Superfine & Superfly – Black Dandyism at the 2025 Met Gala

If you’re fashion fans like us, then you definitely tuned into the Met Gala this past Monday, and you probably noticed the red carpet wasn’t ruled by ball gowns this time. Instead, it was all about sharp suits, bold tailoring, canes and unapologetic flair. The theme? “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” – a celebration of Black dandyism that turned the Met steps into a runway of resistance, elegance and cultural pride.

But if you’re wondering what exactly is dandyism and why it had fashion’s biggest night in a chokehold, then you’re in the right place! Here’s an overview of dandyism – what it is, where it was born, and why it matters, especially for the Met Gala.

“If people turn to look at you on the street, you are not well dressed,” says 18th-century icon, Beau Brummell.

Dandyism 101

Dandyism isn’t just about dressing up—it’s a lifestyle, an aesthetic. It first gained traction in 18th-century England with style icon Beau Brummell, who flipped the script on European aristocratic excess and made clean, elegant, tailored menswear the new gold standard (think clean girl aesthetic for 18th-century men). His mantra? “If people turn to look at you on the street, you are not well dressed.” Brummell’s influence cemented him as a fashion tastemaker in Regency England, setting the trend for understated sophistication in male fashion for decades. His minimalist approach to menswear—a stark contrast to the flamboyant embroidery and powdered wigs of the prior century—redefined what it meant to be stylish. Brummell wasn’t just admired; he was emulated. Men across England, and eventually Europe, took cues from his polished yet effortless ensembles, which emphasized perfectly tailored cuts, fine fabrics, and a refined colour palette. In essence, he wrote the blueprint for modern men’s fashion, and his legacy can still be seen today in the enduring appeal of the classic suit.

But the movement didn’t stop there. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Black individuals across the U.S., Caribbean and Africa redefined dandyism into something bolder, louder, and more maximalist, rooted in resistance. By remixing European styles with cultural pride, Black dandies used fashion to subvert racism, reclaim dignity and carve out space in a world that tried to exclude them.

Where Dandyism Found Its Groove

The heartbeat of Black dandyism pulsed through the Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s and ’30s. In segregated America, style became a form of power. For Black artists like Langston Hughes, Josephine Baker and Gladys Bentley, fashion wasn’t just fun, it was political. Think velvet suits, wide-brimmed hats and pearls worn with swagger – Dandyism offered a way for Black creatives to express individuality and reclaim self-worth in a society constantly trying to strip it away. Several stars on the Met carpet paid homage to this era, highlighting another take on the theme, outside of modern tailored menswear. Celebs like Megan Thee Stallion rocked Josephine Baker’s iconic ponytail and jewelled makeup, while Dua Lipa and FKA Twigs brought flapper glam back in full force.  There were also multiple stars sporting Zoot suits. These looks showcased how the once-controversial uniform of resistance from the 1940s has now made a major comeback, proving that style from the past still hits today.

Met Gala 2025 – A Modern-Day Dandy’s Dream

Fast forward to the 2025 Met Gala, the theme “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” brought dandyism back into the spotlight. This year’s co-chairs were some of today’s biggest fashion icons, like ASAP Rocky, Coleman Domingo, Lewis Hamilton, and Pharrell Williams. The event drew direct inspiration from Monica L. Miller’s Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity and Zora Neale Hurston’s Characteristics of Negro Expression. These texts informed everything from the garments to the staging: designers leaned into the layered symbolism Miller explores, using high tailoring, vibrant colour palettes, and historically Black textiles to highlight the diasporic remixing of European fashion. Hurston’s ideas about rhythm, asymmetry, and drama shaped the spatial experience of the exhibit, which featured kinetic installations, spoken word performances, and immersive soundscapes that pulsed with life. One standout moment was Telfar’s contribution: a sharply tailored three-piece suit made from Kente cloth and denim, paired with oversized jewelry and a silk durag—merging African heritage, hip-hop aesthetics, and classic dandy refinement. The accompanying exhibit at The Met unpacked how Black dandyism has historically blended rebellion, beauty, and identity politics into a wearable art form, while honouring the creativity, intellect, and cultural pride at its core.

The dress code, aptly named “Tailored for You,” encouraged attendees to showcase their individuality through menswear, immaculate tailoring and creative flair. The result? A red carpet filled with bespoke suits, vibrant colours and accessories that paid homage to the dandy tradition, while pushing it into the future.

Carpet Highlights

Maluma

came through with a midnight blue and emerald green brocade zoot suit by Mexican-American designer Willy Chavarria. His look was a nod to the rebellious Pachuco counterculture of the 1930s, blending Colombian pride with Chicano heritage in a look that ate and left no crumbs.

Teyana Taylor

brought Harlem to the Met…literally. Working with the legendary costume designer Ruth E. Carter, Taylor stunned in a custom burgundy pinstripe zoot suit with a velvet waistcoat, silver drop chains, and a dramatic cape embroidered with “Harlem rose,” referencing her song “Rose in Harlem” and her roots in the New York borough. Accessories? A red feathered fedora, red gloves, a cane and a whole lot of attitude. In her words: “When the Met is Teyana Taylor-ed to you, it’s the moment we were waiting on”.

Janelle Monáe

gave us dandy meets surrealism in a Thom Browne custom look featuring a trompe l’oeil overcoat and tuxedo-style dress, complete with a bowler hat and monocle. Their look paid tribute to the 1930s menswear of … and the gender-fluid nature of the dandy aesthetic, effortlessly blending tradition with contemporary cool.

Why Dandyism Still Matters

Dandyism isn’t just a fashion aesthetic—it’s a radical act. It acknowledges the legacy of African American culture and its ongoing influence on global style. At its core, dandyism is about subverting expectations, celebrating identity and using fashion as a vehicle for storytelling and pride. As Monica L. Miller writes, Black dandyism “asks questions about identity, representation and mobility in relation to race, class, gender, sexuality and power”. In today’s culture, where conversations about visibility, inclusion and reclaiming space matter more than ever, this year’s theme hit different.

Final Thoughts – Long Live the Dandy

The 2025 Met Gala wasn’t just a fashion event but a cultural statement. From the salons of Harlem to the carpeted stairs of the Met, dandyism continues to inspire boldness, individuality and unapologetic self-expression. The legacy lives on in every fitted blazer, every power suit, every well-timed accessory and every defiant strut.

So the next time you throw on a blazer to zhuzh up your fit, channel your inner dandy. Own the moment. Serve a look. And remember, style is power.

PS: Want to relive the night’s best looks? Check out our other Met Gala articles by clicking here, or hit us up on Instagram @funktasyofficial and tell us who you think served the most dandy drama!