It’s nearly time—we’re counting down the days until the first Monday in May, when the fashion world will be abuzz with talk of the Met Gala. This year’s subject will be ‘Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty‘ to honour the late Karl Lagerfeld, a legendary contributor to The Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute and one of the fashion industry’s most famous leaders. 

Though the Met Gala’s fashion has become a little monotonous in recent years (cue the Kardashian dull outfits and men’s standard suit and tie attires), we still get to swoon over those key players like Blake Lively, Gigi Hadid, and Jared Leto. However, fans and fashion devotees agree that the grand gala that took place in the year 2018 will forever be remembered as an iconic event in the fashion industry. And it all has to do with Chadwick Boseman, the late King of Wakanda. 

Never forget Chadwick Boseman’s 2018 Met Gala fit pic.twitter.com/gRBbPKFHES

— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) August 29, 2020

Taking the subject, titled “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination,” to new heights, the then-40-year-old actor walked down the red carpet dressed like real-life nobility. The late Chadwick Boseman wore ivory trousers and a matching-coloured cape adorned with gold crosses and other embellishments over a spotless white button-down shirt and a white jacket.

In terms of accessories, he opted for hefty gold Bulgari B.Zero1 rings to complement his gold embroidered white Versace suit—making him one of the few men at the event to truly interpret the topic from head to toe. Donatella Versace, the designer of his divine Met Gala tuxedo and cape, spoke to him as “an artist, a hero for so many, and a true gentleman.” He finished off the look with Christian Louboutin striking gold loafers. 

Nothing will top Chadwick Boseman’s Met Gala look. pic.twitter.com/6DlZluASXQ

— N²☆ (@FAVPLAYGIRL) September 13, 2021

In relation to a Vogue article released by his stylist Ashley Weston, the actor took inspiration from the characters he’s taken on: “His collaboration with the Versace team captured the spirit of these roles–with golden embroidery mirroring King T’Challa’s royal finery and a sweeping cape echoing Brown’s costumes.”

Fans were quick to notice that Boseman’s outfit was really embodying the evening’s theme. “I just want to thank Chadwick Boseman for sticking to the theme and not wearing a boring suit. He looks fantastic. This is how it’s done, fellas.’’

Jared Leto and Chadwick Boseman delivered. Can’t really speak for the rest of the bums who showed up in plain suits. pic.twitter.com/4ZvJHDGXEo

— 777. (@drizzyxcole) May 8, 2018

It’s reasonable to argue that men have yet to make an eye-catching fashion statement like Boseman’s. Especially at fashion’s biggest night, such as the Met Gala. Historically, men’s red carpet costumes have been far more boring than women’s. They were uninteresting, boring options with most of them showing up in a tux, a tux and another tux. As a result, Chadwick Boseman and Jared Leto’s 2018 red carpet looks will go down in history as masterpieces.  

We hope that as attitudes concerning sex and gender evolve, men will loosen up, acquire confidence, and vary from the monotonous, black-tie standard. Having said that, we can’t wait to see what those men bring to the table this coming Monday.