The Best-Dressed Women Over 50 At The 2026 Met Gala

The 2026 Met Gala carpet brought us another round of luxurious, avant-garde fashion, but it was a particular fashion treat for our eyes from older celebrities. Well, mostly. Though there were a handful of major misses from the likes of Madonna (her look was ludicrously over the top), Sarah Paulson (her odd dollar glasses ruined what could have been an ethereal ensemble), and Kate Moss (her sheer, lingerie-inspired look didn't fit the art theme), multiple older stars reinforced something we already know: style gets better with age.

Nicole Kidman served a sequin dress masterclass, while Gabrielle Union-Wade demonstrated how to wear one of the year's hottest color trends, brown. Then there was Anna Wintour's fashion-forward, expertly matched ensemble, and Julianne Moore's less-is-more long, black dress that was styled to perfection. These beauties and more are the 2026 Met Gala's best-dressed women over 50.

Nicole Kidman stole the spotlight in her sequin and feather Chanel dress. Though full sequins can be tough to pull off as they can add bulk to the frame, the close, flattering tailoring to Kidman's body prevented that. The star also kept her hair down and pin-straight to avoid overwhelming the dress. She spoke to Vogue about her gown's hidden meaning, explaining she purposefully wore red. "I feel that it's a strong symbol for love, for passionate love, vitality, for power, and motherhood," she said.

Fashion designer Stella McCartney strutted her stuff with director Greta Gerwig in a wispy, feathered, nude, strapless gown from her collection. The structure (including exaggerated hips) kept the feathers from overwhelming her frame, while the see-through skirt tapped into the sheer-clothing trend that's been going strong since 2023. The feathers helped obscure her legs, showing a fun way for those over 50 who don't want to show too much skin to get in on the movement.

Anna Wintour hasn't always landed on the Met Gala's best-dressed list (one of her '90s Met looks we still wish we could forget), but that wasn't the case this year. The fashionista expertly matched her turquoise-and-black gown to her Chanel feather cape, adding movement and drama to her look. She accessorized with a rare, black and silver Van Cleef & Arpels necklace that perfectly accented the look in an unexpectedly glam way. She also gets major props for staying true to her style via her dark sunglasses.

Angela Bassett's one-shoulder pink gown brought some much-needed color to the carpet. Bassett's monochromatic 'fit shimmered in the camera flashes, and her dress featured ornate beading that was complemented by her romantic, pink makeup. The actor gets extra fashion points for the shrewd thought behind her look. The Prabal Gurung gown with a high-slit was inspired by the Girl in a Pink Dress painting by Laura Wheeler Waring, which ensured she was expertly on theme.

Gabrielle Union-Wade's custom Michael Kors dress was another nod to the sheer dress trend. The rich brown shade (one of the hottest colors of the moment) looked gorgeous against her skin tone and created a sparkly nude illusion aesthetic over her natural bodysuit. The halterneck top also showed her enviably toned arms. She added a statement up-do, a head-turning gold necklace, and large rings to the dress, which otherwise may have been considered too simplistic for the major fashion event.

We're used to seeing Kris Jenner in darker shades and clean lines, so her kimono-inspired, sequin gown made a welcome change for the Kardashian matriarch. The Dolce & Gabbana gown paired perfectly with her statue earrings to create an ornate, old-school aesthetic but with a sparkly, modern twist. Her trendy banged bob only added to the chic aesthetic. Speaking to Vogue, "The Kardashians" star explained she got advice from her daughters regarding her 'fit, likely including Kim Kardashian, Kendall Jenner, and Kylie Jenner, who also attended the event.

A black dress may be considered safe for the Met Gala, but Julianne Moore made it interesting. The actor's Tom Ford gown put a twist on the classic via its white, off-the-shoulder strap, while her sophisticated red lip added a splash of color. She also added a textured wrap that brought major drama, and slicked her red locks back to balance the look and maintain a sleek, clean aesthetic. Yet, she unexpectedly wore two chunky earrings in one ear and one in the other for an avant-garde feel.

Nia Long brought our jaws to the floor in her plunging, velvet black custom LaQuan Smith gown that was as elegant as it was timeless. Though the shade wasn't the most exciting, Long expertly showed us how adding texture to a black dress can create intrigue. The uniquely flattering structure, including exaggerated hips and a statement necklace, also ensured the dress didn't fall into the boring category. Smith explained the thought behind the ensemble on Instagram, writing, "She is the moment. She is the art."

Donatella Versace also got in on the exaggerated hip aesthetic that dominated the 2026 Met Gala red carpet. The chic latte color of her dress stunned against her skin, and the strategically placed rhinestones over the structured corset highlighted her shape. Pairing the Versace top with a tulle overlay skirt demonstrated a more conservative way of getting in on the sheer dress trend without showing skin, and the gathered tulle train also ensured the look wasn't too safe for the Met Gala, which is all about fashion risks.