A toast to those who shot for the moon, landed amongst the stars, and promptly burst into flames. In all fairness, there were far fewer Valiant Failures this year than at most Met Galas, because this was the rare year where it was possible to hit the theme and still look kind of average. But let’s discuss those stars who aimed, but missed the mark.
KATY PERRY
ensemble by Atelier Versace
Photo: Andrew H. Walker/Rex/Shutterstock
Disco in the front; college theater production of Angels in America in the back. These damn wings are simultaneously too much and not enough. If she’d paired them with wisps of organza and tulle, she could have walked the red carpet as an actual angel. But tacking them onto a pretty basic, tacky dress was a perplexing choice.
ALICIA VIKANDER
gown by Louis Vuitton, jewelry by Nikos Koulis
Photo: Andrew H. Walker/Rex/Shutterstock
Well, Alicia didn’t really shoot for much besides “Louis Vuitton, but make it churchy.” It’s definitely on brand, but it’s not a brand I want to buy.
ANYA TAYLOR JOY
gown by Dolce & Gabbana
Photo: Matt Baron/Rex/Shutterstock
I gave her the benefit of the doubt, and assumed those ridiculous flowers on her head were actually part of someone else’s outfit behind her. The gown, necklace, and copper floral crown are all curated so perfectly together for maximum baroque fierceness. Surely she didn’t ruin that whole gorgeous effect by tacking some random extra flowers that have nothing to do with the florals she’s already wearing onto the back of her head? Alas, my dear readers:
Photo: HawtCelebs
What a fun way to ruin all the gorgeous detailing by pulling focus to a white rose. You were SO CLOSE to a hit, Anya.
ARIANA GRANDE
gown by Vera Wang, jewelry by Butani
Photo: Andrew H. Walker/Rex/Shutterstock
The Sistine Chapel-inspired gown is definitely on theme, and she looks beautiful, but I couldn’t bring myself to put this on the best dressed list. I guess I’m more interested in stars who made themselves look like a Michaelangelo than the stars who just wore one on a dress.
SHAILENE WOODLEY
dress by Ralph Lauren
Photo: Amy Sussman/WWD/Rex/Shutterstock
Sorry, sweetheart, but this was only the third-best Joan of Arc cosplay at this event. And nobody remembers who came in third place.
BLAKE LIVELY
gown by Atelier Versace, headpiece by Lorraine Schwartz
Photo: Andrew H. Walker/Shutterstock
I’ll admit it, this is pretty damn good. Blake just has the misfortune of being upstaged by that guy just over her shoulder, who looks SO FUCKING ON POINT, OH MY GOD, WHO IS THAT, SOMEONE IDENTIFY THIS FASHION MAVEN PLEASE, I WANT US TO BE BEST FRIENDS. (Update: A+ sleuth and devoted reader Kati tells me that is Christian Louboutin. Because OF COURSE IT IS.)
EIZA GONZALEZ
gown by Prabal Gurung, jewelry by Tasaki, shoes by Giuseppe Zanotti
Photo: People.com
One word: nunsense.
JENNIFER CONNELLY
gown by Louis Vuitton
Photo: Andrew H. Walker/Rex/Shutterstock
What… what am I even looking at right now? This makes me feel as lost and confused as when I try to understand Catholicism. So, right on target, I guess.
LENA DUNHAM
necklace by Stephen Russell, purse by Tyler Ellis
Photo: People.com
Could have made my best dressed list if I didn’t hate her so much, and if she lost the purse. (I may be biased, but at least I’m honest about my biases.)
STELLA MAXWELL
gown by Moschino, jewelry by David Yurman
Photo: Neilson Barnard/Getty
This is cheating! Pick ONE!
TAYLOR HILL
gown by Diane von Furstenberg, jewelry by Jacob & Co., shoes by Christian Louboutin
Photo: Neilson Barnard/Getty
Well, she certainly committed. But for me, the best looks were not just clergy cosplay, but costumes that inhabited the Heavenly Bodies part of the theme. The more mystical and magical, the better. This was literal enough to do the job, but not imaginative enough to claim a victory.
MADONNA
gown by Jean Paul Gaultier
Photo: Neilson Barnard/Getty
I mean, this is basically exactly what all of us expected, but the heaviness of it is a let-down. And despite the sheer cross down the center, it’s strangely covered up. Goodbye, Madonna; hello, grandmadonna.
The Democracy Diva 
I actually loved Blake’s look. You need to check her insta for the custom shoes CL made for her. He was actually her date for the event – her insta stories the night off and following were awesome
Will do! ❤
I’m surprised Blake wasn’t on the best dressed list, my favorite look of the night!
OK, enough people have said this to me that I am going to FOR ONCE admit that I was wrong and should’ve put her in the Best Dressed post. In my defense, that post is VERY long and I was trying to save space! 🙂