PHOTOS: A Look Back At The 'Wildest' Met Gala Ensembles Of All Time

The 78th annual Met Gala returns this Monday (May 5), and what better way to build excitement for this year’s theme than by reminiscing some of the boldest and most elaborate looks from past galas?

This year's concept, Superfine: Tailoring Black Style, celebrates "Black dandyism from the 18th century through to its revival during the Harlem Renaissance and its impact on fashion today," per CNN, and is a beautiful precursor to the Metropolitan Museum of Art's newest exhibition of the same name, open to the public on May 10.

Year after year, A-list icons showcase brilliant looks created by talented designers with striking visions. A diverse and refreshing range of themes have emerged throughout the history of the Met Gala, some more memorable than others, but each bringing a unique perspective to fashion.

Previous themes include Punk: Chaos to Couture (2013), Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination (2018), Camp: Notes on Fashion (2019), In America: A Lexicon of Fashion (2021), and Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty (2023) to name only a few.

US Weekly zoomed in on a few ensembles that made headlines, including Lil Nas X paying homage to Karl Lagerfeld's cat, Jared Leto wearing a cat costume, and Doja Cat taking on the persona of an actual cat in 2023.

For more on last year's theme, read 2024 Met Gala: Every Eye-Popping Red Carpet Look You Need To See.

Check out some of the craziest looks in Met Gala history below to get ready for tomorrow's event!