Sydney Sweeney‘s appearance at the Met Gala 2025 marked her fourth year, with her photos circulating online and her dress being the talk of the town. On Monday, the actor graced the Metropolitan Museum of Art in a striking Miu Miu dress. While she turned heads in her ensemble, it became a topic of debate among fashion enthusiasts and social media users.
Fans react to Sydney Sweeney’s Met Gala 2025 dress: ‘Not on theme’
Sydney Sweeney for the #MetGala pic.twitter.com/ESnuky4E05
— Sydney Sweeney Daily (@sweeneydailyx) May 5, 2025
Sydney Sweeney’s arrival at the Met Gala 2025 turned all eyes on her and her Miu Miu dress, but netizens had mixed opinions after her photos surfaced online. In her shimmering and sculpted black gown, Sweeney sparked a stir about creativity and the art of sticking to the theme.
The theme for the Met Gala 2025 was “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” celebrating centuries of Black sartorial innovation. Andrew Bolton curated the dress code, “Tailored for You,” which was inspired by Monica L. Miller’s “Slaves to Fashion.” It urged attendees to honor the history of Black dandyism from the 18th century to the bold tailoring of contemporary trailblazers.
However, critics argued that Sweeney’s look resonated with a cinematic lineage. The beaded black Miu Miu dress had a dramatic keyhole neckline and a sparkling fringe. She completed her look with De Beers diamonds and a sculptural gold rosette around her neck. It was a tribute to Kim Novak, the screen legend, whom she will portray in Colman Domingo’s “Scandalous!”
PEOPLE reported Sweeney’s statement to Vogue on the red carpet: “This is actually paying homage to Kim Novak, and I’m doing a movie with Colman Domingo … so we wanted to really just bring that to life.” The actor also shared a nostalgic Novak reference photo before the event.
Despite its bold reference, Sweeney invited criticism for not adhering to the evening’s specific theme. Some thought her “dress is very pretty,” but she ignored the Met Gala 2025 theme. Check out some of the fan reactions below:
Actress Sydney Sweeney looks like she’s going to a White House Correspondents Dinner and not the Met Gala based on Super Fine: Tailoring Black Style. #MetGala2025
— LEGENDARY LADE! ?? (@LegendaryLade) May 5, 2025
I guess this is the “safe” way to interpret the theme! Smh! pic.twitter.com/fR21kAKIGn
Sydney Sweeney completely ignoring the #MetGala2025 theme ? pic.twitter.com/AmzqblyVzB
— Pixie Tenenbaum (@PixieTenenbaum) May 5, 2025
sydney sweeney’s dress is very pretty but not for the met gala def not on theme
— ria⚢ (@neoceans) May 5, 2025
Meanwhile, some X users defended the actor with tweets supporting her choice, “looking gorgeous,” and fitting the theme.
Y’all aren’t going to bully me into hating Sydney Sweeney’s Met Gala ensemble. She looking gorgeous and fit the theme.
— Maracuya (@Marassta) May 5, 2025
While conversation around Sydney Sweeney‘s dress continues, her photos show her sparkling on the red carpet and making an impression at the Met Gala 2025.
