Update Consent

What Was the Met Gala Theme 2021?

O Say Can You See How Perfectly These Celebs Nailed the Theme of the 2021 Met Gala

The 2021 Met Gala featured celebs finding new and creative ways to evoke the year's theme. With a dress code centred on the theme of American Independence, corresponding with the Met's In America: A Lexicon of Fashion exhibit, the gala showcased the very best of American fashion and all the different meanings that "Americana" can take.

Though some stars took a subtler approach, there were a handful of celebs who absolutely understood the assignment and soared bald-eagle-style above the rest! There were definitely a few "traditional" Americana designs but also several that evoked the rich history and diversity of what it means to be American in 2021. Take a look at some of our picks for the most on-theme stars of the night.

Image Source: Getty / Theo Wargo

Indigenous Model and Activist Quannah Chasinghorse Wore Authentic Navajo Turquoise Jewels

Image Source: Getty / Taylor Hill

Amanda Gorman Was Inspired by the Statue of Liberty

Image Source: Getty / Theo Wargo

Gemma Chan Paid Tribute to the First Chinese American Hollywood Movie Star, Anna May Wong

Image Source: Getty / John Shearer

Saweetie's Train Featured the Black American Heritage and Filipino Flags

Image Source: Getty / Cindy Ord / MG21

Watch This!

Pop Quiz

Watch the Cast of Fear Street Play a Creepy Game of Horror Movie "Would You Rather"

Lili Reinhart Wore Every US State Flower on Her Dress

Image Source: Getty / Mike Coppola

Mj Rodriguez Combined the Victorian Era With the 1960s to Reference American Evolution

Image Source: Getty / Mike Coppola

Yara Shahidi's Look Was Inspired by American-Born Entertainer and Activist Josephine Baker

Image Source: Getty / Sean Zanni

Amandla Stenberg's Ballroom-Scene Look Was a Nod to Black and Queer Fashion Trailblazers

Image Source: Getty / Theo Wargo

Chance the Rapper's Ralph Lauren Look Was a Throwback to '90s-Era Olympic Fashion

Image Source: Getty / Taylor Hill

NikkieTutorials's Flower Crown Paid Tribute to Transgender Activist Marsha P. Johnson

Image Source: Getty / Sean Zanni

Janet Mock's Gown Was a Tribute to American Author Zora Neale Hurston

Image Source: Getty / Taylor Hill 

Ben Platt's Denim-on-Denim Look Was an Homage to Studio 54

Image Source: Getty / Taylor Hill

Lorde Was Inspired by Pennies and the Statue of Liberty

Image Source: Getty / Theo Wargo

Ciara Paid Tribute to the All-American Sport of Football

Image Source: Getty / Mike Coppola

Imaan Hammam Put the "Stars" in "Stars and Stripes"

Image Source: Getty / Kevin Mazur / MG21

Russell Westbrook Referenced the Flag With His Hairstyle

Image Source: Getty / Mike Coppola

Megan Rapinoe Put Her Spin on the American Flag

Image Source: Getty / Dimitrios Kambouris

Debbie Harry Paired Denim With Flag Stripes

Image Source: Getty / Taylor Hill

Dan Levy Featured Maps of the US and Canada

Image Source: Getty / Taylor Hill

Jennifer Lopez Brought Glamour to the Wild, Wild West

Image Source: Getty / Mike Coppola

Billie Eilish Evoked Old Hollywood Starlets

Image Source: Getty / Taylor Hill

Emily Blunt's Glamorous, Starry Look Channeled Actress Hedy Lamarr

Image Source: Getty / Theo Wargo

Kendall Jenner Was Covered in Stars

Image Source: Getty / Mike Coppola

Naomi Osaka Honoured Her American, Haitian, and Japanese Heritage

Image Source: Getty / John Shearer 

Leon Bridges Brought Wild West Ranch Vibes

Image Source: Getty / Taylor Hill

Barbie Ferreira Went Old Hollywood With Major Beading

Image Source: Getty / Dimitrios Kambouris 

Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Made a Political Statement

Image Source: Getty / Kevin Mazur

Megan Thee Stallion Brought Old Hollywood Glamour in Her 1940s-Inspired Gown

Image Source: Getty / Dimitrios Kambouris 

Want More?

POPSUGAR Would Like To Send You Push Notifications.