Beyonce Knowles was a contender for worst dressed at the Met Costume Institute Gala in New York on Monday night.

The usually stylish singer donned a Givenchy Haute Couture gown for the occasion - which this year celebrated Miuccia Prada and Elsa Schiaparelli - but the sequinned, feathered disaster failed to impress as she arrived at the event at the city's Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Although the figure hugging lace bodysuit with purple and black feathered train showed Beyonce has gotten back into shape since giving birth to daughter Blue Ivy in January, the bum baring ensemble couldn't compete with the other gowns on show.

Metallics were a popular choice with newly-married Carey Mulligan making her first public appearance since her wedding in a stunning Prada ensemble, while Jessica Alba and Cameron Diaz glowed in Michael Kors and Stella McCartney respectively. Victoria's Secret model Karolina Kurkova wowed in a full length backless gold creation and matching turban, designed by Rachel Zoe while Camilla Belle wore a stunning Ralph Lauren number. However, Gwyneth Paltrow was lucky not to suffer a wardrobe malfunction in her Prada halterneck minidress which showed off plenty of skin.