Met Gala 2024 viewers all make the same complaint about the star-studded event: 'Why is this so hard?'

The 2024 Met Gala is well underway, and some of the world's most recognisable celebrities (and a fair few less recognisable ones) have descended upon The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City to show off their designer ensembles and rub shoulders with their fellow fashion lovers. Held every year on the first Monday in May, the Met Gala is a massive fundraiser for the Met's Costume Institute, with tickets to the A-list event costing a mind-boggling $75,000 USD.

Each year, Andrew Bolton, the curator-in-charge at the Costume Institute, chooses the theme the attendees must adhere to. This year's theme honours the Institute's new exhibition, “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion," with the official dress code being “The Garden of Time.” According to fashion expert and commentator Melissa Hoyer, "The theme was inspired by J.G. Ballard’s short story of the same title, The Garden of Time, and it really is one of the more open-ended themes we’ve seen from the Gala in years."

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It may be that it was a little too open-ended because, as is the case every year, there has been plenty of confusion amongst viewers (and potentially some guests) around what the theme means and which celebs "understood the assignment."

Taking to X, people shared their frustration about the guests who they felt were not "bringing it,"

"This year’s theme is so easy but most of these looks are safe and boring…Ngl disappointed so far," wrote one person.

"The way I’ve only seen 6 people on theme," griped another.

"What is the purpose of attending such an event if u wont follow the theme," another asked.

"If I was Anna Wintour, yall would have one chance," one person threatened. "You don’t dress on theme ya’ll are out. How hard is it to be on theme?? That’s the fun of it!"

Lamented another, "WHY IS NOBODY DRESSING AS THE THEME? WHAT IS SO HARD?"

The complaints continued as one fashion aficionado offered, "Also, if you have to explain how you’re on a theme, it’s a flop. I’m sorry."

"I guess celebs forgot the #MetGala had a theme," someone else said.

Anna Wintour questioned this year’s dress code

Melissa Hoyer told Yahoo Lifestyle that she doesn't even know why the Met Gala bothers with a theme any more, given that the majority of guests "either ignore it altogether or make a flimsy, token attempt to include it in their attire."

Says Melissa, "With this year's official dress code “The Garden of Time,” which celebrates the Costume Institute’s latest exhibition, “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion", even Vogue boss Anna Wintour questioned the rationale of this year’s code.

"Sure, we’re seeing lots of wild, wonderful and a few woeful interpretations, but I think Ms Wintour and her team should perhaps relax/dump the dress code and just let the guests run sartorially wild."

The stars who 'got it right'

Meanwhile, there were at least some celebs who viewers thought had gotten it right, such as Zendaya who many fans dubbed as having "the best outfit" for the night thanks to her custom Maison Margiela creation.

Mindy Kaling was another winner in her stunning architectural Gaurav Gupta gown, with fans being obsessed with her look.

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Greta Lee, Ayo Edebiri, Dan Levy and Tyla were also among the famous faces who got the tick of approval from viewers.

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