Former Vice President Kamala Harris did not wear one of the eye-popping outfits many are known to sport for the Met Gala but her fashion choice still set off a wave of commentary.

The failed Democratic presidential nominee made a surprise appearance at the high-profile event which included hosts Pharrell Williams, Lewis Hamilton, Colman Domingo and A$AP Rocky. The theme, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” was described by the Met as honoring Black dandyism and “the importance of clothing and style to the formation of Black identities in the Atlantic diaspora.”

“Kamala Harris stuns at the Met Gala,” gushed the Democratic Party’s social media account, along with a picture of the former VP.

Why is the Democratic Party’s main social media account posting this? https://t.co/UMJXpGFOFU

— Zaid Jilani (@ZaidJilani) May 6, 2025

In a statement about the gala, Harris told Vogue magazine, “Art has always had a significant impact on not just culture, but also our policies and politics.”

“Artistic expression—whether it’s dance, music, visual arts, or fashion—has a way of capturing the mood and language of the people without words. Art has the power to shape the conversation about where we are today and where we need to go,” she added.

The eye-popping cost of a ticket for the 2025 Met Gala was only one of the criticisms prompted by Harris’s appearance.

$75,000 a ticket, if you score an invite. https://t.co/KMBpQfFlxt

— Richie Greenberg (@greenbergnation) May 6, 2025

“The A-list event, held annually on the first Monday in May to benefit The Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, draws celebrities from the worlds of entertainment, business and other domains in support of the Met’s acquisitions and exhibitions on fashion,” CBS News reported, noting that “You must be invited to attend — tickets aren’t available for purchase by the general public.”

“The cost of entry to the 2025 Met Gala for an individual is $75,000. Tables for multiple guests start at $350,000,” the outlet added.

She looks like an AI generated image of her.

That dress looks like there is another woman in the same dress right behind her. My eyes can’t make sense of this. Lol.

Also, we like millionaires flaunting their wealth at vapid parties now? The day Trump imposed student loans?! https://t.co/0DkJHQOsFV

— Chad Felix Greene 🇮🇱 (@chadfelixg) May 6, 2025

“On the one hand, Harris is probably the second-most-famous Black politician in the country behind Barack Obama. Why wouldn’t she attend the Met Gala that specifically celebrates Blackness?” Olivia Craighead wrote for New York Magazine. “On the other hand, attending an event like this does not make it seem like she’s in touch with the kinds of people who are freaking out over what tariffs are going to do to the price of groceries.”

*How do we win back enough of the populists and the working class to compete for power again?*

*Photos of party leaders in designer clothes to attend the premier gala for Manhattan elites?*

*Good call. Tweet it from the official account.* https://t.co/QJnGeRDw6G

— Conor Friedersdorf (@conor64) May 6, 2025

Many social media comments focused on the familiar black and white look of Harris’s dress.

Crafted from the coats of 101 Dalmatian puppies. https://t.co/o9v4X9Spn5

— John Ashbrook (@JohnAshbrook) May 6, 2025

Kamala Harris stuns at the Met Gala dressed up as that iconic New York staple dessert, the Black and White cookie https://t.co/gpf1orAu7w pic.twitter.com/NKkagakJer

— Enguerrand VII de Coucy (@ingelramdecoucy) May 6, 2025

Kamala de Vil pic.twitter.com/xHwH4irq8G

— Planet Of Memes (@PlanetOfMemes) May 6, 2025

Appropriate to wear a dress that doesn’t know if it’s black or white

— Robert Kroese (@robkroese) May 6, 2025

Stunned in the sense that we can’t believe she’d show her face in public, yes

— Jake Schneider (@jacobkschneider) May 6, 2025

She still seems a bit burdened by what has been. 🤷🏻‍♂️

— Steve Baker (@SteveBakerUSA) May 6, 2025