Dozens of couples glided up the steps of the 2025 Met Gala to show off their interpretations of the vintage-forward theme. Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds, two of the most enthusiastic interpreters of each year's dress codes, weren't among them.
By the time the red carpet heading into the "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style" event had welcomed its last stars—Cardi B and Kendall Jenner among them—there was no sign of Blake Lively. (Her close friend Taylor Swift also left her 2025 Met Gala suit on the hanger.) "Tailored for You," the evening's dress code honoring the style legacy of the Black dandy, would have been a natural progression from the two-piece sets and cane Lively had worn onscreen during her turn as the scheming Emily Nelson in A Simple Favor. However, as TMZ reported in March the star planned to skip months in advance of the big night.
Blake Lively's most recent Met Gala look, in 2022.
Lively's absence from the 2025 Met Gala isn't as surprising as it seems. She and Reynolds haven't actually attended since 2022, when they co-chaired the "In America: An Anthology of Fashion" installment. The duo met the "Gilded Glamour" dress code with a look that went down in Met Gala history—at least on Blake's part. She worked directly with Versace to craft a strapless dress honoring the Statue of Liberty: It first appeared in a bright, metallic bronze resembling the original statue, before it unfurled to reveal a second layer streaked with the turquoise defining today's monument.
Blake Lively's Met Gala journey began the same year as Taylor Swift's: 2008, for the "Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy" red carpet. Her interpretation of the theme didn't involve a cape or a mask: just a Ralph Lauren strapless gown paired to dainty black lace gloves. That was the first of ten total Met Gala appearances for the former Gossip Girl lead, ranging from a one-shoulder, blue Versace gown for "The Model as Muse" in 2009 to strapless black and silver Gucci dress for "PUNK: Chaos to Couture" in 2013.
Lively attended her first Met Gala in 2008.
At press time, Lively hasn't commented on her absence from the 2025 Met Gala guest list. She's still kept fans of her eclectic style fed in recent weeks, with novelty Chanel bags and latex dresses while promoting Another Simple Favor, however.
To see the stars who did make it to the 2025 Met Gala, keep up with Marie Claire's live coverage of fashion's biggest night.
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Kaia Gerber Didn’t Walk the Met Gala Red Carpet—She Launched a Mango Collab InsteadShe's a busy woman!
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Cardi B Matches Her Color Contacts to Her Met Gala SuitI applaud this level of dedication.
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Tyla Borrows Her Boyfriend's Shirt in a Pinstripe Jacquemus Gown to the 2025 Met GalaHer look is "Tailored For You" to a T.
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Kaia Gerber Didn’t Walk the Met Gala Red Carpet—She Launched a Mango Collab Instead
She's a busy woman!
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Cardi B Matches Her Eye Color to Her Emerald Green Tapestry Suit at the 2025 Met Gala
I applaud this level of dedication.
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Tyla Reimagines the Pinstripe Shirt as a Sultry Jacquemus Gown at the Met Gala 2025
Her look is "Tailored For You" to a T.
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Kylie Jenner's 2025 Met Gala Red Carpet Sheer Bustier Dress Goes Full BurlesqueKylie has officially arrived.
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Demi Moore Dressed as a Literal Necktie for the 2025 Met Gala Red CarpetNot everyone could make this look work, but she does.
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Kendall Jenner Made Corporate-Core Red Carpet-Worthy at the 2025 Met GalaShe's putting in the work.
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Doja Cat's 2025 Met Gala Look Continues Her Leopard Print Kick With a Spotted Cone BraClassic Doja, by way of Marc Jacobs.
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Hailey Bieber Goes Nearly Pantless at the 2025 Met Gala in a Saint Laurent Mini Blazer DressHer accessory of choice? An extra-dry dirty martini.
