Every Plus-Size Fashion Moment From the Met Gala Over the Years

Published on 5/5/2022 at 5:55 PM

This year brought a slightly more inclusive Met Gala red carpet, although when it comes to body diversity at the ball, representation has been notably lacking through the years.

In a 2017 interview with The Cut following her first official appearance at the Met Gala, plus-size model Ashley Graham shared how difficult it was to find a designer to dress her for the red carpet. "I couldn't get a designer to dress me," she said. "You can't just show up in jeans and a T-shirt." At the time, several fashion houses refrained from collaborating with plus-size celebrities invited to the gala.

Graham has since walked the red carpet at the Met three consecutive times, wearing H&M Couture, Prabal Gurung, and Gucci x Dapper Dan, respectively. And slowly, the tide is changing.

For the 2022 Met Gala, there were several moments in plus-size fashion to celebrate, from Paloma Elsesser's sculpted Coach look to Lizzo's elaborate cape coat from Thom Browne. The Gilded Age references a time when curves were celebrated — gowns were finished with hoop skirts and bustles to make them more voluminous, and corsets were designed to emphasize a full bust — so it's great to see more curve representation at the event.

Ahead, we're looking back at the best plus-size fashion outfits from Met Galas past and hoping for more to come as designers continue to embrace body diversity on the runway and red carpet.

Lizzo Wearing Thom Browne at the 2022 Met Gala

The dramatic embroidery on Lizzo's Thom Browne cape took 1,200 hours to create, and she showed up on the "Gilded Glamour" carpet with a gold flute to match her ornate jewelry.

Nicola Coughlan Wearing Richard Quinn at the 2022 Met Gala

Coughlan channeled both her "Bridgerton" character and Victorian-era dressing in this pink, satin Richard Quinn gown complete with dramatic pouf sleeves, 3D feather embellishments, crystal floral appliqué, and a sweetheart corset.

Paloma Elsesser Wearing Coach at the 2022 Met Gala

Elsesser brilliantly pulled off the 2022 theme in a corseted look and pearl choker designed to reflect fashion from the Gilded Age. Even her delicate Coach purse took the form of a minaudière, rather than a carryall bag.

Precious Lee Wearing Altuzarra at the 2022 Met Gala

Lee worked with Joseph Altuzarra to bring this imaginative look to life to highlight the sculpted silhouettes of the Gilded Age. With a train finished in dramatic paillettes, she called her look "galactic gilded siren" in a detailed diary she documented for Vogue.

Barbie Ferreira Wearing Jonathan Simkhai at the 2021 Met Gala

The "Euphoria" star was dripping in pearls in this Jonathan Simkhai gown that elevated the classic Hollywood look. She accessorized with rhinestone-encrusted Amina Muaddi sandals.

Paloma Elsesser Wearing Zac Posen at the 2021 Met Gala

For the "America: A Lexicon of Fashion" ball, Elsesser turned heads in a custom scarlet Zac Posen dress with a satin pleated bodice. She finished her look with Ana Khouri jewels.

Precious Lee Wearing Area at the 2021 Met Gala

Lee wowed in this sculpted Area design with sharply tailored shoulders and a braided, fringe hem. Slipping into custom glass sandals from Amina Muaddi, the supermodel finished the look with a matching angel-wing purse.

Lizzo Wearing Marc Jacobs at the 2019 Met Gala

Lizzo mastered the 2019 Met Gala "Camp" theme in her Marc Jacobs flamingo dress and feathered coat and finished with a matching pink hairstyle, channeling the 1964 campy film "What a Way to Go!"

Ashley Graham Wearing Gucci x Dapper Dan at the 2019 Met Gala

Graham showed off the Dapper Dan x Gucci collaboration in her logo blazer minidress for the "Camp"-themed ball. She complemented her look with shimmery tights and jewels from Brumani, Stephen Webster, Hueb, and Amwaj.

Paloma Elsesser Wearing Brock Collection at the 2019 Met Gala

For the "Camp: Notes on Fashion" gala, Elsesser pulled off a Regency-core riff on denim in a two-piece look from Brock Collection, finishing the moment with dramatic ombré eyeshadow, PVC sandals, and delicate jewelry.

Ashley Graham Wearing Prabal Gurung at the 2018 Met Gala

For the "Heavenly Bodies" gala, Graham opted for a sequined Prabal Gurung gown with a long, floor-sweeping train and strappy gold sandals.

Ashley Graham Wearing H&M Couture at the 2017 Met Gala

For Graham's first Met Gala, she tapped H&M to design her striking dress: a red-and-white confection with floral detail at the shoulder, down the bodice, and along the mermaid hem.