The Biggest and Boldest Met Gala Hair Accessories of All Time
The Met Gala is nigh; prepare yourself for some epic headpieces. The annual event, which is cochaired by legendary Vogue editor Anna Wintour, is an ever-changing spectacle (the first one was held way back in 1946), but it usually features two things.
The first thing is celebrities — lots and lots of celebrities. The second, which is most important for beauty lovers, is that said celebrities often wear extravagant headpieces. The first Monday in May is quite a time to be alive, as you can see the likes of Madonna, Sarah Jessica Parker, Rihanna, and more all turn out in their finest headbands, hair clips, and the occasional bedazzled beret (looking at you, Karolina Kurkova).
We'll leave it up to you to decide whether these styles are hits or misses. Read on to see the biggest and boldest in recent memory.
2001: Diana Ross
Let us set the tone with Diana's feather fascinator.
2003: Iman
The model channeled flapper energy with her finger-wave hair and white floral pin.
2005: Lil' Kim
Lil' Kim matched her emerald eye shadow to her green hair clip.
2005: Amanda Peet
While Amanda's sparkling accessory may not be the boldest thing in town, I decided to include it, because as a former mid-aughts skinny headband-wearer, I can attest that those things hurt. She did the most for the Met Gala, so, respect!
2005: Mariska Hargitay
Detective Olivia Benson would surely approve of Mariska's petal-esque silver clip.
2007: Jennifer Lopez
J Lo opted to pair her disco diva curls with a butterfly clip that was just as attention-grabbing as her metallic frock.
2007: Kirsten Dunst
Just after portraying Marie Antoinette in the 2006 film, the boho-loving actress opted to channel a different historical era with her flapper-esque bow.
2007: Lucy Liu
Lucy Liu looked like Wonder Woman with her golden tiara.
2007: Juliette Lewis
There can be more than one Wonder Woman, as made evident by Juliette's similar style. Call golden tiaras a trend!
2008: Amanda Peet
This is Amanda Peet's second time on this list, which proves that once you wear a headband to the Met Gala, it's hard to go back.
2009: Madonna
Madonna's wacky hat earned her a position on many of that year's "Worst Dressed" lists, but we think that's unfair since she literally looks like a work of art. It's called fashion . . . look it up!
2009: Lake Bell
Lake Bell's menswear-inspired look was super ahead of its time — and totally covetable.
2010: Sarah Jessica Parker
Sarah Jessica Parker or the embodiment of a Christmas present? We're swooning over her bow-tastic look.
2011: Janelle Monae
Janelle's no stranger to wearing suits on the red carpet, and we're cheering for her veil attachment.
2011: Isabel Lucas
Isabel looks like a living Renaissance princess here. Bonus points for the matchy-matchy earrings.
2011: Serena Williams
Serena's classic fascinator is fit for a royal wedding.
2011: Rashida Jones
This headband probably also hurt like a b*tch, but Rashida pulled it off like a pro, and it earned her a spot on our very exclusive list. Worth it!
2011: Jessica Alba
Oh, nothing to see here, just Jessica Alba looking like a literal goddess with a bejeweled bun. Carry on.
2011: Kate Hudson
A pregnant Kate served regal realness with her sun-shaped pin.
2011: Fergie
Friendly reminder: Fergie did flower crowns before they were cool.
2011: Naomi Campbell
Naomi adorned her vintage updo with a pretty bow clip like the professional she is.
2011: Demi Moore
Demi looks angry here, but I'd be nothing but smiles if I got to wear this many feathers.
2012: Linda Evangelista
Who says all black has to be boring? Not Linda, who repped an architectural bow.
2012: Karolina Kurková
Whoops, didn't see you there, Karolina. The way you rep that bedazzled beret, we thought you were a silent film star.
2013: Paloma Faith
I'm wearing Paloma's scaffolding-inspired pin the next time I go out to ward off any unwanted dance partners.
2013: Sarah Jessica Parker
SJP loves a good headdress! This navy blue one was a real stunner from all angles.
2013: Katy Perry
Katy Perry in a gemstone crown is also me on the first day of my birthday month.
2014: Sarah Jessica Parker
Another stunner from SJP! This time she opted to match it with her black-and-white Oscar de la Renta gown.
2014: Olivia Munn
I could take flight after getting a glimpse of Olivia's majestic bird pin.
2014: Kate Upton
From the looks of her black floral crown, it seems like Kate Upton wanted to channel a badass goth girl at a music festival. Nailed it!
2014: Nicole Richie
OK, so there are technically no hair accessories here, but I made the executive decision to add Nicole in here because those lavender locks are something special.
2014: Beyoncé
Beyoncé's femme fatal fishnet hairpiece was ultra moody.
2014: Lupita Nyong'o
Lupita was a vision in green with her 1920s-esque headband and beaded dress.
2015: Rihanna
The world, and meme culture, will never recover from Rihanna's show-stopping yellow Guo Pei number. We're equally gaga over her crown headband.
2015: Selena Gomez
Selena paired her all-white floral hairpiece with vampy red lipstick, because life is all about balance.
2016: Madonna
Madge chose to wear a large medallion in her hair, which she expertly sandwiched between two symmetrical curtain bangs.
2016: FKA Twigs
FKA's hair chains will totally mesmerize you, especially when you notice that one connects to her nose piercing. Rad!
2017: Celine Dion
I will always love the sharp black hair accoutrement Celine wore to her very first Met Gala.
2017: Cara Delevingne
What do you do when you shave your head before the Met Gala? (Truly a universal question!) If you're Cara, you paint your head silver, with added rhinestones for variety.
2017: Katy Perry
The year's host opted for add a little shout-out to her "Witness" single on her lace veil.