Cardi B Killed it At the Met Gala, Here’s Other Fly Red Carpet Looks from Her

From the Grammys to the MTV VMAs to Paris Fashion Week to the Met Gala, Cardi B always brings something unique to the red carpet.

When it comes to her fashion, Cardi B is never predictable. The “WAP” rapper likes to go the unexpected route. She effortlessly blends classic Hollywood glam into her sex symbol style. It’s been a lot of fun to watch her fashion journey as her career has evolved and grown. She’s gone from “Bodak Yellow” breakout to Met Gala superstar.

Video will return here when scrolled back into view
Wayne Brady and Maile Brady Tell Us Who Choreographs Their Fun TikTok Dances

Cardi is a beautiful woman who’s confident in her body and sexuality. Whether you like her fashion choices or not, it’s always clear that these are her choices. She’s not pretending to be anyone or anything else on the red carpet. Even when she’s at her most glamorous, she’s still just Cardi from the Bronx. She never shies away from her humble beginnings, she celebrates them.

Fresh off another triumphant appearance at the Met Gala and as she gears up for the long-awaited release of her new album, we need to take a moment and showcase Cardi B’s most memorable looks.

2024 Met Gala

Photo: Getty Images Dia Dipasupil

Cardi definitely looks like the fairy tale villain you root for in this dramatic gown.

2024 Vanity Fair Oscars Party

Photo: Getty Images Amy Sussman

The “WAP” artist was feeling her old Hollywood vibe with this classic yet sexy look.

Balenciaga Fall ‘24 Show

Photo: Getty Images Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Balenciaga

When Cardi goes into fashion week mode, she’s unstoppable. No one rolls out the various cities better.

Fendi Couture Fall/Winter 2023/2024 Show

Photo: Getty Images Jacopo M. Raule/Getty Images for Fendi

Am I the only one who thinks she looks like a character from classic literature here?

2023 Grammys

Photo: Getty Images Amy Sussman

What makes Cardi so great on the red carpet is that she does something totally different for every event, but never loses sight of her own personal style and personality.

2023 MTV VMAs

Photo: Getty Images Dimitrios Kambouris

Cardi is an expert at delivering sex appeal without trying way too hard and venturing into “extra” territory.

2023 Met Gala

Photo: Getty Images Theo Wargo

Even when she does something simple, it’s a stunning work of art.

2023 Vanity Fair Oscars Party

Photo: Getty Images Jon Kopaloff

She’s definitely giving off “devil on your shoulder” vibes with this gorgeous red gown.

2022 Met Gala

Photo: Getty Images Mike Coppola

Cardi is a woman who knows how to find the textures, colors and patterns that match her skin perfectly.

2021 American Music Awards

Photo: Getty Images Amy Sussman

The “Invasion of Privacy” artist was hosting the show, so you knew she was bringing something special. She certainly went for memorable and unexpected with this creative look.

2019 Met Gala

Photo: Getty Images Neilson Barnard

Anyone else would’ve been swallowed up by this huge gown. But Cardi stands out amongst all the fabric and feathers.

2019 MTV VMAs

Photo: Getty Images Mike Coppola

While this isn’t her most interesting look, it shows her potential to become a fashion icon.

2019 Swisher Sweets Awards

Photo: Getty Images Jean Baptiste Lacroix

Don’t ever discount how Cardi uses her various hair colors to match the overall aesthetic of her look.

2018 MTV VMAs

Photo: Getty Images Jamie McCarthy

The way she’s giving off “young Dorothy Dandridge” vibes here, we knew we were being introduced to someone special.

2018 Met Gala

Photo: Getty Images Neilson Barnard

The theme was “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion & The Catholic Imagination” and Cardi absolutely understood the assignment.

Straight From The Root

Sign up for our free daily newsletter.

Latest from The Root

The Best Black Fashion at The iHeartRadio Music Awards

The Best Black Fashion at The iHeartRadio Music Awards

The best Black fashion we saw at the iHeartRadio Music Awards …
A Peek at Mariah Carey's Fly Real Estate Portfolio, In Honor of Her Birthday

A Peek at Mariah Carey’s Fly Real Estate Portfolio, In Honor of Her Birthday

In celebration of Mariah Carey’s 56th birthday, let’s take a peek inside the many homes she’s owned over the years! …
They Said Comedy Was Dead. Druski Didn't Get The Memo.

They Said Comedy Was Dead. Druski Didn’t Get The Memo.

Druski is not avoiding controversy. He just understands the culture well enough to get it right and build an audience of millions …
Former Bachelorette Rachel Lindsay Weighs in on the Show's Current Scandal

Former Bachelorette Rachel Lindsay Weighs in on the Show’s Current Scandal

Former Bachelorette Rachel Lindsay speaks out on the current season’s major scandal. Let’s break it down …
A Running List of Everything President Trump Is Planning to Name After Himself

A Running List of Everything President Trump Is Planning to Name After Himself

From $100 bills with Trump’s signature on it to renaming several buildings in his honor, here’s everything President Trump has named or renamed after himself …
State Comptroller Targeted More than 15,000 Businesses Owned by Women & People of Color — And It Wasn’t an Accident

State Comptroller Targeted More than 15,000 Businesses Owned by Women & People of Color — And It Wasn’t an Accident

Texas businesses owned by women and people of color just filed a landmark lawsuit against the State …
Black Women Have Proven Their Worth. So Why Are They Being Targeted?

Black Women Have Proven Their Worth. So Why Are They Being Targeted?

Despite historic gains in degrees and entrepreneurship, nearly 600,000 Black women were “economically sidelined” in 2025 alone, according to Fortune. Credentials and hard work have not shielded them from glaring pay gaps, bias or stalled advancement …
Here's a Full Timeline of Trump's Years-Long Beef with AG Letitia James

Here’s a Full Timeline of Trump’s Years-Long Beef with AG Letitia James

If you’re not caught up with the latest beef between Trump and Letitia James, don’t worry. We have you covered with everything to know since 2022 …
HBCU Alumni Score Higher in Brain Health Than PWI Peers, New Study Finds

HBCU Alumni Score Higher in Brain Health Than PWI Peers, New Study Finds

A new study shows that the HBCU experience may actually be connected to a lifetime of well-being …
Rihanna Gives Firsthand Account of Home Shooting Incident

Rihanna Gives Firsthand Account of Home Shooting Incident

New details from Rihanna are emerging about her unfortunate home shooting from Let’s get into it …
Druski Goes Viral With Hilarious Skit on 'Conservative Women in America'

Druski Goes Viral With Hilarious Skit on ‘Conservative Women in America’

Fan-favorite comedian Druski transforms into a satirical “Christian conservative” character, sparking millions of views and a heated online debate …
82 and Fabulous: Diana Ross's Style Through the Years

82 and Fabulous: Diana Ross’s Style Through the Years

As ‘The Boss’ turns another year older, we thought it’d be fitting to revel in the fabulous fashions of the legendary singer over the years. Let’s take a look! …
TikToker Finds Jill Scott’s Family Photos at Goodwill and Launches Mission to Return Them

TikToker Finds Jill Scott’s Family Photos at Goodwill and Launches Mission to Return Them

After stumbling across Jill Scott’s family photos in Goodwill, one TikToker user has returned the precious memories back to the singer …
New Details In Kandi Burruss Divorce From Todd Tucker

New Details In Kandi Burruss Divorce From Todd Tucker

The divorce settlement details between ‘RHOA’ star Kandi Burruss and ex Todd Tucker have been released. Let’s take a look! …
Verzuz, Once Beloved, Is Now Dead. We Just Haven’t Buried It Yet.

Verzuz, Once Beloved, Is Now Dead. We Just Haven’t Buried It Yet.

Professor: It gave us everything we needed in 2020 and nothing we need now …
Why Serena Williams' Look in Her Latest Social Media Post Has Her Black Fans Going Off

Why Serena Williams’ Look in Her Latest Social Media Post Has Her Black Fans Going Off

Serena Williams has unfortunately reignited more talks of potential skin bleaching thank to new posts on social media. And folks online are not happy! …
Lamar Odom's Ex Liza Morales Reveals the Tragedy That Ended Their Relationship

Lamar Odom’s Ex Liza Morales Reveals the Tragedy That Ended Their Relationship

While many know NBA star Lamar Odom for his famous relationship with Khloe Kardashian, his teenage sweetheart is finally opening up about their dynamic …
Tank vs. Tyrese: The Ultimate R&B Playlist for the 'Verzuz' Battle

Tank vs. Tyrese: The Ultimate R&B Playlist for the ‘Verzuz’ Battle

“Verzuz” is back, y’all! From “Sweet Lady” to “When We,” Tank and Tyrese are bringing all their hits to the stage. We curated the best playlist to get you ready to sing and slow dance for the show …
Black People Are Asking Why We Didn't Know About Mamdani’s Wife’s N-Word Tweets

Black People Are Asking Why We Didn’t Know About Mamdani’s Wife’s N-Word Tweets

Black folks are pissed after Zohran Mamdani’s wife’s old tweets resurfaced, painting her in a problematic light within the Black community …
The Numbers Don't Lie—Black Women Are Leading and It Has Nothing to Do With Magic

The Numbers Don’t Lie—Black Women Are Leading and It Has Nothing to Do With Magic

From the C-suite to entrepreneurship, Black women have had a record-breaking rise in recent years, even as they battle an uneven playing field …