Lewis Hamilton’s 2025 Met Gala Look Was a Lesson in Tailored Storytelling

Lewis Hamilton has never been one to shy away from a statement, whether it’s on the racetrack or the red carpet. But at the 2025 Met Gala, the seven-time Formula 1 World Champion and co-chair of the evening didn’t just make a statement. He told a story.

The theme, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” celebrated the rich history of Black dandyism and the power of fashion as cultural expression. Hamilton, already a seasoned fashion icon, embraced the brief with surgical precision and soulful intention. His custom ensemble, designed by Grace Wales Bonner and styled by long-time collaborator Eric McNeal, was a walking narrative of ancestry, elegance, and resistance. Let’s break it down:

Hamilton wore a sharply tailored ivory tuxedo jacket—cropped just enough to nod to classic dandy silhouettes—paired with high-waisted trousers and flowing coattails. The look was polished with an ivory bow tie and a pristine white beret by Stephen Jones Millinery, punctuated with a vintage brooch. But beyond the clean lines and muted palette, the real magic was in the details.

A sash draped across his torso was delicately adorned with cowrie shells, historically recognised in many African cultures as symbols of protection, wealth, and spiritual power.

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Drawing on the legacy of Black dandyism, the look paid homage to figures such as W.E.B. Du Bois, whose formal attire asserted dignity and challenged racial stereotypes, and Malcolm X, whose sharp suiting embodied empowerment and Black pride. Contemporary icon Andre 3000 also served as a reference point, reflecting the evolution of this tradition with his blend of classic tailoring and modern flair.

Beyond individual figures, the outfit echoed cultural movements like the Harlem Renaissance, where style became a form of artistic expression and identity redefinition, and the Black Liberation Movements, with Hamilton’s beret nodding to the symbolic dress of groups like the Black Panther Party. Artistic influence came from Barkley L. Hendricks, whose portraits celebrated Black style with rich, vibrant detail, and fashion innovator Dapper Dan, known for merging luxury and streetwear into bold expressions of Black excellence.

On Instagram, Hamilton gave followers a glimpse into the process behind the look. “This look has taken months of research and development. Every detail has been deeply considered—there’s a lot of emotion and meaning woven into this. This is more than a suit, this is ancestral history. Stylish, spiritual, and sharp.”

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Pharrell Williams, A$AP Rocky, Lewis Hamilton, and Colman Domingo inside the 2025 Met Gala. Photo: Kevin Mazur | Getty Images

Hamilton’s presence at the Met was symbolic. His evolution from a young driver who once felt like the outsider on the track to a co-chair of one of fashion’s most influential events is powerful in itself. “We’ve always been here. We’ve always been fly. And now, we’re seen,” he declared.

This isn’t his first time using fashion to amplify underrepresented voices. Back in 2021, Hamilton famously bought a table at the Met Gala and invited emerging Black designers to join, opening up vital conversations about inclusion in the industry. Fast forward to 2025, and he’s helping shape the direction of the event alongside co-chairs Anna Wintour, Pharrell Williams, Colman Domingo, and A$AP Rocky.

At a gala where extravagance often steals the spotlight, Lewis Hamilton chose depth. His look was elegant and meaningful. It whispered stories of heritage, resilience, and excellence while standing tall as a vision of modern Black dandyism.

And in true Hamilton style, it was undeniably fierce, and flawlessly fly.