When stars were asked to celebrate the American-themed Met Gala [1], they complied with the dress code — and then some. We were treated to the return of a bustling (and fully vaccinated) red carpet, rife with the kind of all-out, stop-you-in-your-tracks glamour that's been absent for the better part of two years. On Monday night, celebrities reveled in the return of the highly anticipated Met Gala with a set of stunning looks that paid homage to the theme by celebrating American designers, American culture, and some of the country's beloved icons, giving us all a glimpse of the America we love.

Some moments were more theatrical (we're looking at you, Lil Nas X [2]), while others were subtler nods to Americana. With the range of looks taking over the red carpet, choosing favorites isn't easy, but these eight women each told a unique story with their outfits and wowed us on arrival. From cochair Amanda Gorman, in a custom Vera Wang gown [3], to Kaia Gerber, whose Oscar de la Renta gown paid homage to Bianca Jagger's 1981 Met Ball look, flip through for our best dressed of the night.

Amanda Gorman

Amanda Gorman's stunning custom Vera Wang creation [4] was made to look like a starry night.

Barbie Ferreira

Barbie looked like a Met Gala pro in this pearl-covered Jonathan Simkhai confection [5].

Yara Shahidi

The actress paid homage to the theme with a custom Dior look inspired by Josephine Baker.

Billie Eilish

The singer wowed us in the most glamorous custom Oscar de la Renta gown [6].

Jordan Alexander

The Gossip Girl [7] actress made her Met Gala debut in a corseted Christopher John Rogers look.

Zoë Kravitz

Zoë left us speechless in this sultry, sparkly, see-through mesh creation by Saint Laurent [8].

Kaia Gerber

The model was a vision in this Oscar de la Renta ballgown, a replica that paid homage to the dress Bianca Jagger wore to the Met Gala in 1981.

Normani

The singer looked like royalty in this beautifully bold Valentino gown [9].