The devil is always in the details.
Entertainment luminaries took over the Big Apple on Monday, rocking the finest of furs at the 2023 Met Gala.
Chic met boutique underneath the gleaming Met lights. Some ran toward the shimmer. Other shunted it away.
Athletes are known for pushing the envelope in the pursuit of style. And although there were a few notable names missing out — P.J. Tucker's absence was greatly felt — there were a number of sports stars who understood their assignment: don the most ornate of ensembles and look great doing it.
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So, who reigned supreme? The Sporting News details the best and worst fits from Met Gala 2023, of which the theme was pieces of work honoring the life and legacy of famed Chanel and Fendi designer Karl Lagerfield.
Best and worst 2023 Met Gala outfits from the sports world
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
SGA is arguably the best-dressed player in the NBA. He did little to dispel that notion on Monday, putting together a peach of a number to reassert himself not simply as one of basketball's best talents, but also among its most creative.
The layering, the black and white motif, the lines? How could you not love this fit? Alternating waist lines on the pants and coats are just the cherry on top. Shai is All-NBA ... and in more ways than one.
Stefon Diggs
Stefon Diggs is "Him" on and off the field. The Montgomery County, Maryland, native put on for his hometown with a marvel of a tweed suit. The fit of Diggs' jacket has a distinctly feminine feel to it, although it goes perfectly with his more masculine build. The pants are stunning, just wide enough to create a sort of flare effect that takes one back to the days of "Soul Train" and disco. Rounding off the extravagant number are twinkling leather boots, whose heel-like structure accentuates the shape of the trousers. Simply beautiful.
Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union
This one takes a little getting used to, admittedly. However, D-Wade and Gabrielle Union bring fire and ice for these monochromatic looks. They play off each other, as any good couple should do. Union sports the fiery red leather jacket, while Wade saves his leather for his skin-tight vest. The hints of silver that Wade and Union line their accessories with are just the sort of details that can bring a whole wardrobe together. Daughter (and fashion icon) Zaya will be very proud of this look.
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Daniel Ricciardo
Simplicity can be a bad thing, especially for men dressing up for the Met Gala. How many times have you seen a meekly dressed male celebrity linger around the main floor, almost as if they're scared to look at their own shadow? It's pathetic.
Ricciardo is different. The Formula One star may not have the most convoluted of looks. But the two-toned nature of the suit adds just the bit of class needed to spruce up this rather dull look. Ricciardo wins this one. He's heard that plenty before.
Russell Westbrook
Russ always tries. And that is admirable in and of itself. Brodie has been known to stretch the boundaries of what gender looks like in the sports world, showing off skin in a variety of ways, from crop top to kilt. It's a pursuit that has inspired Westbrook well into his NBA career. And he went to the well once more on Monday, showing off plenty of bare chest while shrouded in a beige cardigan.
Ultimately, this fit falls just short for me. The pants are a little too glitzy, the shoes a little too flat. But the colors are all there. And for that, you have to give the future Hall of Famer credit.
Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltz Beckham
Beckham isn't much of a footballer anymore. But he was once on the books at Arsenal. So we're counting him!
He's got fashion in his genes. But the all-black fit is lacking verve, save for the rows of sparkling jewelry resting on his collarbone. It's all right, I suppose. But it's his partner Nicola who brings the drip, serving up a heaping pile of brilliance with her billowing white flock.
Brittney Griner
It's wonderful to see Brittney Griner smiling again. With the WNBA's preseason mere days away, Griner pulled up to the Met in earthy tones. The fit of the suit left something to be desired, especially given her 6-8 frame. Perhaps Calvin Klein could've done a better job accentuating her height. After all, tall has tended to be associated with high fashion.
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Serena Williams
Serena tends to serve more than most when it comes to looks. But this year's offering did not hit the target, at least as far as this viewer is concerned. Williams loves a radiant shade of black. She showed as much during last year's U.S. Open. But there's just too much going on here. The tule on the bottom feels forced, while the color blocking is very much rigid. Williams' shoulders and neckline aren't given too much room to breathe. And although the see-through sleeves are a nice touch, the overall outfit feels quite discombobulated.
Now, there is the added caveat that Williams is pregnant, so any outfit she chose had to accommodate for a baby bump. Nevertheless, she's rocked better over the course of her career. At least in my opinion.
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Roger Federer
How many times does it have to be stated: If you're going to the Met Gala and you're a man, you have to try something different. Brian Tyree Henry tried something different. Lil Nas X tried something different. So too did Wade, Diggs and Gilgeous-Alexander. Federer went the formal route, and that's okay! But don't expect to feature too highly on this list if you don't try to stand out. It gives groomsman trying to not upstage his bestie at the wedding vibes. No bueno.
Eileen Gu
Eileen Gu is very cool. The American-born skier stands as yet another indication of China's growing prominence on the global sporting stage. And that's dope.
With that being said, Gu's outfit is a bit too dated. As noted fashionista Chloe once said, peplum tops are so very 2013. And the "wine stain" pattern? Eerily reminiscent to open sores. Yuck.
The gloves are a nice touch. And Gu really is dank. She deserves a lot of applause for trying to stick out. It just didn't hit its mark.
Patrick Mahomes
The less said about Mahomes' fit, the better. The Super Bowl champion is undoubtedly one of the most gifted football players to ever lace up cleats. But his style? Brother, please get some help.
At its very best, Mahomes' selection is lacking any real conviction. It's black and boxy. But what does it say about him? Or about his designer, Hugo Boss? The reality is that sporting a T-shirt, suit and chain just doesn't get the job done nowadays. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, obviously. But you got to take risks to make people talk. Mahomes? Well, he'll just about slip through the cracks of anyone's Met Gala conversation. And that's quite sad.