Gwyneth Paltrow Sideswipes Met Gala Costume Trend Says “I’m Going In A Dress”

Actress and entrepreneur Gwyneth Paltrow says she has no interest in turning the Met Gala into a costume event for herself, explaining that when she attends the high-profile fashion gathering, she prefers to appear in traditional evening wear rather than elaborate themed outfits, as reported by Page Six.

Paltrow discussed her views while reflecting on some of her past red carpet appearances, including several occasions when she attended the annual fundraiser at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.

The event, widely referred to as the “Oscars of Fashion,” draws celebrities, designers, and public figures who interpret a theme tied to the museum’s Costume Institute exhibition.

Gwyneth Paltrow shades stars who dress in ‘costume’ for the Met Gala: ‘I’m going in a dress’ “I’m me — so I’m never going to the Met Ball in like, a hot dog costume or whatever, you know?,” Paltrow declared. https://t.co/4a8igujdz2 pic.twitter.com/5DSCrRa0aN

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While many attendees have become known for elaborate or theatrical outfits tied to the theme, Paltrow said that approach does not match her style.

“I’m me — so I’m never going to the Met Ball in like, a hot dog costume or whatever, you know?” she said. “I always have to be myself, first and foremost. Like, I’m not going in a costume; I’m going in a dress.”

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Paltrow also described her broader view of how people approach the event.

“There’s two camps who go to the Met Ball — the costume or the evening dress. And I’m always going to be an evening dress person.”

The actress acknowledged that her feelings about the gala itself have been mixed over the years.

Reflecting on the event, Paltrow said, “I have sort of a love-hate relationship with the Met Ball that’s well documented.”

.@GwynethPaltrow wears a Calvin Klein By Appointment pale pink one-shoulder sequined cocktail dress with an angled front slit. #MetGala pic.twitter.com/sdHbJfVLxZ

— calvinklein (@CalvinKlein) May 2, 2017

The Met Gala is held annually on the first Monday in May and is known for its elaborate themes and dramatic red carpet looks.

In 2019, the gala featured the theme “Notes on Camp,” which encouraged guests to embrace theatrical or exaggerated fashion.

During that event, singer Katy Perry arrived dressed as a chandelier and later appeared in a hamburger costume.

Katy Perry s’habille en chandelier ET en burger au MET Gala 2019 ️ https://t.co/67Z8P9G3xQ #MetGala pic.twitter.com/icRuxCQ9l1

— Vogue France (@VogueFrance) May 7, 2019

Other celebrities have also embraced the theme-driven nature of the event.

At the 2023 Met Gala, which honored the life and legacy of designer Karl Lagerfeld, musician Doja Cat appeared on the red carpet wearing prosthetics to transform into Lagerfeld’s pet cat, Choupette.

The Met Gala red carpet witnessed Doja Cat’s purr-fectly committed portrayal of Choupette, leaving interviewers to decipher her delightfully feline responses ✨#DojaCat #MetGala #Choupette #KarlLagerfeld #RedCarpetFashion pic.twitter.com/jFGo9F7Qey

— PopstarParade (@Popstar_Parade) March 13, 2026

Paltrow has taken a different approach during her appearances at the gala.

In 2019, she wore a yellow Chloé dress that she described as inspired by “Valley of the Dolls.” She compared the look to “like a lemon chiffon pie.”

Among her past red carpet appearances, Paltrow said her favorite outfit came from the 2012 Met Gala.

That look featured a Prada halter mini dress that was originally designed to be paired with a skirt. Paltrow said she chose to wear the halter dress without the additional skirt when she attended the event.

Despite naming the 2012 outfit as her favorite red carpet look, Paltrow previously shared that the event itself was not particularly enjoyable for her.

Gwyneth Paltrow at the 1995 met gala pic.twitter.com/EAskemN4pD

— gwyneth paltrow fan account (@paltrowart) May 5, 2025

In 2013, she told USA Today about her experience attending the gala.

“It was so un-fun. It was boiling. It was too crowded. I did not enjoy it at all.”

Even with those comments, Paltrow returned to the Met Gala several years later, attending again four years after her remarks.

She is not the only celebrity who has spoken publicly about frustrations with the event.

Other public figures, including Amy Schumer and Demi Lovato, have also expressed negative experiences related to the gala.

Actress Lena Dunham wrote in 2016 that the event felt like “a crazy countdown to when we could escape.”

Despite those reactions, many celebrities who have criticized the gala have continued to attend in later years. Dunham is listed on the host committee for the event this year.

The Met Gala remains one of the most closely watched events in fashion and entertainment, drawing global attention each year as celebrities gather at the Metropolitan Museum of Art for the annual fundraiser.

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