Honestly, it felt like everyone and their mother was waiting for Sabrina Carpenter to hit those iconic Metropolitan Museum of Art steps in May 2024. This wasn't just another red carpet. It was the moment the "Espresso" singer officially ascended from Disney alum to genuine pop royalty, and she did it while looking like a literal dream.
The theme for the night was "The Garden of Time," tied to the "Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion" exhibition. Most people go the literal route with flowers or vines. Sabrina? She went for an orchid. Specifically, a blue orchid.
The Sabrina Carpenter Met Gala 2024 Look Explained
The dress was a custom creation by Oscar de la Renta, and it was massive. Not "I can't walk" massive, but "I need a team to carry this train" massive. It featured a black velvet bodice that hugged her perfectly, transitioning into a huge, cloud-like skirt. That skirt was the star. It was a billowing, powder-blue ombré satin that looked like something out of a high-fashion Cinderella remake.
She wasn't alone, though. This was the big debut.
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Barry Keoghan, the Saltburn star everyone was obsessed with at the time, was right there with her. He was wearing an olive-colored velvet Burberry suit with a top hat. They didn't walk the carpet holding hands—she did her solo moment first to let the dress breathe—but they met up on the steps. It was basically the internet's favorite "hard launch" of all time.
Why the "Blue Orchid" Was a Big Deal
You might think, okay, it's just a blue dress. But for Sabrina, blue is kind of her thing. In interviews with Vogue that night, she mentioned that the color blue is very much in theme with her life. It felt personal.
- Designer: Oscar de la Renta (Fernando Garcia and Laura Kim).
- The Inspiration: A blue orchid, but with a heavy 1960s Brigitte Bardot influence.
- The Shoes: Massive black platform heels. If you know Sabrina, you know she’s 5'0" on a good day. She needs the height for those long dresses to work.
- The Jewelry: All diamonds. A statement necklace that looked like it cost more than most people's houses.
The Beauty Breakdown: "Bratz Doll" Realness
People on Reddit and Twitter go back and forth about her makeup, but you can't deny it's iconic. Her makeup artist, Carolina Gonzalez, used Armani Beauty for almost everything. They went for a "delicately fierce" vibe.
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Think heavy blush (the signature Sabrina look), shimmery white/blue eyeshadow to match the skirt, and a glossy lip. It was very mod, very '60s. Her hair was classic Sabrina: big, bouncy, blonde waves with those curtain bangs that every girl in America tried to copy three days later.
Some critics said the blush was too much. Others said it made her look like a Bratz doll. Personally? I think that’s the point. She’s leaning into a hyper-feminine, almost animated aesthetic that works for her brand.
What Happened After the Red Carpet?
If you thought she stayed in that giant velvet gown all night, you're crazy. No one can dance in that. For the after-party, she swapped the "blue orchid" for a light blue minidress, also by Oscar de la Renta. It had these 3D floral appliqués all over it.
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It was much more "party girl" and much less "museum piece."
Interestingly, looking back from 2026, this was the last time we saw her and Barry Keoghan as a "unit" at a major event like this. By the 2025 Met Gala, they had split, and she arrived solo in a "pantless" Louis Vuitton look that sparked a whole other set of memes. But the 2024 appearance remains the one fans get nostalgic about. It was the peak of that specific era of her career.
Actionable Takeaways for Your Own Style
You probably aren't going to the Met Gala next year. But there are things you can actually take from the Sabrina Carpenter Met Gala 2024 vibe:
- Embrace the "Signature": Sabrina knows she’s petite. She uses high-contrast bodices and massive platforms to create an illusion of length. If you're short, don't be afraid of the "no pants" look or high-waisted structures.
- Monochrome Beauty: Matching your eyeshadow to your outfit is back. Just keep the rest of the face neutral so you don't look like a painting.
- Velvet is King: If you want to look expensive on a budget, velvet is the easiest fabric to pull it off. It absorbs light and looks rich in photos.
The 2024 gala wasn't just about a dress. It was about a pop star finally finding her footing on the world stage. Whether you loved the "Cinderella" vibe or thought it was too much, it’s a look that’s going to be in the mood boards for years.
To keep your own wardrobe current with this aesthetic, start looking for pieces that balance heavy textures (like velvet) with airy ones (like satin or silk). It creates a visual tension that always looks high-end.