You might assume that sneakers have no place at as esteemed an event as the Met Gala. Yet, year after year, celebs have boldly and successfully brought athletic footwear to this luxury fashion promenade. In fact, the prestigious event, otherwise referred to as the ‘fashion Oscars’ has played host to many spotlight-stealing moments, where sartorial elegance has embraced the comfort of sneakers. We’ve seen everything from the bold collaborations of Virgil Abloh’s Off-White to the sophisticated creativity of high-end Valentino designs take over the annual fundraising gala. They’ve no doubt proven to us that, with the right style vision, your favourite kicks can hold their own against any pair of sparkly heels or dapper loafers. So, with excitement still high from the 2024 Costume Institute Benefit, we thought we’d reminisce and celebrate some of the best Met Gala sneakers worn throughout the years.
Victor Cruz: Public School x The Generic Man
Rolling back the clocks to the grand Met Gala of 2014, where the theme was “White Tie and Decorations,” former American football great Victor Cruz made headlines wearing a fabulous pair of Public School x The Generic Man sneakers. In an unexpected move, the illustrious NFL star went against the grain and chose to pair his sophisticated tuxedo with glossy black patent leather kicks that feature bold white soles. His daring fashion choice was not in vain as it secured him a respectable spot on numerous best-dressed lists that year, hence putting a stamp on the fact that sneakers can, in fact, add an intriguing twist to the formality of an event like the Met Gala.
What we like about it: The sneakers’ patent leather construction lends them a formal look, so they blend pretty seamlessly with Cruz’s black tuxedo.
Release date: 2014
Where to buy it: Unfortunately, finding the exact pair of shoes, especially after almost a decade has passed, might be a challenging feat. However, you can search for a similar black patent leather pair on Amazon.
Virgil Abloh: Jordan
We’ve seen Virgil Abloh, the visionary designer with a streetwear inclination, making bold sneaker choices at the Met Gala again and again. For instance, in 2017, he took full advantage of the spotlight of the event to debut the beloved Off-White Jordan 1 “Chicago”, featuring a set of bright green shoelaces. Yet, for us, his Off-White X “UNC” AJ1 ensemble from 2018 truly steals the show. The striking blue and white sneakers, paired with a white Louis Vuitton atelier suit and various items covered in religious embroidery, were just the right pick for the “Sunday Best” dress theme of the event.
What we like about it: The “UNC” AJ1 colourway has its own special place in the Jordan lineup, but there’s no doubt that Virgil’s unique spin on the pair has reached cult status among sneaker fans. His talent for harmoniously merging streetwear with luxury fashion was evident when he sported these kicks with the white formal suit in 2018.
Release date: 2018
Where to buy it: You can snap up these North Carolina-inspired sneakers from sources like eBay, FlightClub, GOAT, or StockX. But expect prices to start at $946 and shoot up to a staggering $5307 USD.
Serena Williams: Nike
In 2019, the iconic tennis star and fashion obsessive Serena Williams took the Met Gala red carpet by storm in her highlighter green Nike x Off-White Air Force 1 Low sneakers. The radiant kicks impeccably complemented her glamorous, off-the-shoulder Atelier Versace dress, leaving us eternally grateful to the doyenne of fashion, Anna Wintour, for advising Serena to pair her gown with sneakers the year she served as co-chair for the camp theme.
What we like about it: Anything from the Nike and Off-White collections is incredibly sought-after. Serena’s bold choice of twinning these sneakers with her swanky gown will go down as a memorable fashion moment. But while the shoes’ colour perfectly matches her dress, it also takes us back to the image of a tennis ball, making them a perfect choice for the queen of the tennis court.
Release date: 2018
Where to buy it: If you wish to replicate this look, you can find the “Volt” sneakers on online platforms like GOAT, Sotheby’s, and StockX. Some pairs are even available for as low as $462.
Alessia Cara: Nike
The 2019 Met Gala “Camp” theme gave guests an open invitation to be daring with their fashion choices, and singer-songwriter Alessia Cara certainly answered the call with her shoe selection. Teaming her monochrome tulle dress from the esteemed Giambattista Valli with mismatched black and white Comme Des Garcons x Nike Cortez Platforms brought both a sense of fun and intrigue to the young artist’s outfit. While she added other subtleties of elegance, such as a Tyler Ellis clutch and Harry Kotlar earrings, her adventurous sneaker choice undoubtedly made this look absolutely unforgettable.
What we like about it: Alessia’s decision to wear two different coloured sneakers brought a unique touch to the otherwise conventional red carpet look. It also left us secretly pining for Nike to sell this sneaker as a mixed set. This unique choice married perfectly with the Met Gala’s “Camp” theme and added an extra touch of unpredictable style to her ensemble.
Release date: 2018
Where to buy it: If you’re feeling inspired by Alessia’s look, you can find similar black or white versions of the Comme Des Garcons x Nike Cortez Platforms on eBay or GOAT. Prices typically range between $225 and $800 USD.
Timothee Chalamet: Converse
The 2021 Met Gala’s “American Independence” theme became a runway for some iconic sneaker looks. A particular standout of the event was the ever-adventurous fashion virtuoso himself, Timothee Chalamet. The Dune star made his statement with a slick white blazer from Haider Ackermann, Rick Owens sweatpants, and the quintessential white Converse Chuck Taylor high-tops. Needless to say, his clever spin on this vintage classic caused quite a stir on the internet that year.
What we like about it: Converse sneakers have been a wardrobe staple for many, many generations. They have co-starred in our fashion stories, teaming up with everything, from denim to day dresses. So, seeing them have their moment on the red carpet was priceless.
Where to buy it: If you have room for another pair of classics in your wardrobe, make sure to add Converse Chuck Taylor hi-tops by purchasing them from ssense.com or browse similar styles on the official Converse website starting from a steal price of $65 USD
Kid Cudi: Louis Vuitton
At ‘Fashion’s Biggest Night Out’ in 2021, the multi-talented artist Kid Cudi turned heads with a Dennis Rodman-inspired look complete with vibrant green hair and striking dark eye makeup. Cudi was draped entirely in Louis Vuitton with a vivid blue sweater, a floor-length shiny vinyl skirt, and a $1 million USD Ben Baller x KAWS chain to top it all off. His outfit was undoubtedly a show-stealer, and the Louis Vuitton tie-dye leather sneakers on his feet were the perfect punctuation mark to his extravagant ensemble.
What we like about it: The sneakers are mesmerising with their green and blue gradient that finishes with a bold pink at the heel. These kicks are definitely designed for those who don’t shy away from making remarkable fashion statements!
Release date: 2022
Where to buy it: A limited number of these “Green Ombre” sneakers are up for grabs in varying sizes on GOAT and StockX. But be ready to shell out a minimum of $1,596 USD for a pair, though!
Ella Emhoff: Adidas
Turning heads at the 2021 Met Gala was model Ella Emhoff, delivering an unexpected and extremely stylish pairing of baggy trousers and sneakers. Emhoff chose to make her Met Gala debut decked out entirely in Adidas by Stella McCartney. The ensemble consisted of a bright red diamond mesh bodysuit, oversized trousers to match, and the statement-making adidas by Stella McCartney Earthlight sneakers, boasting extra red diamonds and netted fabric. While it might not have been the usual Met Gala attire, Emhoff’s outfit was a resounding demonstration of style meeting comfort.
What we like about it: We’re always game for a bold red shoe, but the additional upgrade with the dazzling red diamonds and netted fabric really propelled Emhoff’s look into a different league.
Where to get it: If Emhoff’s daring Met Gala debut has you swooning, you’ll be thrilled to know that Stella McCartney Earthlight sneakers are up for grabs on the official Adidas website. While you can’t bag this assertively red pair, they are available in the more typical black and white colourways and priced at $180 USD.
Justin Bieber: Nike
Trust none other than the Biebs to make a bold footwear choice at the pinnacle of all fashion events. In 2021, the renowned pop artist sported a pair of Nike Air Force 1s distinctively hand-customised with adorable doodles like a teddy bear and a Drew sticker at the heel. Bieber further paid homage to his brand, which he playfully called “Le Maison Drew“, wearing a tuxedo-style jacket, modern parachute-style trousers, and a bag embellished with the trademark smiley face of his label. Although this isn’t an official partnership with Nike, we believe his self-branded, customised kicks resonated perfectly with the theme. After all, what could be more American than a custom pair of Nike Air Force 1s?
What we like about it: Wearing a pair of custom sneakers with hand-drawn doodles seems like the furthest thing from high fashion, but the idea worked well for the theme. I’m sure the kicks would be flying off the shelves if these were an actual collab with Nike.
Where to buy it: If you’re keen on emulating Bieber’s style, you can grab your own pair of classic white AF1s at Nike.com and get creative with your own customisation.
Sebastian Stan: Valentino
No one could have missed Sebastian Stan at the 2022 Met Gala, effortlessly turning heads with his bold, neon pink outfit. Though his choice of attire might not have directly spoken to the ‘gilded glamour’ dress theme, he certainly had us swooning with his impeccably matched Valentino ensemble – from the hot pink long-sleeved shirt to the coordinating trousers and daringly bright overcoat. However, for us at least, the real spectacle of all was his eye-catching pink Valentino kicks, perfectly completed with matching laces.
What we like about it: Tonal kicks always look extra stylish, and this hot pink pair certainly gives us straight-up Barbie vibes. This bold style will surely add a touch of fun to any outfit you match them with.
Release date: 2022
Where to buy it: You can buy a pair of the Valentino Garavani ONE STUD XL Low-Top Sneaker in pink nappa leather from the official Valentino website. But if you’re hoping for a bargain, try your luck on eBay.
Jaden Smith: New Balance
At the 2024 Met Gala, Jaden Smith put his best foot forward, rocking the latest black and white variant of his New Balance x MSFTSrep collaboration. Smith first unveiled these kicks in a subtle grey shade at the 2023 Coachella, where he wowed the crowd as an unexpected guest act. Yet, there’s no denying that this Panda colour iteration, launched in April 2024, really tops the cake. For the grand occasion, Smith paired his sneakers with a custom ensemble from Thom Browne, encompassing a pristine white coat and a swish black skirt. The look earned him a spot amongst the evening’s most fashionably dressed gents, and we’re sure it wasn’t just the shoes that stole the show!
What we like about it: The sneaker has an understated but always stylish colour combo, and unique details (like a split midsole and outsole cutout using proportions inspired by the Fibonacci Sequence) give it a modern and edgy look. Clearly, as demonstrated by Jaden, these sneakers can be superbly paired with even the most couture outfits. It’s certainly a collab you shouldn’t overlook.
Release date: 2024
Where to buy it: Currently, these sneakers are up for grabs on New Balance’s official website and are priced at $109.99 USD.
Which of these Met Gala sneakers would you choose to rock on the red carpet? Let us know your thoughts about these kicks in the comments below!
