See the Best Dressed Stars to Ever Grace the Met Gala

Prepare to be wowed by Rihanna, Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez and more of the best dressed stars to ever grace the Met Gala.

There are red carpets and then there are Met Gala red carpets. 

The countdown is officially on for the return of New York City's most glamorous, fashionable night out. And while this year's celebration will be a much more intimate affair with masks and safety guidelines, one thing is certain: Hollywood's biggest stars are going to dress to impress.

Need proof? Just look at decades upon decades of past Met Gala red carpets where athletes, politicians, musicians, actors and more public figures helped celebrate a new exhibit from the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute. 

This year, lucky guests including co-chairs Timothée Chalamet, Billie Eilish, poet Amanda Gorman and tennis star Naomi Osaka will focus on the theme, "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion." In simpler terms, get ready to celebrate all things American fashion. 

As excitement continues to grow for the annual event, we decided to take a trip down memory lane and compile the many familiar faces who have shown their support. And yes, we tried our best to pick the most fabulous, creative and down-right unforgettable looks from the past several decades. 

From Lady Gaga and Rihanna to Princess Diana and Joan Rivers, it's time to applaud the attendees who wowed us with their looks.

As for who will impress us later this year? We can't wait to find out. Until then, let's celebrate the best dressed stars to ever grace the Met Gala below. 

Cher, 1974

Romantic and Glamorous Hollywood Design

Kate Moss, 1995

Haute Couture

Naomi Campbell, 1995

Haute Couture

Princess Diana, 1996

Christian Dior

Elizabeth Hurley, 1997

Gianni Versace

Whitney Houston, 1999

Rock Style

Jennifer Love Hewitt, 1999

Rock Style

Demi Moore, 2000

No theme

Jessica Simpson, 2001

Jacqueline Kennedy: The White House Years

David Bowie & Iman, 2003

Goddess: The Classical Mode

Victoria Beckham & Naomi Campbell, 2003

Goddess: The Classical Mode

Gisele Bundchen, 2003

Goddess: The Classical Mode

Molly Sims, 2003

Goddess: The Classical Mode

Kate Hudson, 2003

Goddess: The Classical Mode

Nicole Kidman, 2003

Goddess: The Classical Mode

Scarlett Johansson, 2004

Dangerous Liaisons: Fashion and Furniture in the 18th Century

Jennifer Lopez, 2004

Dangerous Liaisons: Fashion and Furniture in the 18th Century

Hilary Swank, 2004

Dangerous Liaisons: Fashion and Furniture in the 18th Century

Diane Kruger, 2004

Dangerous Liaisons: Fashion and Furniture in the 18th Century

Karolina Kurkova, 2005

House of Chanel

Lil' Kim, 2005

House of Chanel

Elle Macpherson, 2005

House of Chanel

Natasha Richardson & Liam Neeson, 2005

House of Chanel

Sarah Jessica Parker, 2006

AngloMania: Tradition and Transgression in British Fashion

Charlize Theron & John Galliano, 2006

AngloMania: Tradition and Transgression in British Fashion

Drew Barrymore, 2006

AngloMania: Tradition and Transgression in British Fashion

Thandie Newton, 2006

AngloMania: Tradition and Transgression in British Fashion

Victoria Beckham, 2006

AngloMania: Tradition and Transgression in British Fashion

Jessica Simpson, 2007

Poiret: King of Fashion

Jennifer Garner, 2007

Poiret: King of Fashion

Originally published May 4, 2020 at 3 a.m. PST

Don't miss E!'s Live From E!: 2024 Met Gala red carpet Monday, May 6, starting at 6 p.m. for every must-see moment from fashion's biggest night. And tune in to E! News Tuesday, May 7, at 11 p.m. for a full recap of every jaw-dropping look and all the behind-the-scenes moments.