Prepare to Be Dazzled By the Most Jaw-Dropping Met Gala Looks of All Time

When fashion meets art.

There's nothing quite as magical as the Met Gala. It's the one night where celebrities, socialites and fashion powerhouses align to bring the glitz and the glamour to the red carpet. Newsflash: Being basic and subtle is not part of the dress code!

The Met Gala is an ultra-exclusive playground for stars to spread their peacock wings and show off larger-than-life designs created by the industry's top designers. You're guaranteed to see a parade of unbelievable pieces worthy of display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Case in point: Rihanna's dreamy haute couture ensemble by Guo Pei that cemented its place in fashion history. The songstress (and newly minted billionaire) lit up the room in a bright yellow, fur-lined cape that enveloped the red carpet with its 16-foot train. 

Following last year's hiatus due to the pandemic, the Met Gala makes its much-anticipated return on Monday, Sept. 13. "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" is this year's theme. 

Brush up on your Met Gala knowledge with a trip down memory lane highlighting the most jaw-dropping looks to ever grace the red carpet.

Rihanna made everyone gasp when she entered ascended the Met stairs in this bright yellow haute couture piece by Guo Pei at the 2015 event. 

One word: iconique! The Homecoming star made fans ooh and aah with her bedazzled (and barely-there) design by Givenchy in 2015.

Now this is how you make an entrance. The Pose star wore a custom "Sun God"-inspired getup by The Blonds. 

Let's all take a moment of silence for this angelic and over-the-top ensemble by Moschino. The "Press" rapper showed up and showed out for the 2018 event.

The late British icon turned heads for all the right reasons with her simple, yet striking royal blue slip dress by Dior at the 1996 fashion event.

The model made a fashion statement, literally! Celebrating Chanel at the 2005 gala, Karolina turned heads with her white-hot "I Love You" gown.

The Simple Favor actress took a fashion risk in Versace and it paid off! From her gold headpiece to the intricate embroidery and beading to the larger-than-life train, this lewk still takes our breath away.

Sleek and chic! The 23-year-old supermodel hit the red carpet in a show-stopping catsuit by Alexander Wang. The skintight piece caught everyone's attention... and it's easy to see why.

The living legend made fashion history with this divine and decadent number. From its lavish diamond beading to its voluminous feathers to its skin-like material, this Bob Mackie design was so grand that others have imitated it for decades.

Looking like royalty! The supermodel followed the theme in 2004—Dangerous Liaisons: Fashion and Furniture in the 18th Century. From her towering wig to massive earrings and a voluminous quilted bottom, Amber spared no detail. 

The pop star put on a show with her dramatic outfit changes... that she pulled off on the red carpet! From her bright and bold Brandon Maxwell ensembles to her larger-than-life props, this is one for the Met Gala history books.

In 2018, the supermodel followed the theme (Heavenly Bodies: Fashion & The Catholic Imagination) with a cheeky Dior design that resembled a confession box. From the cross-stitch pattern to the peek-a-boo material, this is taking us to church!

The 25-year-old supermodel exuded elegance and grace at the 2018 affair with her ethereal Versace design. If anything, her dress looked like stained glass with its multicolored jewel embellishments.

A reported $250,000 worth of rubies adorned the hip hop star's 2019 creation from Thom Browne. 

J.Lo dazzled in a drool-worthy Versace piece that featured sheer material, a body-hugging structure and fiery design of a dragon—which is made out of red, black and silver jewels (of course!).

The singer brought a Giles fashion fantasy to the annual extravaganza in 2015. From the otherworldly pattern to the fan-like structure of her dress, this is one to remember!

This is not your basique LBD. In 2011, the actress dropped jaws with her goth-glam design, which featured massive tulle, a sheer bodice and a spider-like pattern.

Red hot! The American Idol judge lit up the room with her fiery red Maison Margiela gown, matching veil and whimsical headpiece in 2017.

The songstress was the definition of glamour at the 1981 event with her vivacious and voluminous gown.

Flower power! Ashley sashayed onto the red carpet with an eye-catching dress by H&M. From the bouquet of roses to the body-hugging corset, the supermodel stuns at the 2017 event.

Joan of Arc in Versace! In 2018, the Euphoria actress blinded us with her head-to-toe silver ensemble, which featured armor-like pieces, diamond embellishments and chainmail cuffs.

Charlize Theron looked effortlessly elegant in her dramatic black gown at the 2004 fashion affair. Her lavish fuzzy boa and grand diamond necklace tie her ensemble together.

Hot damn! The Oscar winner pulled out all of the fashion stops for the special occasion with her sheer, bedazzled gown by Versace. The massive flowers and gold details were a chef's kiss.

Hate it or love, this custom Givenchy gown is unforgettable! The Keeping Up With the Kardashians star showed off her growing baby bump with her romantic long-sleeve design, which featured an explosion of flowers.

Celebrating the late Alexander McQueen, the legendary supermodel traipsed down the red carpet with an enchanting feathered gown.

Gilded in gold! The Hollywood star looked statuesque in her flashy fringe gown in 2007.

Check out E!'s Met Gala homepage for every must-see look from fashion's biggest night and all the behind-the-scenes moments you might have missed.