'Too Much': Halle Berry, 58, Causes a Stir with Her 'Risky' Sheer Gown with Black Stripes at the 2025 Met Gala - Photos

After a seven-year absence, the "Catwoman" star returned to the spotlight at one of fashion's most exclusive nights, sparking intense online debate and revealing a deeper story behind the bold look.

Actress Halle Berry, 58, became the talk of the evening following her appearance at the 2025 Costume Institute Benefit, popularly known as the Met Gala. The event took place on May 5, 2025, at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.

Berry walked the event's signature blue floral carpet in a striking black gown featuring bold sheer paneling separated by glittery black stripes. The floor-length ensemble included a dramatic fan-shaped train and a deep plunging neckline.

She layered the gown with a structured black blazer and completed the look with a statement diamond necklace, bold rings, and a vintage-style fascinator with a mesh veil.

Berry's ensemble received a wave of responses across various platforms, where many viewers shared their opinions on its revealing design and overall impact.

On Instagram, one person wrote, "She looks fabulous but there are better ways to accentuate her figure without exposing the edges of the hedges."

Another commented, "She is beautiful and she is Halle Berry. She does not need to wear something so vulgar." A third added, "Nope! So not appropriate!"

Over on Reddit, reactions were similarly critical. One commenter simply stated, "That is RISKY." Another said, "she looks so uncomfortable. she knows this is bad [sic]."

One reaction read, "Head to toe - absolutely not. This is the worst look of the night by far [sic]." Another declared, "This is the worst thing she's ever worn."

On Facebook, several fans expressed disappointment in Berry's wardrobe choice. One person wrote, "Not appropriate. Shows too much [sic]."

One more added, "I never thought I'd refer to the Halle Berry as trashy but here you go. She doesn't need to go to the gutter, she's the it girl, I'm so disappointed in this distasteful outfit [sic]."

Following the public debut of her bold Met Gala look, Berry offered fans a glimpse behind the scenes through her Instagram.

In a playful video shared to her account, the actress appeared in a white bathrobe and black sunglasses, lip-syncing to her voice saying, "Hi. You've reached Halle Berry. Sorry, I can't get to the phone right now, but if you leave your name and number, I'll get right back to you."

As she shut the door, the clip transitioned to her full Met Gala appearance, paired with an upbeat tune. The caption of the post read, "…you rang?"

In another post, shared collaboratively by Berry and celebrity makeup artist Hung Vanngo, fans were given a closer look at her glam preparation. The video featured Berry getting ready for the red carpet and included detailed credits for her team and the products used for her skincare and makeup look.

Berry's bold return to the Met Gala in 2025 marked her first appearance at the annual event since 2017. At the time, she wore a striking sheer black one-shoulder gown adorned with metallic floral embellishments.

The form-fitting outfit featured an illusion bodysuit base and was layered with sculptural gold and black petals that cascaded dramatically down her legs and onto a voluminous train. The intricate design showcased a high-fashion aesthetic that blended elegance with bold detail.

For her 2025 comeback, Berry opted for a custom gown by LaQuan Smith. Speaking to British Vogue, Smith shared that the look drew inspiration from traditional tailoring, reimagined with sheer fabrics, stretch silks, and bold cutouts.

The dress featured alternating sheer mesh and black, Japanese bugle bead-embroidered panels, all tailored to hug the "Swordfish" star's figure. Berry arrived in a cropped tuxedo jacket and a netted veil, enhancing the evening's theme of Superfine: Tailoring Black Style.

"She knows exactly who she is and has such a clear sense of style, but she's also incredibly collaborative," shared Smith. "During the fittings, she wasn't just stepping into a garment – she was shaping it with me."

The designer credited Berry for pushing for specific cuts that elevated movement while striking a balance between elegance and edge. Berry noted, "I'm just grateful to serve as a humble muse for LaQuan Smith, who answered the call for a bespoke gown befitting a powerful theme."

Her statement look was elevated with exclusive pieces from Cartier's High Jewellery collection. Berry became the first person to wear the Cartier Tsagaan set, described as a geometric homage to the Mongolian snow leopard.

The necklace featured 31.69 carats of diamonds and 3.74 carats of onyx, sculpted into the leopard's face — a process that took more than 1,136 hours. The matching earrings included 3.96 carats of diamonds and 0.4 carats of onyx, crafted over 319 hours.

"When Lindsay [Flores, my stylist] and I were exploring options for tonight, we felt that the clean, geometric lines and the stark contrast of the onyx against the white gold and diamonds really lent themselves to the theme," Berry said.

She emphasized the importance of tailoring every element of her look, including accessories.

Speaking to People, Smith added more insight into his design vision. "I've always been inspired by the essence of Harlem Renaissance and this jazzy era," he said.

"For me, sharp tailoring and an exaggerated shoulder is what I've always been incorporating in my collections. I love the '80s as well, and the fearlessness of Josephine Baker, so I think that you're going to be able to get some of the essence of all of those notes through the design," noted Smith.

To ensure her skin complemented the high-shine jewelry, Berry turned to ALASTIN Skincare. She shared with British Vogue, "The Met Gala is a long day, so today I prepared my skin with Alastin to keep my skin fresh and hydrated from morning glam to the evening events."

She highlighted her go-to products, including the Ha Immerse Serum, Eye Treatment, and Restorative Neck Complex. "Skincare doesn't stop at the chin," she added.

Berry's fashion-forward presence aligned with this year's Met Gala theme, which is also the title of the Costume Institute's spring 2025 exhibition.

The exhibit presents a cultural and historical exploration of Black style, focusing on over three centuries of fashion influence through the lens of dandyism.

Emerging in the 18th-century Atlantic world — a time shaped by slavery, colonialism, and imperialism — Black dandyism blended African and European traditions to create new avenues for self-expression, identity, and social commentary.

The theme reflects how clothing became a tool for aesthetic distinction and navigating and resisting societal limitations based on race, gender, class, and sexuality.

Organized into 12 thematic sections, such as Champion, Respectability, Heritage, Beauty, and Cosmopolitanism, the exhibition highlights how Black style has been used to assert presence, dignity, and individuality.

Against this backdrop, the Met Gala celebrated bold fashion statements and the deep narratives embedded within them.

Halle Berry's return to the Met steps after a seven-year hiatus aligned powerfully with this year's message. Her custom LaQuan Smith gown, combined with intricate Cartier High Jewellery and intentional styling choices, reflected the theme's call for bold self-expression and historical awareness.

While her look stirred divided opinions online, it undeniably captured the evening's essence — one where fashion serves as a form of storytelling, agency, and cultural significance.

Here are some additional photos from the Met Gala: