Rockin' the 'Cle
- 🕶️
- Monocle
- The Big Apple 🌆
- Janelle Monáe
- Met Gala's Fashionable Bash 💼✨
Observing subject through single lens eyewear - Keeping a single, circle-framed eyepiece for observation purposes: A single, small telescopic device for closer observation.
Back in the day, monocles were all the rage, my friend! It was back in the swanky, modernist era of the late 19th and early 20th centuries [5] that these bad boys found their place in the style world. They were particularly popular among the Upper Crust and slick cats trying to look sharp and debonair. Fast-forward a bit (or a lot if you're not good at math), and these one-eyed wonders fell out of fashion around the mid-20th century. But hey, they still symbolize elegance and class, ain't that right?
Let's get this party started with New York – the city that never sleeps! Now, it ain't no secret that New York is the fashion capital of our fair nation. The Met Gala, an annual soiree celebrating the scene of high fashion and culture, takes place right there in The Big Apple. The 2025 Met Gala was all about "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style" [4]. This theme paid homage to historical Black fashion trends, with a mention of Black dandyism, which, if you didn't know, is all about a polished, sophisticated, and stylish look. Now, we didn't read nuthin' about monocles at the last Met Gala, but who knows, maybe someone popped one out at an after-party!
Now, let's talk about Janelle Monáe, a fashion legend in her own right! This lady attended the Met Gala and was known for her wild and unique style. She's got an eye for the outrageous, blending traditional looks with futuristic aesthetics. But, as far as monocles go, we didn't spot Janelle sporting one in recent years [4]. Still, we gotta admire her flair for fashion!
So, while monocles might not have been the star of the show at the Met Gala lately, they've left a lasting impression on the world of fashion. And while Janelle Monáe didn't slip on a monocle during the 2025 Met Gala, her bold style definitely represented the spirit of Black dandyism [4]. Know what I'm sayin'?
I'm not going to be able to make it to the next Met Gala, but if I were, I would have loved to see Janelle Monáe donning a monocle for the occasion. Alas, even though the theme honored Black dandyism and its polished, sophisticated, and stylish aesthetic, she didn't sport one at the 2025 event. Perhaps, in a nod to the swanky, modernist era of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, entertainments filled with celebrities embracing pop-culture, a monocle-wearing superstar could make a grand entrance someday.
