Honestly, walking the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art is a nightmare for some people. You’d think a guy named Schwarzenegger would be immune to nerves, but Patrick Schwarzenegger at the Met Gala is a different story. He’s actually admitted it: the event scares him. Despite that, he’s become a bit of a fixture. He doesn’t just show up in a boring tuxedo. He takes risks.
People always expect the "Arnold’s son" version of Patrick—bulky, perhaps a bit stiff—but he’s carved out a path that is strictly high fashion. His 2025 appearance was a massive talking point, mostly because he wasn’t there alone. He hit the carpet with his White Lotus co-star Aimee Lou Wood. They looked like a power duo from a completely different era.
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The Balmain Risk That Paid Off
Most guys play it safe. They wear a black suit, a skinny tie, and call it a day. For the Patrick Schwarzenegger Met Gala 2025 look, he went the opposite direction. He wore a navy and yellow zoot suit-inspired ensemble by Balmain.
Olivier Rousteing, the creative force behind Balmain, basically had total control. Patrick said in interviews that he basically just let Olivier do his magic. He trusted the process. The result was a striped, tailored getup that leaned heavily into the "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style" theme. It was bold. It was a little bit "Dick Tracy villain," as some internet commenters pointed out, but it worked.
The details were what really sold it.
- The Rings: He wore a Fabergé egg ring designed by Benjamin Hawkins.
- The Portrait: The ring actually contained a hand-painted enamel portrait of Patrick himself.
- The Stone: A peach-brown diamond that caught every flashbulb on the carpet.
It’s that level of vanity and art that the Met Gala is actually about. If you're going to go, go big. He did.
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Dealing with the "Ex" Factor
The red carpet is a small world. While Patrick was there with Aimee Lou Wood, his past was also in the building. A photo went viral of Patrick smiling as he walked past his ex-girlfriend, Miley Cyrus. They dated way back in 2014-2015.
The internet, being the internet, went wild. People were dissecting his expression, her awareness (or lack thereof), and the general "vibe" of the encounter. But here’s the reality: Patrick is happily married to model Abby Champion now. The Met Gala is basically a high-school reunion with a multi-million dollar wardrobe budget. Sometimes you run into an ex. It’s rarely as dramatic as the TikTok captions make it out to be.
Why 2025 Felt Different
The 2025 gala happened right as The White Lotus Season 3 was peaking. Patrick played Saxon, and the show was breaking every viewership record HBO had. Being at the Met Gala wasn't just about fashion anymore; it was a victory lap.
He and Aimee Lou Wood spent seven months filming in Thailand. They became incredibly close. Aimee mentioned that having Patrick there helped her with her own nerves. She was a debutante that year, and the Met is a lot to take in when it’s your first time. Having a "veteran" like Patrick—who had already been through the 2022 "Gilded Glamour" cycle—made a difference.
In 2022, he was much more traditional. He wore a sharp, custom Ralph Lauren look that fit the "Gilded Age" theme perfectly. It was elegant. It was safe. By 2025, you could see the shift. He stopped trying to look like a "classic leading man" and started trying to look like a "fashion person."
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Breaking Down the "Superfine" Aesthetic
The 2025 theme was complex. It wasn't just about "clothes." It was about the history of the dandy and the emergence of Black style through tailoring. Patrick’s choice of Balmain was a specific nod to this. Olivier Rousteing is one of the few Black creative directors at a major French fashion house, so the collaboration carried more weight than just "looking cool."
Some critics hated the yellow. They thought the pants were too wrinkled. Fashion is subjective, though. If you aren't being criticized at the Met Gala, you probably didn't do it right.
What You Can Learn From Patrick’s Style
- Trust the Expert: Patrick didn't micromanage Olivier Rousteing. If you're working with a top-tier designer, let them design.
- Accessories Are Everything: The Fabergé ring was the secret MVP of his 2025 look.
- Context Matters: His look worked because it paired with Aimee Lou Wood’s Ahluwalia suit-gown. They looked like they belonged in the same story.
The Reality of the Met Gala
Patrick has been honest about the fact that it's an intimidating room. You’re surrounded by the most famous people on the planet, all wearing things they can't sit down in. It’s hot. It’s crowded. But Patrick Schwarzenegger has mastered the art of the "effortless" appearance.
He knows how to carry a suit. Maybe it’s the genes. Maybe it’s the years of red carpets. Either way, he’s proven that he’s more than just a famous last name. He’s a guy who understands that fashion is a performance.
If you're looking to upgrade your own formal style based on Patrick's evolution, start with the fit. Even the "zoot suit" look was impeccably tailored to his frame. Move away from standard black and white. Explore textures like tweed or corduroy, which he’s been seen wearing at other high-profile events like the Sun Valley Film Festival. Most importantly, find a signature accessory that tells a story—even if it isn't a hand-painted portrait of yourself in a diamond ring.
Next Steps to Elevate Your Style
- Study the Silhouette: Look at the "zoot suit" proportions from Balmain's 2025 collection to see how oversized shapes can still look intentional.
- Research the Theme: Dig into "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style" to understand the historical context of Patrick’s outfit.
- Analyze Tailoring: Compare Patrick’s 2022 Ralph Lauren tuxedo to his 2025 Balmain suit to see the difference between "classic" and "avant-garde" tailoring.