The men who wore it well at the Metropolitan Museum Of Art's 2018 benefit.

It’s called the Oscars of fashion, and for good reason. Just like Hollywood’s big celebratory bash out west, the Metropolitan Museum Of Art’s annual gala to benefit its Costume Institute in New York, with all its attendant doings, dresses and subplots, runneth right over the bounds of reason into the realm of spectacle. And what a spectacle it is, even for those of us with only an invitation to social media, the online agora of event commentary where, on the first Monday of May every year, someone ought to be handing out Oscars for the hottest takes, the best roasts, and the most fawning adoration. What’s more, this year’s theme, “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion And The Catholic Imagination” gave the red carpet’s greatest stuntmen the green light for the most opulent, over-the-top, straight-out-of-the-Vatican decadence (though, as you’d expect, some of the world’s most stylish men stayed squarely within their comfort zone; Mr George Clooney remained, despite everything, very Mr Clooney). Here, we’ve pulled together a selection of some of our favorites with a few takeaways for our next black-tie event.

Multi-hyphenated showman and all-around style star Mr Donald Glover has been having quite a week, hosting Saturday Night Live in swaggy 1970s lounge-lizard looks from Missoni and Gucci, releasing an internet-breaking music video and here, looking right at home under the full glare of the fashion world in a blush tuxedo from Gucci. Clearly, he’s been reading our enthusiastic endorsements of neutral colours leading into the summer, but the contrast grosgrain lapels and white horse-bit Gucci loafers place Mr Glover into a far more daring place, though one where he is clearly entirely comfortable.

There were some really fun, really wild and some really ill-advised takes on the event’s Catholic-inflected theme. But the rappers Quavo, Offset and Takeoff, known collectively as Migos, managed to look sort of perfect in their full, go-for-baroque Versace, Versace and Versace tuxedos. Granted, the pattern-matching of their shirts with their on-trend, maximalist, logo-heavy jackets is not for the faint of heart. Nor would most civilians opt for accessories the size and brilliance of a Wimbledon trophy, but there is something to be said for committing to an occasion. Takeaway: know your own style, read the room and have a ball.

Alternative eveningwear is important. And, as anyone who has taken more than a cursory glance at red-carpet photos knows, one really cannot go wrong with a dinner jacket from Tom Ford. In the comfort of that knowledge, Mr Andrew Garfield separates himself from the traditional penguin suit with a theme-appropriate, ecclesiastical-red shawl-collar jacket from said designer. A word to the wise, as we’re sure Mr Garfield now knows: velvet dinner jackets are not for wallflowers as they may/will encourage those in your company to stay close – very, very close.

Our friend, the very smart Mr Paul Bettany, also opted for something a little outside the box, and we’ll bet he’s happy he did. A lightweight white three-piece suit is a wonderful way to step into summer, adding a little subtropical feel to a late-afternoon party. And while no one will question Mr Bettany’s commitment to the festivities – the all-white-everything look really pops – the discrete minimalism of his accessories and the fit of his suit do not distract from the real star, his wife, Ms Jennifer Connelly, just out of shot.

Mr Clooney, who accompanied his wife, Ms Amal Clooney, a co-chair of the event, similarly remained firmly in his role of plus-one (there are some great gifs of him struggling to get out of her way as she posed for pictures). Beyond that, you really have to appreciate someone who knows their style, what they like and what works for them, and remains true to that, even with all the hoopla and concessions to themes and frivolity on wild display around them.

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