Trendsetting accessories took the stage on the biggest night for fashion and couture

Met Gala 2024 is arguably the biggest night for fashion and couture, bringing together various style mavens and A-listers from around the world. The theme for this year’s gala is “The Garden of Time,” where attendees mainly honed in on the flowery, nature-based aspects of the theme. 

Of course, others zoomed into the “time” part as well, with timepiece-inspired ensembles in various shades of gold.

Getting a more holistic understanding of the seemingly abstract prompt entails more than a quick look into some literary and artistic sensibilities. J.G. Ballard’s short story of the same name reveals many of the stylistic expectations this theme had, such as translucence and dystopia. In a similar vein, the accompanying exhibit “Sleeping Beauty: Reawakening Fashion” pushes guests to look towards the planet’s natural beauty and older, more classic silhouettes for their outfits. Secondary themes of the land, sea, and sky also serve as ample inspiration for thoughtful ensembles.

READ: Met Gala 2024: Here’s what to know about fashion’s big night

However, while most eyes are locked on the glamorous clothes, the accessories are worth some extra attention, too. The right necklace or clutch can elevate an already captivating outfit, and these celebrities proved exactly that. Here are some of the best in jewelry and accessories from Met Gala 2024.

The Bro-oches

Male attendees often get flak for a perceived lack of extravagance in their Met Gala outfits. Fortunately, things saw a better turn with the rise in brooches among male outfits. Standouts include Mike Faist’s radish brooch from Loewe, Leon Bridges’ antique floral collection from Joseph Saidian & Sons, and Sebastian Stan’s silver pant brooches from Cartier.

Time purses

With this year’s time theme, some attendees chose to integrate the passage of time in their hands—literally. Bags and purses worn at Met Gala 2024 represented timepieces, best exemplified by Tyla’s hourglass clutch with real sand, which complemented her custom Balmain “molded sand” look. Ben Simmons also carried a briefcase with an analog clock design to further accentuate his Thom Browne look.

Friends of the wild

A theme like “The Garden of Time” is expected to pay homage to animals of all kinds. Zendaya’s custom Maison Margiela by John Galliano look was completed with a fitting hummingbird accessory adorning her head and neck. Similarly, J. Harrison Ghee featured a bug’s antennae as the crown jewel of her ensemble.

Hats on

Headpieces for this year’s gala did not shy away from extravagance, even when they weren’t necessarily animal-themed. Sarah Jessica Parker’s Philip Treacy hat generated the most buzz among Met headpieces. Worthy mentions include Rosalia’s black tulip-inspired veil and Amy Fine Collins’ shell headgear.

The emerald garden

Deep emerald hues provided a sense of groundedness and opulence in otherwise unexpected outfits. Demi Moore’s hand-painted Harris Reed dress was further highlighted with her Cartier high jewelry containing more than seven carats of emerald. Kris Jenner’s all-white outfit welcomed a rich shade of green through a pair of emerald earrings and two emerald rings.

Watch this space

A Met Gala accessory roundup is incomplete without a collection of classic and bejeweled timepieces on wrists. Michelle Yeoh complemented her deep green earrings with a mint green Richard Mille RM 07-01. On the other side of the spectrum, Usher wore a Jacob & Co Ruby Billionaire, adding a splash of rich ruby hues to his black suit. Meanwhile, Lil Nas took us a little back in time through his vintage Piaget timepiece.