The Gilded Age Met Gala Brought The Memes In A Major Way

Last night’s Met Gala saw fashion and media fans from across the internet preparing to watch, judge and (of course) meme. The looks served on the red carpet (which was remarkably dirty) did not disappoint.

me getting ready to judge all the met gala looks pic.twitter.com/RdcGxNbuwO

— haya 🧁 (@girImuse) May 2, 2022

me waiting to judge the met gala looks pic.twitter.com/mBUezCDTYA

— that's so haute (@thatssohaute) May 1, 2022

me getting ready to judge the met gala looks from the comfort of my bed #MetGala pic.twitter.com/CJDzeTPjCh

— ✨ (@PRADAXBBY) May 2, 2022

judging the outfits of millionaires at the MET gala pic.twitter.com/yzLxWiSA0n

— em 🍓 (@uhhmmily) May 3, 2022

Some of the judgment was highly positive, as many memers seemed to appreciate the outfit of musician Anderson .Paak.

anderson paak is giving this meme #MetGala #MetGala2022 #andersonpaak pic.twitter.com/QwCw7dPLCB

— Vanessa Anguiano (@bruhnessa1) May 3, 2022

Overall, however, the men of the Met Gala came under heavy criticism for wearing suits, a look that, apparently, was not interesting enough.

The men in Met Gala every year:#MetGala #MetGala2022 pic.twitter.com/fl302PdC23

— 🧣 WILDEST DREAMS AH AHAHAHA 🧣 (@swiftoursonggg) May 2, 2022

Not someone leaking the men’s Met Gala looks for this year pic.twitter.com/K4hwnTY6jw

— femme fatale 2.0 (@eliesaaabs) April 25, 2022

The Met Gala, which is a benefit ball held every year for the Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, typically features many adventurous and daring outfits. The theme of this year’s gala was In America: An Anthology of Fashion, which is an exhibit at the MoMA celebrating Gilded Age fashion. Many criticized celebrities at the Met Gala for not following the theme.

gilded age has to be the easiest, most easy to follow met gala theme of the latest years yet celebs and designers are still not following it so im starting to believe they just dont give a fuck and use the gala to promote their ready to wear … https://t.co/jgp2VcIHoe

— sofía (@nanastudioz) May 2, 2022

i just think that there should be SOME kind of penalty instituted for being invited to the met gala yet completely missing the theme

— karen han (@karenyhan) May 2, 2022

Alongside the usual meme reactions from the event, some posters online pointed out the irony of a “Gilded Age” theme focusing on decadence and glamour, given current events in the world.

roe v wade going down during the gilded age themed met gala … whew

— morgan sung (@morgan_sung) May 3, 2022

hillary being at the met gala while all this is happening just makes this even more insane. veep-level storytelling. pic.twitter.com/M6OTg5WN2N

— zach silberberg (@zachsilberberg) May 3, 2022

You know what, this coming out while everyone is focused on the Met Gala outfits, is so fitting.

The Gilded Age used expensive and glamorous clothing to distract from social unrest of the time.

And now this is happening. I am so tired. #MetGala2022 #RoeVWade https://t.co/Y2lGsEbu9U

— spooky andi (@highwaterheaven) May 3, 2022

Kendall Jenner and Kylie Jenner were criticized for what some viewed as "ugly outfits."

Twins forever #MetGala2022 #metgala KylieJenner</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/KendallJenner?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">KendallJenner pic.twitter.com/x8E77eA24K

— Ariana Grande ❁ (@ArianaGrande8K) May 3, 2022

Their sister, Kim Kardashian, paid tribute to Marilyn Monroe, wearing the same outfit that the actress and singer wore when she famously sang “Happy Birthday” to John F. Kennedy.

Met Gala -- In America: An Anthology of Fashion

I am so honored to be wearing the iconic dress that Marilyn Monroe wore in 1962 to sing “Happy Birthday” to President John F. Kennedy. It is a stunning skintight gown adorned with more than 6,000 hand-sewn crystals by Jean Louis. pic.twitter.com/o9auAd2tF8

— Kim Kardashian (@KimKardashian) May 3, 2022

now i get why kim kardashian didn’t take a picture with her sisters. #MetGala2022 #MetGala pic.twitter.com/J6ZbidlPEB

— ❤️‍🔥 (@myeternalsuns) May 3, 2022

Perhaps the most posted-about outfit at the 2022 Met Gala, however, was Gig Hadid’s red latex pants, pointed toe boots and matching corset.

The outerwear REALLY makes Gigi Hadid's #MetGala look next-level pic.twitter.com/ZV7PqYL80F

— Alyssa Bailey (@alyssabailey) May 3, 2022

#MetGala me after seeing gigi hadid’s outfit : pic.twitter.com/h29I0PI1Ob

— marc (@marcelieeeee) May 2, 2022

Memers also caught, as always at red carpet events, Jason Derulo falling down the stairs once again this year.

Biblically accurate Jason Derulo falling down the stairs of the #MetGala pic.twitter.com/QqKesHxiXR

— Saddington 3 (in production) (@2Saddington) May 2, 2022

But despite the many interesting looks and outfits, many memers pondered those who didn’t make it to the Met Gala, wishfully posting that they had made it.

ROBERT PATTINSON JUST ARRIVED AT THE MET GALA #MetGala pic.twitter.com/9qowe5e5xA

— ᴋᴏᴛ (@kotchow) May 2, 2022

they would serve looks at the met gala pic.twitter.com/MwtdBHa6aS

— kaya hashitora fans international AUTUMN BIRTHDAYY (@gaybowserz) May 3, 2022

OH MY GOD ITS THE HOMOPHOBIC BUT LISTENING AND LEARNING EVERYDAY MEME DOG HAS ARRIVED #MetGala #MetGala2022 pic.twitter.com/EQlICL4V0S

— Fruity Coded (@EstLuma) May 2, 2022

The Met Gala is an event that is essentially created to produce memes. Instagram was the official sponsor of the Met Gala this year, and celebrities seem to know a good and memeable outfit is a ticket to virality. Yet again, the Met Gala delivered.