beading of Leighton Meester's golden gown made for a divine look from the side.

Met Gala Red Carpet Details 2014
Getty

Met Gala Red Carpet Details 2014

The impeccable construction of some of the event's gowns, like the one on Bianca Brandolini, required a different view to fully appreciate.

Met Gala Red Carpet Details 2014
Getty

Met Gala Red Carpet Details 2014

Talk about coordination: Giovanna Battaglia's look was all about nature, and the flowers in her hair and butterfly earrings were best viewed close up.

Met Gala Red Carpet Details 2014
Getty

Met Gala Red Carpet Details 2014

The artful construction of Liu Wen's teal dress is best appreciated when you see how the top and skirt stand out on their own.

Met Gala Red Carpet Details 2014
Getty

Met Gala Red Carpet Details 2014

Gisele Bündchen's sleek black dress was as gorgeous from behind as in front thanks to a low, scoop back.

Met Gala Red Carpet Details 2014
Getty

Met Gala Red Carpet Details 2014

With layers upon layers of frothy tulle and real-looking flowers peppered all over, Tabitha Simmons's dress was a sight to see as it swished away.

Met Gala Red Carpet Details 2014
Getty

Met Gala Red Carpet Details 2014

The clean lines of Emma Stone's pink pick were on display when she walked up the steps.

Met Gala Red Carpet Details 2014
Getty

Met Gala Red Carpet Details 2014

The play of fabric on fabric made Bee Shaffer's dress unique and it never looked more special than when moving.

Met Gala Red Carpet Details 2014
Getty

Met Gala Red Carpet Details 2014

The skirt section of Beyonce's dress had a ton of volume to it when pictured moving from side to side.

Met Gala Red Carpet Details 2014
Getty

Met Gala Red Carpet Details 2014

The perfect finishing touch to Lily Donaldson's dress was the long black bow placed on the straps at her shoulders.

Met Gala Red Carpet Details 2014
Getty

Met Gala Red Carpet Details 2014

Nicole Richie's gray velvet dress was decidedly sexy — it looked nearly backless from this angle.

Met Gala Red Carpet Details 2014
Getty

Met Gala Red Carpet Details 2014

The bold print of Coco Brandolini D'Adda's dress, juxtaposed over the soft tulle, was a red carpet statement.

Met Gala Red Carpet Details 2014
Getty

Met Gala Red Carpet Details 2014

It was a definite Red Riding Hood vibe for Monica Bellucci, who picked a luxe choker and lace cape that circled her neck.

Met Gala Red Carpet Details 2014
Getty

Met Gala Red Carpet Details 2014

Glamorous from the front, the open back of Diane Kruger's column gown was worth checking out, too.

Met Gala Red Carpet Details 2014
Getty

Met Gala Red Carpet Details 2014

Forget gloves or shoes; Sarah Jessica Parker's best accessory was the white bloom worn in her hair.

Met Gala Red Carpet Details 2014
Getty

Met Gala Red Carpet Details 2014

When the light hit just right, the black sequins of Dianna Agron's dress shined to the extreme.

Met Gala Red Carpet Details 2014
Getty

Met Gala Red Carpet Details 2014

Embellishments on the sheer green sleeves of Sarah Paulson's dress looked lovely up close.

Met Gala Red Carpet Details 2014
Getty

Met Gala Red Carpet Details 2014

The play of white on pale powder blue, plus the double tier at the skirt, made for a pretty closeup on Aerin Lauder.