Wait—These Met Gala After-Party Outfits Rivaled the Main Event

The fashion only got better after dark.

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NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 04: Olivia Rodrigo attends the Saint Laurent Met Gala after party at People's Bar on May 04, 2026 in New York City.
(Image credit: Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images for Saint Laurent)

Fashion’s biggest night came and went in the blink of an eye. The 2026 Met Gala—cochaired by Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman, Venus Williams, and Anna Wintour—delivered an evening of statement-making style. This year’s theme, Costume Art, explored the relationship between clothing and the human body, inspiring a lineup of internet-breaking looks from Rihanna, Emma Chamberlain, and Kylie Jenner. But before the post–red carpet blues kick in, here’s the upside: The after-parties are just getting started, and the outfit changes are already underway.

Half the fun of the Met Gala after-parties is the unpredictability—you never quite know what celebrities will slip into next. While sticking to the theme is essential on the red carpet, the late-night circuit is far more relaxed, allowing A-listers to let loose.

On that note, scroll ahead for this year's best (and most unexpected) 2026 Met Gala after-party looks. Fair warning: These outfits might live rent-free in your head all week.

See All the Looks From the 2026 Met Gala After-Parties

Hailey Bieber's Met Gala after-party dress

(Image credit: Getty Images)

WHO: Hailey Bieber

WEAR: Dilara Findikoglu dress

Tate McRae attends the Met Gala after-parties in 2026 wearing a gold dress

(Image credit: Getty Images)

WHO: Tate McRae

WEAR: Ludovic de Saint Sernin dress

Tessa Thompson attends the Met Gala after-parties in 2026

(Image credit: Getty Images)

WHO: Tessa Thompson

WEAR: Valentino S/S 26 couture top

Olivia Rodrigo attends the Met Gala after-party in 2026

(Image credit: Getty Images)

WHO: Olivia Rodrigo

Connor Storrie attends the Met Gala after-parties shirtless

(Image credit: Getty Images)

WHO: Connor Storrie

Met Gala after-party outfits: Margot Robbie wears jeans

(Image credit: Getty Images)

WHO: Margot Robbie

Ciara at a Met Gala after-party

(Image credit: Backgrid)

WHO: Ciara

Kendall Jenner Met Gala after-party

(Image credit: BACKGRID)

WHO: Kendall Jenner

Zoe Kravitz

(Image credit: Getty Images)

WHO: Zoë Kravitz

WEAR: Saint Laurent dress

Maude Apatow attends the Met Gala after-parties in 2026

(Image credit: Getty Images)

WHO: Maude Apatow

Janelle Monae wears a black dress

(Image credit: Getty Images)

WHO: Janelle Monáe

Misty Copeland at a Met Gala after-party

(Image credit: Getty Images)

WHO: Misty Copeland

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Kelsey Stewart
Kelsey Stewart
Contributing Fashion Editor

Kelsey is a Los Angeles–based fashion, lifestyle, and beauty writer with more than six years of experience. She began her career in 2019 as an intern at The Zoe Report, where she later held roles including Editorial Assistant, Fashion & Beauty Writer, and Associate Fashion Editor. Kelsey also spent time at Shopbop as a copywriter, shaping homepage, email, and social media content for the retailer. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Fashion Business Management from The Fashion Institute of Technology. Her work has also appeared in Vogue, Glamour, Byrdie, InStyle, Refinery29, WWD, Footwear News, and Coveteur.