You can count on the red carpet for the 2026 Met Gala being filled with A-list stars. Still, many of us have the same question on our minds: Will Zendaya be attending? And, if so, what will Zendaya’s 2026 Met Gala outfit be?
The star has a history of delivering memorable fashion moments at the Met, all masterminded by her stylist, Law Roach. From her Joan of Arc-inspired Versace in 2018 to her Louis Vuitton zoot suit last year, Zendaya always understands the assignment. So, what might she make of 2026’s “Fashion is art” dress code?
The options are endless—but we have some ideas. (Hint: archival Mugler and custom Margiela are both on the table.) Below, Vogue’s predictions for Zendaya’s Met Gala 2026 outfit.
Body-ody-ody!
If Zendaya does one thing at the Met, it’s honor the theme. And, given the focus on the body in “Costume Art,” the Costume Institute’s spring exhibition, we could see her reaching for a look that abstracts her form—a sculptural Comme des Garçons dress, say, or maybe a molded Jean Paul Gaultier catsuit.
Throwback Monday
Zendaya and Law Roach love reviving an archival runway look—and where better to do that than at the Met? (In 2024, after all, she wore not one but two vintage Galliano looks.) Mugler’s figure-hugging designs from the ’90s would be a no-brainer. “I would also love to see Zendaya in the [2011] skeleton dress by Iris van Herpen,” says Vogue research director Kristin Auble. “She is one of the few people that could pull off such an exceptional form.”
Fashion is Art
We have little doubt that whatever she wears, Zendaya’s look will double as a show-stopping art piece. “We can always count on Zendaya for a capital-M Met moment at the Met Gala,” says Vogue fashion writer Hannah Jackson. “I imagine she’ll go big on the ‘fashion is art’ brief with a piece of performance art. (This is, after all, the woman who transformed her Cinderella dress in real time on the 2019 Met Gala carpet.) Maybe a Shalom Harlow at McQueen moment is in her future?” All she needs is a portable spray-paint machine.
“It’s Couture, Honey”
Given the dress code, it seems likely that Zendaya will wear couture—and the recent spring 2026 couture collectsions had plenty of theatrical, head-turning ensembles to offer. That feathered, hooded Chanel bolero? A bell-shaped Christian Dior gown (with matching floral-bouquet earrings)? Zendaya could pull off either with aplomb.
Custom…
There’s also a good chance that Zendaya will wear something custom to the Met—but what? She could adapt one of the dramatic, golden-caped Maison Margiela looks from fall (only without the eerie face masks), or maybe add a miles-long train to one of the sculptural, body-enveloping Loewe dresses from fall. The options for play and experimentation are truly boundless.
…or Costume!
Remember when Zendaya went full-on Cinderella at 2019’s camp-themed Met Gala? Or, more recently, when she wore one of Carrie Bradshaw’s most famous Sex and the City dresses? Zendaya loves to combine pop culture with fashion—so for the Met, we can’t rule out her wearing some piece of Hollywood history. Maybe…Carrie’s John Galliano newspaper-print dress?
Honorable mention: Bridal-Chic
Then again, Zendaya could surprise us all and go full-on bridal. “This is never going to happen, but Zendaya should wear her wedding dress to the Met Gala, or at least a version of it,” says Replica Handbag Store Runway production and editorial associate Irene Kim. “Everyone wants to know more about the Tomdaya wedding! Also, considering that Law confirmed the wedding has already happened, what better way to make a statement of her own than with a big unveiling at the biggest red carpet event of the year?” One can dream!
