Met Gala 2025 rulebook: No garlic, no selfies, no slip-ups; dos and don’ts of fashion’s most elite night

The Met Gala 2025 is finally here—and as always, it’s way more than just a parade of jaw-dropping outfits. It’s fashion’s biggest night, an ultra-exclusive mix of culture, style, and serious star power, all set inside New York City’s iconic Metropolitan Museum of Art.
This year’s theme? “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style”—a stylish nod to Black dandyism and its impact on global fashion. Think sharp tailoring, rich fabrics, and looks that speak volumes about heritage, identity, and elegance. It's inspired by Slaves to Fashion by Monica L. Miller, and if you’re expecting a showcase of power dressing with deep cultural roots—you’re absolutely right.
Fashion legend Anna Wintour has been running the show since 1995, and she’s back this year with a seriously star-studded lineup of co-chairs. The 2025 dream team includes Pharrell Williams, actor Colman Domingo, Formula One champ Lewis Hamilton, rap royalty and style icon A$AP Rocky, and of course, Wintour herself. Oh, and did we mention LeBron James is on board as the honorary co-chair? Now that’s a starting lineup.


You’d think in 2025 we’d be living on livestreams, but not at the Met Gala. Since 2015, there’s been a strict no-phone, no-selfie rule. The idea is to keep the night intimate and distraction-free (read: no doomscrolling at the dinner table). But of course, rules are meant to be broken. Remember Kylie Jenner’s legendary bathroom selfie from 2017? Yeah, that one with A$AP Rocky, Kim K, and about 20 other A-listers squeezed into one frame.

Even the menu at the Met Gala has to slay. But don’t expect strong flavors or messy bites—garlic, onions, and parsley are banned. Not because the A-listers are picky, but to avoid breath issues and green stuff stuck in your teeth (fair enough). Foods that could stain those jaw-dropping designer gowns—like bruschetta—are also off the table. Literally.

Another big rule: no smoking anywhere inside. This one's been around since 2003, and it’s partly about preserving museum artifacts—and partly about not setting a $20,000 dress on fire.

You might think the celebs just grab a seat and start mingling, but nope. Seating is serious business. Anna Wintour and her team spend weeks arranging the guest list to spark connections and avoid drama. They look at past beefs, future collabs, vibes, chemistry—you name it. It’s like matchmaking, but for haute couture conversations.

The 2025 dress code is a big one: “Tailored for You.” It invites guests to bring their own spin to the Black dandyism theme—expect custom looks, statement suits, luxe fabrics, and an explosion of personal style. It's all about individuality, elegance, and cultural pride. Basically, the red carpet is going to be fire.

Think scoring an invite is as easy as knowing someone at Vogue? Not even close. Tickets cost a jaw-dropping $75,000 each. Want a table? That’ll be $350,000. And don’t assume paying gets you control of who sits where—Anna still runs the seating chart. You're basically paying for the privilege of showing up, not curating your own table.

With a guest list full of the world’s most famous faces, security is next-level. The NYPD enforces a mile-wide “frozen zone” around the museum, complete with rooftop snipers, drones, and license plate scanners. It's all about keeping things safe—and keeping the event sealed off from chaos.
Sure, we all live for the looks and the celeb moments. But what makes the Met Gala truly iconic isn’t just the fashion—it’s the flawless execution. From the no-garlic rule to seating chart strategy, every single detail is obsessively planned. That’s what makes it fashion’s most elite night—not just who’s wearing what, but how the entire night is designed to be unforgettable.

So as Met Gala 2025 unfolds, just remember: behind every polished photo and dramatic train is a rulebook longer than the red carpet. And that’s what makes it magic.