The Met Gala, first held in 1946, is a glamorous event that serves as a fundraiser for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute. Celebrity guests are hand-selected by Vogue Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour and are expected to wear elaborate costumes following that year’s theme. Whether you’re into analyzing fashion or you just like looking at the memes, the Met Gala is a big deal. And in late 2022, the theme for the 2023 Met Gala was announced: “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty.”

Karl Lagerfeld was a German fashion designer known for his unique designs and persona. During his lifetime, he worked with several luxury fashion houses, including Diesel, Fendi, Valentino, and most notably, Chanel. He is often credited with the revival of the brand in the 80s. Some of the most notable changes he made to the brand include shorter-than-short skirts and the introduction of the interlocked “CC” into patterns. Lagerfeld had a love of combining intellectual chic with traditional glamour- reflected in his own signature wardrobe. Beyond the tweed suits and chained dresses he designed, Lagerfeld was committed to his image for the entirety of his career. Although his personal look might seem fancy, it’s not too difficult to put together your own Lagerfeld-inspired outfit.

When you break it down, the look is surprisingly dress-code friendly. At its core, it’s a white shirt and black pants, two basics everyone has laying around. Once you have your foundation on, layer on an equally smart vest or blazer. To complete the look, add some edgier accessories. Notable details of the Lagerfeld look include ties, fingerless gloves, and chain jewelry- all of which are allowed in the handbook. Throw on some black leather shoes and there you have it, your very own Lagerfeld look!

One of Lagerfeld’s most famous quotes is “Fashion is a language that creates itself in clothes to interpret reality.” So, the next time you go to get dressed, make it a reflection of the reality you want to live in.