16 Met Gala Inspired Top Knot Hairstyle Ideas For Your Next Effortless Updo
From Irina Shayk to Adwoa Aboah, this easy updo reigned supreme on the Met steps
Lazy girls rejoice! Our favourite two second go-to hairstyle, the humble top knot, has been given the A-list stamp of approval and a red carpet overhaul at this year's Met Gala.
Between the intricate headpieces and extra-long lengths that sashayed down the red carpet, a new take on a top knot took centre stage, proving to be the most effortless - and easiest - way to upgrade your go-to updo.
From Emma Chamberlain's gothic updo and Jennifer Lopez's undone messy bun, to Irina Shayk's ballerina bun, read on for all the inspiration you need direct from the Met Gala steps...
Irina Shayk
![new york, new york may 06 irina shayk attends the 2024 met gala celebrating sleeping beauties reawakening fashion at the metropolitan museum of art on may 06, 2024 in new york city photo by dimitrios kambourisgetty images for the met museumvogue](https://cdn.statically.io/img/hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/irinashaykmetgala-663a2cf12a358.jpg?crop=0.502xw:1.00xh;0.223xw "The 2024 Met Gala Celebrating "Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion" - Arrivals")
Paired with a deep berry lip, Irina Shayk's effortless top knot let her bold make-up do the talking.
Emily Ratajkowski
Emily Ratajkowski's braided bun for this year's Met Gala might not be as simple to recreate, but with intricate plaits and drawn-out ends it's giving us Y2k nostalgia.
Emma Chamberlain
![new york, new york may 06 emma chamberlain attends the 2024 met gala celebrating sleeping beauties reawakening fashion at the metropolitan museum of art on may 06, 2024 in new york city photo by john shearerwireimage](https://cdn.statically.io/img/hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/emmachamberlainmetgala-663a21723e085.jpg?crop=1xw:0.8334375xh;center "The 2024 Met Gala Celebrating "Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion" - Arrivals")
Sporting goth-inspired make-up and a bold smokey eye, Chamberlain's top knot was relatively low-key in comparison to the rest of her attire. Swept up into a top knot, it featured a sleek yet effortless finish with loose, wet-look hair completing the do.
Jennifer Lopez
![new york, new york may 06 jennifer lopez attends the 2024 met gala celebrating sleeping beauties reawakening fashion at the metropolitan museum of art on may 06, 2024 in new york city photo by john shearerwireimage](https://cdn.statically.io/img/hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/jenniferlopezmetgaalaa-663a2670b2d6a.jpg?crop=0.915xw:0.764xh;0.0442xw "The 2024 Met Gala Celebrating "Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion" - Arrivals")
Created by Lorenzo Martin, Jennifer Lopez's Met Gala beauty look was all about the undone top knot. To create it, Martin began with a high pony, before using a Tangle Teezer The Ultimate Teaser Backcombing Hairbrush to backcomb the hair and make it look 'messy', securing the hair into a loose bun.
Adwoa Aboah
![new york, new york may 06 adwoa aboah attends the 2024 costume institue benefit for sleeping beauties reawakening fashion at the metropolitan museum of art on may 06, 2024 in new york city photo by taylor hillgetty images](https://cdn.statically.io/img/hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/adwoa-aboah-met-gala-2024-663a20f5c67d7.jpg?crop=0.459xw:0.383xh;0.245xw "The 2024 Met Gala Celebrating "Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion" - Arrivals")
It wasn't just her make-up that was seemingly low-key to create, Adwoa Aboah's swept-up top knot looked seriously wearable too. Not to mention, effortless - save for some clever styling products, this top knot is easy to recreate at home.
Elle Fanning
Top knots work for weddings as well. Do as Elle Fanning does and finish yours with delicate blossom and a pretty pink ribbon.
Rooney Mara
Add a sculptural twist to your usual top knot by binding it with pearly pink thread.
Kate Mara
Not sure how to keep all of your hair under control? Why not split into two top knots a la Kate Mara?
Sarah Paulson
The 'American Crime Story' actress worked a trio of bantu style top knots finished with bright yellow ties.
Yara Shahidi
Look close enough and you'll see there's a sneaky hidden plait in that top knot.
Victoria Beckham
VB demonstrates the chic way to make a lazy girl top knot work in a high fashion situation.
Lupita Nyong'o
A delicate gold hair band is the only accessory you need for this statement-making top knot.
Saoirse Ronan
Up the ante on a neat top knot by wrapping a necklace around it for added embellishment.
Margot Robbie
Margot Robbie's half-up half-down top knot is the ultimate cool girl hairdo.
Issa Rae
We're feeling the love for Issa Rae's braided top knot.
Millie Bobby Brown
It's prim in the front, party in the back for Millie Bobby Brown's Dior-inspired braided top knot.
George Driver was the former Senior Beauty Editor - Digital at ELLE UK.
Amelia Bell is the Multiplatform Beauty Director for ELLE UK and Harper’s Bazaar, developing beauty strategy, writing, editing, and commissioning, and leading beauty content across both sites. Amelia has a particular interest in wellness and longevity, exploring the skin-mind connection, and decoding the latest treatments, tweakments and runway trends. She also has bylines for Women's Health, Refinery29, British Vogue, Harrods Magazine, and more.
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![jodie turner smith new bob met gala new york, new york may 05: jodie turner smith attends the 2025 met gala celebrating superfine: tailoring black style at metropolitan museum of art on may 05, 2025 in new york city. (photo by dimitrios kambouris/getty images for the met museum/vogue)](https://cdn.statically.io/img/hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/gettyimages-2213610212-688772f19e73e.jpg?crop=0.500xw:0.750xh;0.257xw,0.0204xh&resize=360:* "Jodie Turner-Smith new bob The 2025 Met Gala Celebrating "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style" - Arrivals")
