Let’s be real for a second. Most guys show up to the Met Gala looking like they’re headed to a particularly stiff cousin's wedding. They wear the black tux, they maybe swap a tie for a bowtie, and they call it "fashion." But then there’s Colman Domingo.
Honestly, the Colman Domingo Met Gala evolution is something we should probably be teaching in schools. He doesn't just "wear" clothes; the man tells a whole short story with a lapel. If you watched the 2025 Met Gala—which he co-chaired alongside A$AP Rocky and Pharrell Williams—you know exactly what I’m talking about. He didn't just walk the carpet. He owned the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in a way that made everyone else look like they were just visiting.
The 2025 Power Move: It Wasn’t Just a Cape
The 2025 theme was Superfine: Tailoring Black Style, based on Monica L. Miller’s book Slaves to Fashion. This wasn't some abstract "garden" vibe like the year before. This was about the Black Dandy. It was about history, resistance, and absolute elegance.
Colman showed up in custom Valentino, designed by Alessandro Michele. First off, the color. That royal blue? It wasn't random. Colman actually told reporters on the carpet that his research with Miller led him to the fact that freed slaves often wanted to wear their finest blue wool suits. It’s a color that signifies dignity and "choir" and kingship.
But the real kicker was the homage.
He wore this massive, structured blue cape that was a direct, heart-tugging nod to the late, great André Leon Talley. Specifically, it referenced the iconic blue silk court dress Talley wore to the 2011 Met Gala. Seeing Colman—a man who is currently the pinnacle of Black excellence in Hollywood—pay that kind of respect to the first Black creative director of Vogue? It was a moment.
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That Surprise Reveal (Because One Look Isn't Enough)
You’ve gotta love a man who understands the drama of a reveal. After the photographers got their fill of the regal blue cape and that insane Boucheron jewelry (those ear cuffs were everything), he shed the outer layer.
Underneath was a masterclass in "maximalist minimalism."
- A checked Valentino jacket that looked like it cost more than my entire life.
- A black-and-white cravat.
- A polka-dot boutonniere that somehow didn't look "clownish" at all.
It gave Zoot Suit vibes mixed with 19th-century dandyism. It was "disruptive," which is exactly how Colman describes his style goals. He’s not interested in being "safe." He’s interested in being seen.
Why 2024 Was the "Wait, Who Is This?" Moment
Before he was the king of the 2025 steps, the Colman Domingo Met Gala 2024 appearance was the one that officially put the fashion world on notice. The theme was Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion, and the dress code was The Garden of Time.
While everyone else was wearing literal vines, Colman tapped Willy Chavarria. He arrived in a double-breasted tuxedo that defied physics. The lapels were massive—like, wingspan massive. He wore these incredibly wide-legged trousers that some people on Reddit actually hated, but they were wrong. The volume was the point.
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He carried a bouquet of white Calla Lilies wrapped in black, mirroring the lilies on his suit. It was somber, architectural, and deeply cool. It felt like a funeral for boring menswear. He looked like he was mourning the death of the standard three-piece suit, and honestly, we should have all been there to pay our respects.
The Secret Sauce: Wayman + Micah
You can't talk about Colman’s style without mentioning his stylists, Wayman Bannerman and Micah McDonald. These guys are geniuses. They’ve been working with him since November 2024 specifically for the 2025 Met, building Pinterest boards that looked more like art history theses than fashion mood boards.
They looked at:
- The Moors in Medieval and Renaissance art.
- Othello references.
- The Zoot Suit Riots.
- Civil Rights movement tailoring.
That’s why he never misses. There’s a "why" behind every stitch. When you see him in custom Burberry at the Fashion Awards or rocking a mustard-yellow Valentino couture suit at the Critics' Choice, you're seeing a guy who knows his history. He isn't just a "best-dressed" list regular; he's a historian who happens to look like a movie star.
Dealing with the Critics
Of course, not everyone gets it. After the 2025 reveal, some fashion "experts" thought the blue cape was a bit too costume-y. Others complained that the pants in 2024 were too long or too "weird."
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But that's the thing about the Colman Domingo Met Gala legacy: he isn't dressing for the people who want him to look "nice." He’s dressing for the eight-year-old version of himself from West Philly. He’s said before that he was a skinny, nerdy kid with big dreams. Now, he uses the Met steps to manifest those dreams for himself and his ancestors. If the pants are a little long, it’s probably because he’s standing on the shoulders of giants.
What You Can Learn From Colman’s Style
You probably aren't heading to the Met Gala anytime soon (and if you are, why are you reading this? Go get your fitting!). But Colman’s approach to the red carpet has some actual "real world" takeaways:
- Tailoring is God: If the fit is off, the outfit is dead. Colman obsesses over the silhouette. Even his oversized looks are "intentionally" oversized, not "it doesn't fit" oversized.
- Accessorize Like You Mean It: Don't just wear a watch. Think about brooches, cravats, or even a vintage pocket watch (he wore an 1899 Omega to a Vogue shoot recently).
- Color is a Weapon: Stop wearing grey. Try the "freed slave blue" or a deep burgundy. Color communicates mood.
- Tell a Story: When someone asks "What are you wearing?", you should have a better answer than just a brand name.
The Bottom Line
Colman Domingo has basically filled the void left by Chadwick Boseman and André Leon Talley. He’s the guy who reminds us that fashion isn't frivolous—it’s a visual language for identity and power. Whether he's in a cape or a Zoot Suit, he’s teaching us that being a "dandy" isn't about being pretty; it's about being precise.
Next time you see him on those steps, don't just look at the clothes. Look at the history he's carrying on his back. Literally.
Actionable Insights for Your Wardrobe:
- Find a Signature Piece: Colman has the cape/long coat. Find the one item that makes you feel "powerful" and lean into it.
- Invest in a Great Tailor: Before you buy a new suit, take your old ones to a professional. A $200 suit that fits perfectly beats a $2,000 suit that bunches at the ankles.
- Research Your Style: Look into the history of the pieces you like. Understanding the origin of a "Mandarin collar" or a "double-breasted jacket" makes you wear them with more confidence.