met gala 2022

Ranking All the Best Corsets From the Met Gala Red Carpet

Photo-Illustration: by The Cut; Photos: Getty Images

It wouldn’t be a Met Gala if the red carpet wasn’t followed by a hot debate about which guests nailed the theme. To refresh your memory, this year’s theme is “gilded glamour,” so think excess, gold, glitz, and obviously glamour. One thing that’s not up for debate? Corsets. Nearly everyone wore one tonight, and the question is who wore it best — and if anyone wore them quite as good as Lenny Kravitz (spoiler alert: no). Below, our definitive ranking.

1. Lenny Kravitz

Photo: Theo Wargo/WireImage

Lenny Kravitz would have worn this exact outfit regardless of the theme and still would have looked incredible. For that, he is No. 1.

2. Billie Eilish in Gucci

Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/

Billy Eilish gave us glamour and theatrics in her all-Gucci ensemble. Every red carpet pose was good — if Kravitz weren’t No. 1, she would be in the top spot.

3. Paloma Elsesser in Coach

Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/

Paloma Elsesser understood the assignment. The models is here to show us how it’s done — in a very sexy Coach look that is also on theme. J’adore.

4. Precious Lee in Altuzarra

Photo: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for The Met Museum/

Model Precious Lee always stuns on the red carpet, and for that, we are grateful. She gave us a mermaid moment with her corset and sheer, sequined gown.

5. Laura Harrier in Victor Glemaud

Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/

This is pretty! She’s no Lenny Kravitz, but it’s a great look from Victor Glemaud.

6. Bella Hadid in Burberry

Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images

Bella Hadid in Burberry — that’s it. Was it on theme? Eh. But again, we’re not here to debate that.

7. SZA in Vivienne Westwood

Photo: Cindy Ord/Getty Images for The Met Museum/

Go big or go home! SZA gets points for wearing a big hat. She didn’t wear her Crocs, but the thigh-high latex boots and gloves were a fun choice.

8. Tessa Thompson in Carolina Herrera

Photo: Kevin Mazur/MG22/Getty Images for The Met Museum/

This is very pretty, and for that, I think this Carolina Herrera look on Tessa Thompson gets points.

9. Sydney Sweeney in Tory Burch

Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images

It’s two dresses: Her pretty billowing, corseted gown turned into a minidress. Fun!

10. Gigi Hadid in Versace

Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images

Gigi’s monochromatic Versace look was a moment; she paired her corset with latex and a puffer. The message was mixed, but the colors were good. It is around 50 degrees in NYC right now, so we bet everyone else wishes they were wearing a puffer.

11. Maisie Williams

Photo: Cindy Ord/Getty Images for The Met Museum/

Also no Lenny Kravitz, but Maisie Williams doesn’t shy away from a bold look — and that’s how you wear a corset.

12. Evan Mock in Head of State

Photo: Theo Wargo/WireImage

Evan Mock’s corset get points for the sheer boldness of his Head of State look — I mean, pale yellow, ruffles and butt cleavage! He’s not No. 1, but he’s having fun.

13. Ben Platt in Christian Cowan

Photo: Kevin Mazur/MG22/Getty Images for The Met Museum/

We love to see a man in a corset. Ben Platt’s last but certainly not least. We just wish he had a little more fun. Next year, Ben!

Ranking Every Corset From the Met Gala Red Carpet