What Are the Rules to Attend the Met Gala?
The Met Gala isn’t just a glamorous fashion event it’s one of the most exclusive nights in the world. Hosted annually at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, this benefit for the Costume Institute is an invite-only affair governed by strict rules and tightly curated guest lists.
1. You Must Be Invited by Anna Wintour Herself
Only a select few make the cut each year, and every invitation must be approved—if not directly extended—by Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour. Celebrities, designers, artists, and cultural figures are chosen based on relevance, influence, and how well they fit the year’s theme.
2. Tickets Cost Tens of Thousands
Even if you're invited, attendance isn’t free. Individual tickets reportedly cost around $75,000 as of 2025, and entire tables can run into the millions. Brands often buy tables and invite celebrities to represent them.
3. Dress Code is Non-Negotiable
Each year’s Gala comes with a theme tied to the Costume Institute’s exhibition. Attendees are expected to dress accordingly, with over-the-top, high-concept looks strongly encouraged. Not following the theme risks being left off next year’s list.
4. No Phones, No Social Media
Despite occasional rule-breakers, phones and social media are officially banned inside the event. This rule is meant to preserve the exclusivity and mystique of the Met Gala. What happens inside, stays inside.
5. You Can’t Just Tag Along
Guests can’t bring dates or plus-ones unless they’ve also been personally approved. That means even partners of A-listers may be left out if they don’t meet Wintour’s standards.
Photo: @metgalaofficial_
Simone Biles at the met gala 2025
6. Don’t Expect to Eat Much
The menu tends to be light and plant-based, with emphasis on presentation over portion size. It’s more about the fashion than the food.
Related: Met Gala 2025: Photos from Fashion’s Boldest Night
7. Behavior is Everything
The Met Gala is about glamor, not gossip. Past attendees who’ve caused drama or broken the rules have reportedly been blacklisted from future events.
Photo: @metgalaofficial_
Colman Domingo and Lewis Hamilton, at the Met Gala 2025
Final Thoughts
The Met Gala isn’t just a party—it’s a carefully curated spectacle of fashion, celebrity, and art. With Anna Wintour at the helm, even billionaires can be turned away. If you’re not famous, fabulously influential, or a cultural icon, attending may remain a fashion fantasy.
