Dwayne Johnson wears a skirt to the Met Gala.
Dwayne Johnson Turns Heads in Skirt at 2026 Met Gala — Then Explains the Bold Look
May 5 2026, Published 1:30 p.m. ET
Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson made his Met Gala debut on Monday night, wearing a custom Thom Browne outfit that featured a skirt over trousers. He was ready with a quick response for anyone surprised by it.
Johnson arrived at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York with his wife, Lauren Hashian, for the Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the “Costume Art” exhibition. The actor and former WWE star donned a formal Thom Browne ensemble that included a tailored jacket, white shirt, vest, trousers, and a pleated skirt layered over the pants.
The Rock poses with his wife while wearing a stylish skirt.
His look quickly became one of the most talked-about moments of the night. Johnson, who built his public persona as a wrestler, action star, and gym enthusiast, did not treat the skirt as a gimmick. He explained that the outfit connected to his Polynesian heritage.
“I was like, look, in our culture, Polynesian culture, we wear lavalavas, we wear skirts,” Johnson told reporters, according to OutKick. “The most masculine men, not that I’m one of them, but the most masculine men wear lavalavas and skirts.”
A lavalava is a wraparound garment worn in parts of Polynesia and some other Oceanic cultures. OutKick noted that men wear this cloth in both everyday and formal settings, such as school, business wear, and even police uniforms in some countries.
Johnson’s explanation added a cultural context to his red carpet moment. The skirt was not presented as a costume joke or an attempt to get attention online. For Johnson, it was a respectful nod to a garment that men in his culture have worn for generations.
The Rock pays tribute to his heritage by wearing a skirt.
The 2026 Met Gala marked Johnson’s first appearance at the event, according to GQ and People. His outfit was part of a custom Thom Browne creation. Hashian also wore Thom Browne to coordinate with him.
The details of his outfit went beyond the skirt. GQ reported that Johnson’s attire included a black mohair tailcoat with hand-pleated silk ribbons designed to look like a spinal cord, aligning with the event’s theme focused on the body and clothing.
The report mentioned that creating this look took more than 2,000 hours and involved 50 artisans.
Johnson also wore a Jacob & Co. Billionaire III watch, which People described as featuring 714 white diamonds totaling 129.61 carats.
Still, the skirt sparked the most conversation. On a night known for dramatic fashion, Johnson’s look stood out because it challenged the narrow expectations often placed on someone so closely linked to size, strength, and traditional masculinity.
The Met Gala takes place each year on the first Monday in May and serves as a fundraiser for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute. The event brings together figures from the film, music, fashion, sports, and business industries, with guests often using the red carpet to express their personal fashion choices.
Johnson’s appearance came as he continues to navigate Hollywood, wrestling, and business. OutKick noted that he serves on the board of TKO Group Holdings, the parent company of WWE. The outlet also highlighted his recent work in “The Smashing Machine” and upcoming projects like Jumanji: Open World and Fast Forever.
For Johnson, the skirt was less about shock value and more about taking ownership. He did not shy away from the reactions. Instead, he responded by referencing his heritage, confidence, and a version of masculinity that didn’t rely solely on a tuxedo to make a statement.