It's (Pony) Cuffing Season at the 2025 Met Gala
Lorde, Mindy Kaling, and Megan Thee Stallion will convince you to get in on summer's lowest-maintenance hair trend.


The Met Gala is a notoriously high-maintenance event. Preparation is not for the weak (or the poor), as celebrities and fashion fixtures shell out thousands of dollars to get their skin in check (Met Gala facials are next-level), nails done, bodies massaged—you get the point. So when a more low-key hairstyle started to dominate the 2025 Met Gala red carpet, I paid attention.
Pony cuffs—you know, the little silver, gold, glitzy bands and beads adorned atop traditional rubber bands—started to show up on more than three celebrities, and it's worth reporting on. While the hairstyle can be dressed up for the red carpet (look to Lorde, Mindy Kaling, and Megan Thee Stallion for proof), it's also beyond easy to DIY and a fabulous summer hairstyle.
It's customizable first and foremost, lending itself to a single-statement pony cuff or a bubble pony situation. You can splurge on a luxe gold option (I'm obsessed with Lelet NY) or stalk the pages of Amazon for budget options. It's my go-to for a beach day hairstyle, but if anyone wants to invite me to a red carpet in the near future—I promise, I can make it work.
Need inspiration on how to wear the pony cuff look? Scroll ahead for ideas, straight from the Met Gala 2025 red carpet.
Lorde
Lorde at the 2025 Met Gala.
Sha'Carri Richardson
Sha'Carri Richardson at the 2025 Met Gala.
Megan Thee Stallion
Megan Thee Stallion at the 2025 Met Gala.
Mindy Kaling
Mindy Kaling at the 2025 Met Gala.
Shop the Pony Cuff Trend
Stay In The Know
Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.

Samantha Holender is the Senior Beauty Editor at Marie Claire, where she reports on the best new launches, dives into the science behind skincare, and shares the breakdown on the latest and greatest trends in the beauty space. She's studied up on every ingredient you'll find on INCI list and is constantly in search of the world's glowiest makeup products. She's constantly tracking the biggest nail and hair trends to pop up in the beauty space, going backstage during fashion weeks, tracking celebrity looks, and constantly talking to celebrity hair stylists, nail artists, and makeup artists. Prior to joining the team, she worked as Us Weekly’s Beauty and Style Editor, where she stayed on the pulse of pop culture and broke down celebrity beauty routines, hair transformations, and red carpet looks. Her words have also appeared on Popsugar, Makeup.com, Skincare.com, Delish.com, and Philadelphia Wedding. Samantha also serves as a board member for the American Society of Magazine Editors (ASME). She first joined the organization in 2018, when she worked as an editorial intern at Food Network Magazine and Pioneer Woman Magazine. Samantha has a degree in Journalism and Mass Communications from The George Washington University’s School of Media and Public Affairs. While at GWU, she was a founding member of the school’s HerCampus chapter and served as its President for four years. When she’s not deep in the beauty closet or swatching eyeshadows, you can find her obsessing over Real Housewives and all things Bravo. Keep up with her on Instagram @samholender.
-
'Forever' Is Renewed for Season 2. Here's Where Creator Mara Brock Akil Thinks Keisha and Justin's Story Could Go Next
"What I love about the ending and the complexity is that love is intact."
-
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Wedding Broke Tradition in a Surprising Way
It made the day much more in line with the average wedding.
-
30 Pieces at Zara and H&M to Instantly Elevate Your Summer Work Wardrobe
Chic picks for $100 or less.
-
The 2025 Met Gala Beauty Looks Were Even Better at the After-Parties
The behind-the-scenes hair and makeup we missed on the navy carpet.
-
Rihanna's Favorite Met Gala Beauty Accessory? Her Baby Bump
The mogul's look is her interpretation of the night’s theme: Superfine: Tailoring Black Style.
-
Of Course Nicole Kidman Would Be the First to Try Westman Atelier's Long-Anticipated Lip Liner Launch
And all the details on her new pixie.
-
Laura Harrier's Met Gala Makeup Stays Glowy-Not-Greasy Thanks to This $14 Setting Spray
Locked in "from the carpet to the dinner and to all the after parties."
-
Megan Thee Stallion's Met Gala 2025 Hair Is Giving Leaning Tower of Diamonds
Her Met Gala hairstyle reached new, sparkling heights.
-
Exclusive: Angel Reese's Met Gala Makeup Mantra? "Perfect, Flawless Skin"
The athlete is showing the beauty in Black dandyism.
-
Doechii Brought Her Voluminous Afro to the 2025 Met Gala and We Are All Grateful
The glam is next level.
-
Zendaya's 2025 Met Gala Makeup Is Going on My Bridal Beauty Board
Feminine and edgy, all in one.