One of fashion’s biggest nights took place yesterday as designers, models and a slew of celebrities sauntered into Manhattan’s Metropolitan Museum clad in their best black tie attire. GAP and Vogue played host, as the night coincided with the debut of the Met’s new exhibit, “American Woman: Fashioning a National Identity.” True to rumors that started swirling last June, this year’s Costume Gala was decidedly more understated than years past. Namely, the number of celebrities in attendance fell a good deal short of even last year’s affair. Where was Madonna? And Kate Moss? Not to mention Lady Gaga, who performed for fashion’s elite last night in jewel-encrusted Armani Prive catsuit, didn’t even make it down the red carpet.

As for the fashions: the most audible message was surely that hemlines have dropped. While cropped mini dresses were widely prevalent on last year’s red carpet, 2010 saw the opposite. Everywhere you looked another designer or model was walking around in a floor-length Grecian number, or something far more minimalist (read: Zoe Saldana and Diane Kruger in Calvin Klein). Hair, like hemlines, was worn long in most cases. While buns abounded, so did guests who chose to leave their locks totally untouched. Keeping in the casual vein were pantsuits and jumpers: Tina Fey sported one as did Alexa Chung, Chanel Iman and Ricky Lauren. Sadly, on fashion’s potentially most sartorially adventurous night of the year most Gala guests chose to play it exceedingly safe.