Over the years, the tendency for stars to leave their clutches and mini bags behind (or at least, leave them with their assistants) in favor of going bagless on the Met steps has increased tenfold. Gone were the days of scrolling through endless Gala fits to find the best bags.
For a long time, it was scrolling through the Met Gala madness with eagle-eyed focus to spot the rare star with a clutch or bag in hand. In true Gossip Girl fashion this year, bags were back on the Met steps, and we’re here to unpack the best.
As scheduled, the 2025 Met Gala took place yesterday, on the first Monday in May. The star-studded event, which celebrates the Met’s new spring Costume Institute exhibition, Superfine: Tailoring Black Style, was one of the best fashion carpets we’ve seen in recent years. Attendees truly embraced the theme and channeled their inner dandy. Let’s take a look!
Bad Bunny in Prada
We’re starting it off strong with Bad Bunny, who proved that this would be an excellent year for bags on the carpet and that the iconic Prada Bowling bag is indeed back (don’t say we didn’t call it). The talented singer wore a custom Prada look, complete with Prada accessories like canvas boots, embellished leather gloves, and of course, a Prada Bowling bag from Fall 2025.
Patrick Schwarzenegger in Balmain
The White Lotus star posed with his co-star Aimee Lou Wood on the Met’s floral carpet. The actor, who played Saxon in the last season of HBO’s fan-favorite dramedy, wore Balmain by Olivier Rousteing complete with a clutch from the brand’s Fall 2025 show.
Doechii in Louis Vuitton
Doechii made her Met Gala debut yesterday in a custom-tailored Louis Vuitton look combining two iconic motifs from the Maison— classic Monogram and Damier Azur. Her minuscule, Anxiety-inducing, hand-embroidered Damier Azur Speedy P9 Bandoulière 10 made the perfect (albeit impractical) accessory.
Lisa in Louis Vuitton
Joining her The White Lotus co-stars on the carpet, Lisa, who was also making her Met Gala debut, opted for Louis Vuitton. Her look is complete by its exquisite details, including Monogram tights and a bespoke jacket crafted from black lace featuring renderings of artwork by the artist Henry Taylor. She carried a Speedy P9 Bandoulière 20.
Lauryn Hill
The iconic Lauryn Hill turned heads as she made a dramatic entrance on her very first Met Gala carpet. She opted for a Stella McCartney suit in a very on-trend butter yellow. The icing on the cake? Her Hermès Kelly bag in Bleu Izmir.
Whitney Peak in Chanel
Chanel Ambassador and actress Whitney Peak wore a custom Chanel tweed outfit complete with accessories from the House, including a Chanel belt, shoes, and matching tweed hat. Of course, the bag she was clutching was also Chanel. Peak’s look took over 380 hours to make.
Malcolm Washington in Louis Vuitton
Malcolm Washington, who produced the 2024 film The Piano Lesson (he also happens to be Denzel Washington’s son, wore a full Louis Vuitton look, including an insane custom smoking jacket with satin lapels and pearl buttons. He accessorized with pieces from Louis Vuitton’s High Jewelry Spirit collection, and of course, who could miss his Louis Vuitton P9 Speedy.
Clairo in Valentino
American singer-songwriter and Valentino brand ambassador Clairo wore Valentino by Alessandro Michele. The look was created exclusively for her by Michele and was finished with Valentino accessories, including a playful cat clutch.
Bad bunny looks ridiculous with that huge bag
yes it takes “ludicrously capacious bag” to a new level
A little confused how Stella McCartney who is anti-leather approved this look with that handbag.
I don’t love the bags with the outfits
They all look like they’re going to the fashion week. Way too much branding. The bags make the looks even worse.
Kinda mixed feeling with Lisa, Love her jacket but not sure with the hair, or the bag, or her tights.
She is missing the matching skirt.
A small luxe evening bag would have been better with this stunning jacket.
Whitney looks beautiful. I like Lisa’s outfit, but the bag should have been left at home. It looks too casual.
I love the Chanel look! It’s elegant!