Source: The New Yorker
Summary
The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute has announced a “hats-not-encouraged” dress code for this year’s Met Gala. Designers and historians have weighed in on the decision, with some calling it a missed opportunity to celebrate the art of millinery. According to historian Caroline Rennolds Milbank, the move reflects a broader shift away from formal dressing. Designer Marc Jacobs said he was “surprised” by the decision.
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The trend returns with a new name.
The “hats-not-encouraged” dress code feels like a familiar refrain. Designers like Philip Treacy and Stephen Jones have long been pushing the boundaries of millinery art. The Met Gala’s decision to discourage hats is a reminder that fashion’s cyclical nature often prioritizes simplicity over spectacle. The move also echoes the minimalist aesthetic of the 1990s, when supermodels like Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell popularized a more understated look. TheMet Gala’s dress code is just another iteration of fashion’s ongoing conversation with itself.
Author: Evan Null
