This year’s Met Gala red carpet saw the arrival of daffodils, a sophisticated choice by Anna Wintour, evoking elegance, poise and a unique sense of flamboyance. Once a classic phrase describing the flower’s proud beauty, “dandy daffodil” now quietly resonates with the “flair” personal style of Black dandy men and celebrity guests.

<div _ngcontent-ng-c50637350="" class="markdown markdown-main-panel stronger" id="model-response-message-contentr_b953b594b11ecf21" dir="ltr"> This year, the 2025 Met Gala red carpet saw Anna Wintour’s thoughtful choice: the proud daffodils. Not only does this flower evoke elegance, poise, and camp, but the classic phrase “dandy daffodil” describes a proud charm, but it also quietly reflects the unique personal style of Black dandy men – the central theme of this year’s event: “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style”. The arrangement of daffodils along the entrance to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, a visual tone that is both bright and symbolic, playful on the surface but with many layers of deep meaning. “Dandy daffodil”, an old expression that emphasizes the flower’s towering form, vibrant color, and exaggerated charm, carries a subtle sense of humor – the flower seems to be aware of the viewer’s attention. Though not originally a human term, these qualities are similar to the way a dandy man presents himself: meticulous, conscious of effect, and maintaining a certain distance to maintain control. While culture often associates daffodils with femininity, symbolizing beauty, elegance, and sensitivity, the dandy represents a refined, controlled masculinity that borrows from those same aesthetic codes, dressing not for function but for expression. This combination creates a unique sense of camp—not loud or cloying, but a deliberate display of artistry. In Victorian flower language, daffodils symbolize unrequited love and quiet chivalry, associated with solitude and restraint. At the Met Gala, they were more than just decorations; they created an atmosphere of calm presence, admired without touching, reflecting the precision and poise of the attendees. This year’s theme of dandyism focused on resistance, strategy and self-styling through tailoring, gesture and appearance – the ways in which black men have historically reshaped how they are seen. Daffodils resonated with this spirit: controlling but expressive, decorative but not passive, claiming space with visual presence, making an impact without words, and at their best, speaking through appearance.</div>

This year’s exhibition is a window into 300 years of black style in the Atlantic community, with the dandy at its center. It’s a theme that promises to be an instant red carpet classic. If recent awards shows have shown us anything, it’s that men are really taking their clothes seriously. But what makes the 2025 Met Gala even more unique is that it’s the first Costume Institute exhibition since 2003’s “Bravehearts: Men in Skirts” to focus entirely on menswear. This year’s co-chairs: Pharrell Williams, Colman Domingo, Lewis Hamilton and A$AP Rocky, along with honorary co-chair Lebron James, are renowned not only for being some of the best-dressed men on the planet but also for their commitment to exploring their own personal style. “They’re all men who aren’t afraid to take risks with their expression. They’re embracing classic silhouettes, but they’re also remixing and breaking them down in really new ways,” says Andrew Bolton, curator of the Wendy Yu Collection at the Costume Institute. “I think black men and black designers are at the forefront of this new renaissance in menswear.” This year’s dress code is “Tailored for You,” which leaves plenty of room for experimentation and personalization. So, check out our roundup of the best looks:

The Proud Appearance and Unique Exaggerated Spirit of Fashion at Met Gala 2025

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