The Best Menswear: In America: An Anthology of Fashion
WORDS BY,
DOUGLAS HENRY LEWIS
Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris / Getty Images
the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute has unveiled the second portion of their two-part celebration of American style entitled:
In America: An ANTHOLOGY of Fashion.
4 MINS READ TIME
This past Monday’s annual unveiling of opulent outfits by affluent attendees of the Met Gala took place on a carpet with red, white, and blue.
As promised, This past Monday’s annual unveiling of opulent outfits by affluent attendees of the Met Gala took place on a carpet with red, white, and blue. As promised, the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute has unveiled the second portion of their two-part celebration of American style entitled: In America: An ANTHOLOGY of Fashion. This year’s dress code of “gilded glamour” coincides with the exhibition’s extension into the period rooms of the museum, with a focus on highlighting “sartorial narratives that relate to the complex and layered histories of the American Wing period rooms.” Not everyone’s attire was historically accurate, but those who did stay on theme really brought their A-game: paying a proper homage to the vogue of the late 1800s. These fellows’ spot-on details and accoutrements evoked the extravagant looks of the time’s highest of echelons with such a panache that excites us to revisit this glorious moment dandy history. Move aside, Bridgerton! You are no match for these gilded gents. In America: An ANTHOLOGY of Fashion. This year’s dress code of “gilded glamour” coincides with the exhibition’s extension into the period rooms of the museum, with a focus on highlighting “sartorial narratives that relate to the complex and layered histories of the American Wing period rooms.”
Not everyone’s attire was historically accurate, but those who did stay on theme really brought their A-game: paying a proper homage to the vogue of the late 1800s. These fellows’ spot-on details and accoutrements evoked the extravagant looks of the time’s highest of echelons with such a panache that excites us to revisit this glorious moment dandy history. Move aside, Bridgerton! You are no match for these gilded gents.
Pharell Williams during the 2021 MET Gala on Monday, September 13th, 2021. Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris / Getty Images
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ADRIAN BRODY
Wearing: Thom Browne
Thom Browne is no stranger to fine suiting and tailoring. With this white tie and coattails, Brody simultaneously proves Browne’s superior tailoring abilities and nails the theme without looking too prehistoric to boot. Speaking of. Boots, those which he sports on the carpet are the stuff that dapper dreams are made of.
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JON BAPTISTE
Wearing: Haider Ackermann, Rick Owens, Converse, and Cartier.
Apparently, sweeping Grammys and securing hits is not the only thing Baptiste is good at! That ornate closure for this classic Ralph Lauren suit propels his already-amazing getup five notches, or six. Every bit of elegant evening sexiness and the American dream realized (synonymous with the DNA of RL) was manifested on that night within a single look.
Timothee Chalamet during the 2021 MET Gala on Monday, September 13th, 2021. Photo: Mike Coppola / Getty Images
Steph Curry during the 2021 MET Gala on Monday, September 13th, 2021. Photo: Kevin Mazur / Getty Images
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VICTOR gLEMAUD
Wearing: TOM FORD
Paying tribute to the man who stood at the very top of the Met Stairs for years himself, Glemaud channeled the recently deceased André Leon Talley with an elegant ivory suit and caftan combination that the fashion icon would approve. Heaven opened its gates and dropped Victor (and the spirit of Andre) down from the sky just to attend this event.
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J BALVIN
Wearing: Versace
The clothes by themselves already solidified his place on the best dressed list, but that cane really amplified his entire ensemble, taking us all the way back to the actual gilded age. It also helps that one can see their own reflection in his shoes. Everything about this look, from head to toe is polished perfection.
Tom Ford during the 2021 MET Gala on Monday, September 13th, 2021. Photo: Mike Coppola / Getty Images
Alton Mason during the 2021 MET Gala on Monday, September 13th, 2021. Photo: Kevin Mazur / Getty Images
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HENRY GOLDING
Wearing: Theophilio
A literal knight in shining armor! That ice on the left lapel of the suit along with what’s going on at the wrist and rings is blinding and we’re happy about it. Teleport his look on the carpet to 1889 for some grandiose ball or affair and he would fit right in, and possibly causing quite the stir at the same time.
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Yahya
Wearing: Thom Browne
The embroidery on this jacket may not have been featured on a men’s look back in the Gilded Age, but that doesn’t make it any less phenomenal. The elongated coat tail along with the grills, and diamond-encrusted hairclip are all perfect and uncompromising finishing touches to his cloths. He is sharp as a freshly sharpened number 2 pencil.
Evan Mock during the 2021 MET Gala on Monday, September 13th, 2021. Photo: Jeff Kravitz/ Getty Images
Tyler Mitchell during the 2021 MET Gala on Monday, September 13th, 2021. Photo: Mike Coppola / Getty Images
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DAMSON IDRIS
Wearing: Bode
This British film star clearly memorized his lines to showcase a seriously stellar performance. Dressed in Dunhill, Damson made Sidney Poitier proud, who was the basis of his wardrobe decision for the night. Such crisp and almost military precision to his layering, clean white shirt, and that reversed button formation on the suit. Major brownie points go to those shoes with the strap going across instead of laces! To this sir, with love, the lesson has been taught with clarity and class.
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MARK GUIDUCCI
Wearing: Bode
It comes as no surprise that the Creative Editorial Director for Vogue would shine brightly for an event of such sartorial grandeur. That motif of a wild, rare, bird of beauty on his coat describes exactly what he’s doing here. It’s a masterclass on peacocking, people! In 80 years or so, I wouldn’t be surprised if that exact piece is being shown in the very same museum.
Will Welch during the 2022 MET Gala on Monday, September 2nd, 2022. Photo: Mike Coppola / Getty Images