The Met Gala is one of the few red carpets where male celebrities are expected to do more than simply turn up in a standard black suit — and, thankfully, several stars took that challenge seriously in 2026.
While many major awards shows still see men relying on safe tuxedos and predictable tailoring, fashion’s biggest night has long offered space for more daring looks. From Billy Porter’s gold wings to Marc Jacobs in lace and Jared Leto carrying a replica of his own head, the Met Gala has often rewarded men willing to take risks.
This year was no different, with several male celebrities stepping outside their comfort zones and bringing drama, skin, references and personality to the carpet. The 2026 Met Gala theme was “Costume Art”, giving attendees plenty of room to interpret fashion as performance.
Connor Storrie quickly became one of the most talked-about men of the night after removing his jacket and showing off his arms on the red carpet. His look leaned into confidence and physicality, proving that a well-timed reveal can sometimes do more than an overworked ensemble.
His Heated Rivalry co-star Hudson Williams also embraced a bold approach, using the carpet to show off his physique with a look that highlighted his abs rather than hiding behind traditional menswear.
Troye Sivan took a more casual but still attention-grabbing route, wearing jeans to the Met Gala. It was a move that could have looked underdressed in the wrong hands, but instead made him stand out in a sea of more expected formalwear.
Luke Evans delivered one of the night’s clearest queer references, paying tribute to Tom of Finland with a leather-inspired look that understood the assignment and brought LGBTQ+ visual culture directly to the carpet.
Colman Domingo, already known as one of Hollywood’s strongest fashion figures, once again showed why he is trusted to bring something memorable. His look continued his reputation for embracing style with confidence rather than treating menswear as an afterthought.
Patrick Schwarzenegger also stepped away from the standard tuxedo, pairing a corset with a stylish leather jacket for a sharper, more fashion-forward silhouette.
Jon Batiste challenged the usual black suit formula with an all-white look that made a strong impact, while celebrity stylist Law Roach proved he does not need a famous client beside him to command attention.
Together, these looks showed what men’s red carpet fashion can be when celebrities are willing to take the Met Gala seriously. The black suit may still dominate many events, but at the 2026 Met Gala, the most interesting men were the ones who left it behind.
