Met Gala: "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style"and Blue Carpet Looks

In the world of fashion, style has always been more than just clothing—it's a language, a form of resistance, and a declaration of identity. One of the most enduring and powerful examples of this is Black Dandyism, a cultural and aesthetic movement that has used fashion as a tool of self-expression, rebellion, and empowerment for centuries.

What Is Black Dandyism?

At its core, Black Dandyism is about reclaiming elegance. Emerging during colonial and post-colonial periods, particularly in Europe and the Americas, it saw Black men (and later women) adopting and elevating traditionally European styles of dress—tailored suits, fine fabrics, polished shoes—not to assimilate, but to subvert. A “dandy” was someone who dressed with extreme elegance, often flamboyantly, and in the case of Black Dandies, this choice carried profound political meaning.

Wearing sharp suits and bold prints became a visual way to challenge racial stereotypes that portrayed Black individuals as inferior or uncultured. Dandyism allowed for self-determination and visibility in a world that often denied Black people both.

The Historical Roots

Black Dandyism finds its roots in the 18th and 19th centuries. One of the most famous early figures is Jules Lion, a free man of color in New Orleans who dressed impeccably and defied societal expectations. In places like the American South, the Caribbean, and postcolonial Africa, Black individuals began using European clothing to assert their sophistication and humanity in deeply racist societies.

In the 20th century, this continued with the rise of jazz musicians, Harlem Renaissance artists, and Caribbean immigrants in Britain (like the Windrush generation) who embraced refined, tailored clothing as part of their identity. Zoot suits, wide-brimmed hats, and high-waisted trousers became part of a broader stylistic rebellion.

Fashion as Rebellion

For Black Dandies, fashion is both armor and artistry. Their elegant clothing often juxtaposed their lived experiences of marginalization, turning style into a form of protest. This ethos continues today in movements like the Sapeurs (Société des Ambianceurs et des Personnes Élégantes) in the Congo, who don colorful designer suits to assert joy and dignity in post-colonial Africa.

Cultural Impact Today

The legacy of Black Dandyism is alive and well in modern fashion and pop culture. Artists like Janelle Monáe, Pharrell Williams, Billy Porter, and Tyler, the Creator have embraced and redefined the dandy aesthetic, blurring gender lines and challenging norms with tailored silhouettes, monochromatic palettes, and unexpected pops of color.

Style platforms like Dandy Lion, an exhibit curated by Shantrelle P. Lewis, celebrate contemporary Black dandies around the world and examine how their fashion disrupts mainstream narratives of Black masculinity and culture.

Even streetwear and luxury fashion today echo Black Dandyism’s roots—mixing high fashion with personal flair, history with rebellion. The rise of afro-futurism, gender-fluid style, and global Black luxury are all part of its evolving legacy.

Who Executed the Met Gala Theme?

Teyana Taylor

Teyana Taylor wearing Oscar winning costume designer, Ruth E. Carter to design her historically accurate zoot-suit.

Tessa Thompson

Tessa Thompson paid homage to André Leon Talley's upbringing in North Carolina with a church fan with Talley's face. Her ivory modeled tuxedo gown is designed by Atelier Prabal Gurung.

Keith Powers

Keith Powers at his first met gala in HUGO BOSS, who is highly- regarded for their neat and crisp tailoring.

Imaan Hamman

Imaan Hamman is wearing Madga Butrym in a perfectly tailored suit with a cane and bedazzled Tabis.

Laura Harrier

Laura Harrier in Zac Posen, GAP's new creative director. Harrier found inspiration in her own family history to create a look inspired by the merge of masculinity and femininity.

Justin Jefferson

Justin Jefferson wearing Thom Browne

Nicki Minaj

Nicki Minaj wearing a tailored pinstripe suit by Thom Browne

In Conclusion- Why It Matters

Black Dandyism is more than a style—it’s a cultural statement. It tells a story of resistance, creativity, and pride. In a world where appearance can dictate perception, Black Dandies flip the script and use fashion to redefine themselves on their own terms.

Whether through a perfectly cut blazer, a silk cravat, or a boldly colored sock, the message remains the same: we are here, we are proud, and we are stylishly unapologetic.

Who made you best-dressed list for the MET gala 2025? Tag us at @therynapp on Instagram and TikTok!