The craziest Met Gala ensembles from the past 10 years

Monday’s Met Gala, an ode to Charles James, is sure to bring out looks that are classic and elegant — in other words, safe — in line with the designer’s oeuvre. All told, it should be quite a switch from a decade long on outlandish themes, ranging from punk to the frills of French aristocracy. It’s a shame, because those were the outfits we remember the most.

Here are our favorites — the most out-there outfits from the past 10 years of Met Gala couture. Enjoy.

Linda Evangelista in Jean-Paul Gaultier Haute Couture and Amber Valletta in a Maggie Norris Couture corset and John Galliano skirt (2004)

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The theme was “Dangerous Liaisons,” i.e., fashion and furniture from the 18th century, so the supermodels totally nailed it, n’est-ce pas?

Karolina Kurkova in Viktor & Rolf (2005)

Patrick McMullan (left); UPI (right)
The model’s look was part birthday cake, part Hallmark card, and thus, 100 percent perfect for an homage to one of the most celebrated design houses of the 20th century: Chanel.

Sarah Jessica Parker and Alexander McQueen in Alexander McQueen (2006)

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The esteemed English designer chose Carrie Bradshaw to be his tartan twinsie for the ball celebrating “AngloMania: Tradition and Transgression in British Fashion.”

Emmy Rossum in Ralph Lauren (2006)

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The actress took the Anglo theme to adventurous heights and went for buccaneer bride.

Kirsten Dunst in vintage Yves Saint Laurent (2007)

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The gala toasted Paul Poiret, but Dunst decided to honor Miss Havisham.

Anna Wintour in Chanel Haute Couture (2008)

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For “Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy,” the Met Gala matron risked looking appropriately otherworldly.

Joy Bryant in Emilio Pucci (2008)

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This look is quite puzzling.

Kimora Lee Simmons in Kevan Hall (2008)

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This one — even more puzzling.

Leighton Meester in Louis Vuitton (2009)

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“The Model as Muse: Embodying Fashion” was a clear but hard-to-translate theme that produced mixed results. Meester decided the best course of action would be looking like some sort of strange doll.

Madonna in Louis Vuitton (2009)

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We know Madge loves a good freak show, but what in Mad Hatter hell was she thinking?

Katy Perry in CuteCircuit (2010)

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“American Woman: Fashioning a National Identity” was another conceptual free-for-all. Perry lit the way in a dress that perfectly suited the “Firework” singer.

Daphne Guinness in Alexander McQueen (2011)

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This was the year of the monumental McQueen show. The eccentric socialite showed up to prove she and the late great designer were birds of a feather.

Freida Pinto in Chanel (2011)

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Sorry, sir, this is not a good look for you.

Marc Jacobs in Marc Jacobs (2012)

EPA (left); Startraks Photo (right)
At the gala for “Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations,” Jacobs pulled out his sheer lace dress and Pilgrim shoes for an impossible conversation piece of his own.

Anja Rubik in Anthony Vaccarello (2012)

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Not to be outdone in the flesh department, the model gave Angelina Jolie a run for the money shot, dropping the year’s biggest (and nearly NSFW) leg bomb.

Coco Rocha in vintage Givenchy (2012)

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The electric yellow pantsuit, supposedly worn by Elizabeth Taylor, should probably have stayed in the past. Or at least not been paired with Pepto-Bismol-pink hair.

Beyoncé in Givenchy (2013)

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Despite designer help, the megastar looked more chaotic than coutured at last year’s “Punk: Chaos to Couture.”

Miley Cyrus in Marc Jacobs (2013)

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In retrospect, this hair-raising look seems pretty tame in comparison to the foam-finger escapades that followed.

Elle Fanning in Rodarte (2013)

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Not sure what tie-dye has to do with punks, but teens will be teens.

Kim Kardashian in Givenchy (2013)

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The reality star, in her most delicate condition, donned the most infamous Met Gala outfit of all time, a look that elicited comparisons to, among other things, Homer Simpson in a muumuu, Mrs. Doubtfire, and your grandmother’s floral sofa.