The 2021 Met Gala [1] featured celebs finding new and creative ways to evoke the year's theme [2]. With a dress code centred on the theme of American Independence, corresponding with the Met's In America: A Lexicon of Fashion [3] exhibit, the gala showcased the very best of American fashion [4] 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.

Indigenous Model and Activist Quannah Chasinghorse Wore Authentic Navajo Turquoise Jewels

Amanda Gorman Was Inspired by the Statue of Liberty

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

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

Lili Reinhart Wore Every US State Flower on Her Dress

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Lorde Was Inspired by Pennies and the Statue of Liberty

Ciara Paid Tribute to the All-American Sport of Football

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

Russell Westbrook Referenced the Flag With His Hairstyle

Megan Rapinoe Put Her Spin on the American Flag

Debbie Harry Paired Denim With Flag Stripes

Dan Levy Featured Maps of the US and Canada

Jennifer Lopez Brought Glamour to the Wild, Wild West

Billie Eilish Evoked Old Hollywood Starlets

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

Kendall Jenner Was Covered in Stars

Naomi Osaka Honoured Her American, Haitian, and Japanese Heritage

Leon Bridges Brought Wild West Ranch Vibes

Barbie Ferreira Went Old Hollywood With Major Beading

Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Made a Political Statement

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