At the Met Gala, Pete Davidson Embraces Yet Another Style Evolution

And while there’s something undeniably novel about an SNL cast member rocking a dress, Davidson’s choice is refreshing for how not-totally-shocking it is. These days, you can’t swing a Thom Browne Hector bag on a red carpet without hitting a famous man wearing a skirt: the likes of Odell Beckham, Jr., Dan Levy, Jeremy O. Harris, Lil Uzi Vert, David Harbour, and Russell Westbrook have worn Browne’s knife-pleated kilts. Meanwhile, Lil Nas X, Harry Styles, and A$AP Rocky have bravely freed their legs on magazine covers and late night couches. Dresses appear to be next: Browne’s Spring-Summer 2022 collection, unveiled Friday in New York, featured dozens of slim tunics in classic suiting fabrics and fine tulle.

“Does anybody care? I don’t give a shit,” Davidson says as strips down to his boxer briefs in the showroom. A Thom Browne employee brings the dress over. Davidson’s hair is freshly bleached, which he and the TB team thought would work best with the look. (“I love dyeing my hair blonde,” he says. “I’m always looking for an excuse.”) Other than the hair, Davidson’s pre-Met grooming routine will be simple: smoke weed and listen to 2 Chainz.

As his stylist Britt Theodora zips him up, Pete begins shimmying a little bit, testing how the fabric feels on his body. It might be the shiny new wingtip boots, but he looks taller, and as he begins strutting around the room, he looks confident—sexy, even. A Thom Browne tailor points out the dress’s various design features. It has pockets! “They added them for my drug paraphernalia,” Davidson quips. It’s got darts on the front to create a trim, but not tight silhouette. “This is very nice. I’m very loose. Everything is swinging around.” A debate ensues over whether they should take shears to the sleeves of the white oxford Pete will wear underneath. (The chopped sleeve is a popular styling move among Thom Browne staffers.) “If we can cut them to here,” Davidson says, pointing to the middle of his bicep, “that would be sick. Just because I’m a sweaty piece of shit.” The decision is pushed to Monday.

When Davidson hits the Met’s iconic red carpet, he knows he’ll get a reaction—it’s what happens when you challenge one of menswear’s final taboos. When I ask Davidson what his buddies back home will say when they see it, he launches into his best south shore impression. “They’re gonna be like, I don’t understand it, but good for you. What are you, a nun? I already know all the comments.” Davidson doesn’t care. He slips into the white tailored overcoat that completes his look and glides over a full-length mirror. “Siiick. Yeah, this makes it look sick. So sick. I’m definitely wearing no underwear. It would be so funny.”