The 2017 Met gala was held this week in New York City at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The event serves as the annual fundraiser benefitting the museum's Costume Institute and serves as the formal opening of the annual fashion exhibit. The gala and fashion exhibit usually selects a theme and this year's theme was "Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons: Art of the In-Between." Mrs. Kawakubo (pronounced cow-cu-bow) is a Japanese fashion designer and started the Comme des Garcons fashion label, based in Tokyo and Paris, in 1969. She is known for her fashion forward, avant-garde designs. Mrs. kawakubo's designs typically focus on pushing boundaries and exploring the intersection of fashion and anti-fashion. This year's event was electric and particularly so among the men. Many looks elicited excitement, even Pharrell Williams in jeans, spoke to the in-betweenness of the nights theme. Perhaps attendees took a cue from the near reclusive Mrs. Kawakubo as they strolled the red carpet in silence, allowing the clothes to speak for themselves.

While women attendees are encouraged to truly explore and interpret the night's theme with their looks, men are requested to wear white tie evening wear. Serving as a backdrop to the more over-the-top frocks women wear, traditional white tie typically means a tailcoat and matching trousers, a white wing-collared shirt, a white vest, studs and cuff links, a white bow tie, white or grey gloves, black patent shoes, and black dress socks.

There were some guys wearing white tie. However, most chose to break with tradition and not let the women have all the fun.

There were dark tuxedos, flashy suits, casual ensembles, even denim made an appearance on the red, I mean, beige carpet. I was particularly impressed with the white dinner jackets. I think it added a dashing flair and looked pristine against some of the more adventurous gowns.

Guys at this year's Met gala decided to stay true to themselves while still honoring the dignity of the event by tastefully adding their own personal style. Incorporating your personal style shouldn't come at the expense of denying what makes you an individual. This idea was reinforced at this year's Met gala in the way the chose to exhibit their looks. I'm anxious to see how the men will represent next year. Stay stylish friends...