The Met Gala will take place on Monday, May 2 and the dress code has officially been revealed: Gilded Glamour. The internet is swirling with various examples of Gilded Age clothing, with some predicting Netflix's period drama Bridgerton will be a major source of inspiration for the red carpet (though the Regency-era hit takes place in London rather than The Big Apple). In the official announcement, Vogue described the theme as "gilded glamour, white-tie" with plenty of grandeur in celebration of Gilded Age New York: think feathered hats, pearls and jewel tones.
The Gilded Age took place in the United States between 1870 and 1900 when social reform and political participation were on the rise alongside industrialisation. An era of transformation, the term 'Gilded Age' was coined by Mark Twain in 1873. So, what does this mean for the biggest event in fashion? In the Gilded Age, dressing was an elaborate affair with countless undergarments and too-tight corsets that one could only squeeze into with the help of an assistant or three. We expect to see heavily embroidered gowns in sumptuous fabrics, intricate layers, corsets, gloves and high jewellery aplenty. We can't wait.
