If galas had a queen bee, it would be the Met. It’s the one event where the rich, stylish, and famous get together to showcase their most fashionable red carpet looks. We’re not talkin’ Oscar-worthy ball gowns here. We mean outfits that are delightfully risky and, to some, probably never seen before.
Each year, attendees work up what to wear depending on a set theme. For 2013, it’s all about “Punk: Chaos to Couture,” so think studs, spikes, shine, and gold (or at least that’s how we understand it).
The Met took place yesterday. And like clockwork, celebrities, models, designers, and fashion figures paraded their designer frocks and heels for shutterbugs and fanatics (like us) to see. And because we’re bag-crazy, even the tiniest of clutches didn’t escape our attention. Check out the fancy purses we spotted at the Met. Who do you think had the best looking arm candy of the night?
Ashley Greene in Marchesa
Honestly, we didn’t like Ashley’s gold-embellished Marchesa gown. It’s not that the gown was awful, but it sure swallowed her up. That said, we love the gold hardcase she wore it with, a piece from the same label.
Ashley Greene arrives on the red carpet at the 2013 Met Gala held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City on May 6, 2013
Marchesa Iris Python Skin Minaudiere in Light Pink, $2,195
Kylie Minogue in Moschino
Kylie Minogue was one of the few who attended the Met looking less punk and more promlike. She was also one of the few women who paired their dresses with extra small purses. Seriously, the one she brought was extremely tiny, but it was also quite exquisite. It had crystals and studs all over, and it just looked precious.
Kylie Minogue arrives on the red carpet at the 2013 Met Gala held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City on May 6, 2013
Emma Roberts in Diane von Furstenberg
Emma Roberts was simple but stunning in her DVF gown. The frock had an embellished waistline that matched her metallic purse. Do you like her look?
Variations of her clutch, which is also a Diane von Furstenberg creation, can be found at stores like Nordstrom and Shopbop.
Emma Roberts arrives on the red carpet at the 2013 Met Gala held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City on May 6, 2013
Diane von Furstenberg Lytton Clutch, $325
Cara Delevingne in Burberry
Cara Delevingne was the epitome of punk last night. Eveything about her outfit (just as her makeup), including the catchy white studded drawstring pouch she used for a clutch, spelled edgy and rock ’n roll.
Cara Delevingne arrives on the red carpet at the 2013 Met Gala held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City on May 6, 2013
Christina Ricci in Vivienne Westwood
Christina Ricci sure stood out in her plaid gown last evening. She complemented the outfit with lots of bling, too. Even her black framed clutch sported a jeweled clasp that was hard to ignore. Do you dig her purse?
Christina Ricci arrives on the red carpet at the 2013 Met Gala held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City on May 6, 2013
Elizabeth Banks in Atelier Versace
One of our favorite faces at the Met Ball was Elizabeth Banks. Her ultraglam glittery gold tuxedo jacket (worn as a dress) was simply to die for. And here’s the thing, she paired it with the perfect extras to go with. Her fringed heels were stunning. And even more sublime was the studded clutch she had in her hand. We found a similar one at Nordstrom (see below).
Elizabeth Banks arrives on the red carpet at the 2013 Met Gala held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City on May 6, 2013
Natasha ‘Finger’ Studded Clutch, $148
Kate Bosworth in Balmain
Kate was simply stunning in her ultra-embellished Balmain creation. The mini dress, which is actually a top, looked super exquisite on her. She finished the frock with a black clutch that was just as exquisitely decorated.
Kate Bosworth arrives on the red carpet at the 2013 Met Gala held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City on May 6, 2013
Miranda Kerr in Michael Kors
Miranda Kerr was not exactly “punky” last night, but she was sexy as he**. She paired her simple cutout gown with a spiked clutch from Louboutin — the ‘Marquise’. You can find the black and nude variants of her purse at Neiman Marcus.
Miranda Kerr arrives on the red carpet at the 2013 Met Gala held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City on May 6, 2013
Christian Louboutin Spiked Marquise, $1,995
Cameron Diaz and Stella McCartney
Both ladies stood out in their blue frocks. But their stunning purses were what caught our attention. Cameron had a woodlike piece in her hand that was trimmed with gold, while designer Stella McCartney carried a round plexiglass box clutch from her own collection.
Cameron Diaz and Stella McCartney arrive on the red carpet at the 2013 Met Gala held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City on May 6, 2013
Emily Blunt in Carolina Herrera
Emily Blunt was all simple and classy in her tight keyhole-detailed LBD, but she paired it with just enough sparkle and shine to get her noticed. A case in point would be the gold barrel clutch she used to go with the dress.
Emily Blunt arrives on the red carpet at the 2013 Met Gala held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City on May 6, 2013
Diane Kruger in Chanel
One of the best dressed at the Met was Diane Kruger. She channeled romantic rock and finished her black lace frock with a seriously studded and spiked arm candy. We are loving the bag to bits here. Can you help us ID it?
Diane Kruger arrives on the red carpet at the 2013 Met Gala held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City on May 6, 2013
Nicole Richie in Topshop
Another great look from the Met event came from Nicole Richie. She simply blew us away with her white hair and white Topshop dress. But the accessories she paired the outfit with were just as mind-blowing — a megasized ruby ring plus a glam gold clutch from her own collection.
Nicole Richie arrives on the red carpet at the 2013 Met Gala held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City on May 6, 2013
House of Harlow ‘Marley’ Clutch, $195
Jennifer Lopez in Michael Kors
Jennifer looked every bit a diva in her patterned Michael Kors gown last night. She kept everything else understated, including her clutch. The purse was black and was extremely tiny, but it was also quite glittery; therefore, it still took a bit of the spotlight.
Jennifer Lopez arrives on the red carpet at the 2013 Met Gala held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City on May 6, 2013
Rita Ora in Thakoon
For some reason, Rita Ora opted to dress down at the Met Gala. She chose a white frock that exposed a little bit of skin. It wasn’t exactly showstopping, but it was elegant and immaculate. Her purse (and nails), on the other hand, took center stage.
Rita Ora arrives on the red carpet at the 2013 Met Gala held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City on May 6, 2013
Gwen Stefani in Maison Martin Margiela
Gwen Stefani, rocker mom and fashion entrepreneur, kept it classic in black and white at the event. She finished her gown with a white croc-embossed clutch that was pretty understated yet still deserving of a second glance.
Gwen Stefani arrives on the red carpet at the 2013 Met Gala held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City on May 6, 2013
Jaime King in Topshop
Jaime King was one of the few who walked the Met red carpet in a trouser-suit. She chose a pair in satin and wore a lace top underneath for added drama. A sparkly head piece plus a not-so-hard-to-miss black-and-white clutch were the extras that finished her look. Jaime’s clutch is from Alexander McQueen.
Jaime King arrives on the red carpet at the 2013 Met Gala held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City on May 6, 2013
Alexander McQueen Two-Tone Twin Skull Clutch, $1,545
Credit: Andres Otero / Patricia Schlein / WENN