Ultimate Met Gala Throwbacks: Amazing Looks You've Totally Forgotten About

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GWYNETH PALTROW, 1999

The star wore Calvin Klein to her inaugural - and most recent - Met Galas. In between, she went dark and sported teal snakeskin.

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JENNIFER LOPEZ & PUFF DADDY, 1999

The artist formerly known as Puff Daddy found out what happened "if you had J.Lo's love" in 1999: He got an invite to squire her to a fancy gala in matching neutral-colored ensembles.

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PRINCESS DIANA, 1996

A lady who knows a thing or two about good jewels, Princess Diana accompanied her fashion editor friend Liz Tilberis (and outshone the celebs) in a Dior gown and her famous pearl-and-sapphire necklace.

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JESSICA SIMPSON, 2001

Jessica's interpretation on the Jacqueline Kennedy theme that year was a decidedly beachy one.

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SANDRA BULLOCK, 1997

Even at an exhibit dedicated to one of the most flamboyant designers of all time (Gianni Versace), Sandra is going to do Sandra – and we love her for it.

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Victoria Beckham, 2003

Metropolitan Museum Of Art Costume Institute Benefit Gala — Getty

The artist formerly known as Posh Spice struck a pose in a sheer mini at the Goddess-themed party, five years before she'd reinvent herself as a major designer.

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SARAH JESSICA PARKER, 1995

It's a tribute to the star's enduring fashion icon status that she could wear this exact dress on Monday and we wouldn't bat an eye.

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Kate Hudson, 2003

With her backless white gown, halo of curls and tiara, the newly-minted movie star looked positively angelic at the "Goddess: The Classical Mode"-themed event.

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NAOMI CAMPBELL, 1995

It takes a true supermodel to outshine a dress so sparkly, it's practically galactic. Naomi Campbell is that supermodel.

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Mary-Kate Olsen and Ashley Olsen, 2005

2005: THE HOUSE OF CHANEL — Peter Kramer/Getty

Before firmly establishing their caftans-and-oversized-jewels aesthetic, the then-NYU freshmen opted for floaty boho dresses and a lot of eyeliner.

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Blake Lively, 2011

The star took her "red carpet goddess" status super-literally at the Alexander McQueen-themed event.

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DREW BARRYMORE, 2006

Drew's ability to rock a red lip like no other definitely set the stage for her turn as a makeup mogul a few years later.

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Liv Tyler & Stella McCartney, 2009

There's pretty much nothing more rock-n-roll than establishing your credentials (Liv's the daughter of Aerosmith's Steven Tyler, while Stella's dad is Paul McCartney) at a "Rock Style" themed gala via tees and trousers.

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JAKE GYLLENHAAL & KIRSTEN DUNST, 2003

Between Jake's rumpled, tie-free suit and Kirsten's knit beanie, we're wondering if they thought got their invites mixed up and wore their Hipster Dance Party outfits instead?

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EVA MENDES, 2006

The theme was AngloMania, which should help put Eva's sexy tribute to Jane Austen novels in context.

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IVANKA TRUMP, 2004

Ivanka had a very busy May that year: Not only did she attend the Met Gala in a butterfly appliqué tea-colored satin mermaid dress, she graduated from the University of Pennsylvania cum laude.

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CATE BLANCHETT, 2007

Once again, Queen Cate proves she can look transcendent in gowns mere mortals can't even approach.

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Cher, 1985

The Metropolitan Museum's Costume Institute Gala Exhibition of "Costumes of Royal India"

For Cher (accompanied by her longtime designer Bob Mackie) this is basically like wearing pajamas.

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Zoë Kravitz, 2008

The Metropolitan Museum Of Art Costume Institute Annual Gala - Arrivals — Getty

She might have been better known for being the daughter of Lenny Kravitz and Lisa Bonet, but the Vogue team saw her potential early: In the intervening decade, the actress has clearly established herself as a style superstar.

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Jacqueline Onassis, 1979

Costume Institute Gala Presents "Fashions of The Hapsburg Era"

The former First Lady continued to be a major style-setter at all the most major fashion events in New York, long after leaving the White House.

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KATE BOSWORTH, 2007

It's a bold star who chooses a mini for the Met Gala, but Kate has never played it safe – even on the biggest red carpet of the year.

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KAROLINA KURKOVA, 2005

And we love this dress – even more for finding out that the year she wore this creation, she had to sit "and let someone else shove the dress in the car," as she told PeopleStyle at a First Monday in May screening.

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JENNIFER GARNER, 2007

The best part of this gorgeous red gown with its cape-like train? She could totally recycle it the next year for the Superheroes theme.

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CLAUDIA SCHIFFER & DAVID COPPERFIELD, 1995

Their relationship may have lost its magic, but the photos of them from this era (is that a scrunchie?) sure didn't.

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Amber Valletta, 2004

"Dangerous Liaisons: Fashion And Furniture In The 18th Century" The Metropolitan Museums Costume Institute Benefit Gala — Getty

Some themes are best left to the supermodels, as Amber proves by making her "Dangerous Liaisons"-themed attire look killer rather than costume-y.

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DONATELLA VERSACE, 1999

Long before Fashion Faceoffs were a thing, Donatella gave us all a preview of the dress Jennifer Lopez would make immortal at the Grammys the next year.

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DITA VON TEESE & MARILYN MANSON, 2005

Another relationship that fizzled, but we will always have the memories of what black tie looks like when you're Marilyn Manson.

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BARBARA WALTERS, 1996

Allover gold sequins never go out of style, but no one makes them look quite as timeless as the news anchor.

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BRANDY, 1995

Brandy's shimmery two-piece mini suit with matching silver boots at the Haute Couture-themed event was so fab, it might have been the inspiration for the costumes on Xenon: Girl of the 21st Century.

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