The Power of the Blazer: Tailoring, Dandyism, and the 2025 Met Gala's Modern Suit Revival

Since Saint Laurent made famous the ‘Le Smoking’ jacket, Grace Kelly donned Dior’s skirt suit set, and Melanie Griffith in Working Girl proved that the bigger the shoulder pad, the better, the blazer has remained the ultimate symbol of power and confidence for the modern woman. Whether paired with matching trousers, little short shorts, or well-loved Levis, there will always be a fresh way to style this sartorial essential.

This year’s Met Gala — “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” — heralded some of the most intriguing and innovative takes on the tuxedo the red carpet has seen in a long time (hopefully inspiring male celebrities to make bolder choices than the usual black suit–black tie combo at future events) and provided endless inspiration.

The theme encouraged attendees to imbue their own stylistic idiosyncrasies into classic menswear silhouettes as a way of celebrating the figure of the Black Dandy. Originating during the Harlem Renaissance and rooted in the reclamation of the 18th-century practice of slave owners dressing their slaves to reflect their own wealth and status, Dandyism is characterized by its swagger and playfulness — turning individuality and personal expression into a force for good.

Thom Browne — renowned for his talents in tailoring — was, unsurprisingly, the brains behind many of Monday’s most exciting looks, dressing celebrities like Janelle Monáe, Zoë Saldaña, and Demi Moore.

Monáe’s surreal, retro-futuristic overcoat — which "built on cinematic references across multiple decades" — was especially inspiring and reintroduced a sense of fun and whimsy to the red carpet. Substance star Demi Moore’s dress was also incredibly imaginative, reworking the black-tie staple into a hyper-feminine form: a gown embroidered with over 1,400,000 beads.

Zendaya’s all-white Louis Vuitton ensemble is also worth mentioning for its wonderful evocation of the ’70s, calling to mind Annie Hall with her iconic waistcoat, tie, and hat, as well as the always impeccably dressed Bianca Jagger in her monochromatic suit sets (note to self: you can never go wrong with a bell-bottom).

It’s clear that the Louis Vuitton looks in particular resonated with spectators this year, as the Media Impact Value (MIV) of the brand — also the primary sponsor of the 2025 Gala — rose by $55.2 million within just 48 hours of the event.

Grace Wales Bonner, known for her blend of sportswear and tailoring “with an Afro-Atlantic spirit,” also notably made her Met Gala debut, dressing Lewis Hamilton, FKA Twigs, and Jeff Goldblum in classic tailored looks, each with their own idiosyncratic quirks. Omar Apollo’s leopard-print waistcoat, paired with his neon green–tipped hair, was cyberpunk chic, while Lewis Hamilton’s bejeweled beret and Tyler Mitchell’s fabulous cream feather boa evoked old Hollywood glamour.

The Met Gala’s theme is a surefire sign that you should invest, invest, invest in the enduring appeal of a tailored suit.

Dynamic and timeless, there will always be a way to style it — either as an ensemble or as separate pieces. Try pairing your blazer with jeans or a little skirt, or your waistcoat over a T-shirt. A pair of suit trousers immediately elevates any casual outfit and makes for the perfect done-up-but-dressed-down office attire.

Here’s a selection of our favourite tailored pieces right now: