Modest Fashion Inspo from the 2025 Met Gala

Vogue Arabia

06-05-2025

Whether you were there IRL or scrolling through the live coverage on Instagram as each celebrity made their grand entrance at the 2025 Met Gala, there's no denying that last night's event was a spectacular sartorial display. Here are our top trends from the evening that merged chic with conservative, in looks that were head-turning for all the right reasons.
Follow Suit
Photo: Theo Wargo/FilmMagic Photo:If there's one Met Gala style trend that we're seeking to incorporate into our own wardrobes, pronto, it's the fabulous suiting that was spotted on stars from Zendaya to Lupita Nyong'o. Zendaya wore an all-white Louis Vuitton Zoot Suit with a matching tie and wide-brimmed hat, serving elegance, confidence and an understanding of the evening's dress code. Madonna wore a cream-coloured Tom Ford suit, and Imaan Hammam dressed in a white suit-inspired jumpsuit by Magda Butrym, contrasting the look with a black shirt and monochrome necktie underneath – plus a cane, for good measure. In a dreamy shade of teal, Nyong'o's Chanel suit meanwhile, was fitted with a chiffon cape and the label's quintessential camellia flower. Between the striking androgyny and whimsical femininity, there were suits for every aesthetic and personality.
It's in the Basics
Photo: Michael Loccisano/GA/Getty Images
Bravo, Anne Hathaway. The American actress proved that when there's a glamorous, high-stakes event in your calendar, there's no need to sweat it with over-the-top outfit plans. A basic white blouse can be the perfect starting point – when styled supremely, that is. Hathaway wore Carolina Herrera to the Met Gala: a white blouse tucked into a crystal-beaded column skirt, finishing off the look with a Bvlgari necklace featuring diamonds and sapphires. Her skin-covering style will resonate with modest dressers, who can recreate the look with linen skirts for the day, or more structured fabrics for the evening.
Drop that Waist
Photo:Photo:Empire waists may have gained popularity thanks to popular television series, Bridgerton, but if Lana Del Rey's Met Gala look is anything to go by, drama and decadence can climax just as beautifully when the waistline is dropped a few inches lower. Demure yet statement-making, her Valentino haute couture gown paired a long-sleeved black velvet bodice with a full, brown satin skirt. A back lace panel and bold feather details at the shoulder completed the glorious look. Enthusiasts of modest fashion can easily emulate the style this season, with cotton summer dresses in pastel shades or colour-blocked designs.
Silver Streak
Photo: John Shearer/WireImage
Structured, statuesque and positively shimmering, Pamela Anderson wore a custom-made Tory Burch gown crafted from blue silk mesh and fully embroidered with sequins and crystals. The design was fitted with an exaggerated hip and handmade corset, which, combined with the metallic sheen, is sure to inspire Arab women the world over, who often seek high-octane, figure-flattering dresses. With long sleeves and a long hemline, this style covers the skin while embodying glamour, proving that modesty need not be mundane.
Head over Heels
Photo: John Shearer/WireImage
No matter what your outfit may be neck-down, a beaded headpiece is sure to upgrade your look. At last month's Abu Dhabi Modest Fashion Week, one front row guest wore a chainmail head piece over a silver hijab. Vogue India's recently-dropped May/June cover starring Sonam Kapoor features a close-up of the actress, her face framed by a chunky tribal silver headpiece rooted in the Afghan Hazara culture. And, at the 2025 Met Gala, singer and songwriter Alicia Keys donned a beaded red headpiece designed by Moncler, to match her red pinstriped suit.
Whether you gravitate towards chic and simple silhouettes a la Anne Hathaway, or have a taste for theatrics when it comes to accessories like Alicia Keys, the Met Gala provided ample style inspiration, covering style preferences of all sorts – modesty included.