Janelle Monáe’s Best Off-the-Wall Fashion Moments

As the ‘Age of Pleasure’ singer celebrates her 39th birthday, let’s take a minute to bask in her beautiful looks!

Photo: AP Dominic Chan / Sipa USA

When it comes to conversations about supremely fashionable figures in the entertainment industry, there’s no true talk unless we bring up Janelle Monáe.

Video will return here when scrolled back into view
Trump’s Tariffs Might Stick Around. What Should We Buy Now?

The “Float” singer know how to create signature looks (looking at you, various black, white and red combos), and she steps out in uniquely fly and off-the-wall outfits. She’s arguably the only one who could execute her versatile array of ensembles as flawlessly as she does. Now, that’s not to say we all can’t take some style cues from her, even if our personal fashion senses sway a bit safer. But nobody’s stepping the way Monáe does every time she hits a red carpet or special function.

If you needed further proof of that, look no further than our roundup of some of her best looks! Let’s get into it…

2024 Britain Glastonbury Music Festival Day Three

Janelle Monáe performs during the Glastonbury Festival in Worthy Farm, Somerset, England, Sunday, June 30, 2024. Photo: AP Scott A Garfitt/Invision/AP

2024 Met Gala

Janelle Monáe departs The Mark Hotel prior to attending The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion” on Monday, May 6, 2024, in New York. Photo: AP CJ Rivera/Invision/AP

The Fashion Trust U.S Awards

Janelle Monáe arrives at The Fashion Trust U.S Awards 2024 held at a private residency in Beverly Hills, CA on Tuesday, April 9 , 2024. Photo: AP Juan Pablo Rico/Sipa USA

13th Annual NFL Honors 2024

Janelle Monáe on the red carpet at the 13th annual NFL Honors presented by Invisalign held at Resorts World Theatre in las Vegas, Nevada. Picture date: Thursday February 8, 2024. Photo: AP AP Images

66th Annual Grammy Awards 2024

Janelle Monáe arrives at the 66th annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024, in Los Angeles. Photo: AP Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP

fvgdf

dvgfdgd

66th Annual Pre-Grammy Gala 2024

Janelle Monáe arrives at the Pre-Grammy Gala on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024, at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif. Photo: AP Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP

Harper’s Bazaar Women of the Year 2023

Janelle Monáe who won the Musician of the Year Award at the Harper’s Bazaar Women of the Year 2023 awards at Claridges, London. Picture date: Tuesday November 7, 2023. Photo: AP AP Images

2023 Met Gala

Janelle Monáe attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty” exhibition on Monday, May 1, 2023, in New York. Photo: AP Evan Agostini/Invision/AP

95th Academy Awards 2023

Janelle Monáe walking on the red carpet at the The 95th Academy Awards held by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, CA on March 12, 2023. Photo: Getty Images Sthanlee B. Mirador/Sipa USA

American Black Film Festival (ABFF) Honors 2023

Janelle Monáe arrives at the American Black Film Festival Honors on Sunday, March 5, 2023, at 1 Hotel in West Hollywood, Calif. Photo: Getty Images Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP

54th NAACP Image Awards 2023

Janelle Monáe arrives at The 54th NAACP Image Awards held at The Pasadena Civic Auditorium in Pasadena, CA on Saturday, February 25, 2023. Photo: AP Juan Pablo Rico/Sipa USA

BAFTA Tea Party 2023

Janelle Monáe at the BAFTA Tea Party held at the Four Seasons on January 14, 2023 in Los Angele, CA. Photo: AP KGC-502/STAR MAX/IPx

National Board of Review Awards Gala 2023

Janelle Monáe attends the National Board of Review Awards Gala at Cipriani 42nd Street on Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, in New York. Photo: AP Evan Agostini/Invision/AP

THR’s Women in Entertainment Gala 2023

Janelle Monáe arrives at The Hollywood Reporter’s Women in Entertainment Gala on Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2022, at Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles. Photo: AP Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP

Britain LFF Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery Red Carpet 2022

Janelle Monáe poses for photographers upon arrival for the premiere of the film ‘Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery’ and the closing evening of the 2022 London Film Festival in London, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022. Photo: AP Scott Garfitt/Invision/AP

CFDA Fashion Awards 2022

Janelle Monáe at the CFDA Fashion Awards on November 7, 2022 in New York City. Photo: AP Patricia Schlein/STAR MAX/IPx

Straight From The Root

Sign up for our free daily newsletter.

Latest from The Root

These Ain’t Your Grandma’s MuuMuus

These Ain’t Your Grandma’s MuuMuus

As the Mrs. Roper trend takes over TikTok, we’re here to make sure your muumuu game is tight …
The Most Fabulous Street Styles From Paris Fashion Week

The Most Fabulous Street Styles From Paris Fashion Week

We’re checking out some of the best fashion on display in the City of Lights during Paris Fashion Week …
When ICE Allegedly Uses Children as Bait, There Is No Moral Defense...

When ICE Allegedly Uses Children as Bait, There Is No Moral Defense…

When ICE agents allegedly begins to use children as leverage, the debate is no longer about policy. It is about humanity …
Why Is Delroy Lindo Getting His First Oscar Nomination At 73? The Answer Is Both Simple And Complex.

Why Is Delroy Lindo Getting His First Oscar Nomination At 73? The Answer Is Both Simple And Complex.

Delroy Lindo’s “Sinners” performance was astounding! But with 40 films under his belt at 73 years old, he’s just now receiving his FIRST Oscar nomination …
Why The Feds Are Now Looking for Gervonta Davis

Why The Feds Are Now Looking for Gervonta Davis

An arrest warrant has been issued for Gervonta “Tank” Davis. Having failed to surrender, he is now sought by the U.S. Marshals as a fugitive …
Athletes Who Became More Successful Than Their Professional Athlete Fathers!

Athletes Who Became More Successful Than Their Professional Athlete Fathers!

Some fathers passed down their athletic genes to their children, and some of their sons were SO good, they enjoyed even more success than their dad! …
From Karamo Brown to Garcelle Beauvais: Why Black Stars Are Walking Away From Toxic, All-White Work Environments

From Karamo Brown to Garcelle Beauvais: Why Black Stars Are Walking Away From Toxic, All-White Work Environments

By skipping the final “Queer Eye” press run, Karamo Brown taught viewers a valuable lesson about standing up to mistreatment in white-led spaces …
Civil Rights Lawyer: How a KKK Law is Being Used to Silence Two Black Women in Minneapolis

Civil Rights Lawyer: How a KKK Law is Being Used to Silence Two Black Women in Minneapolis

After a viral, nonviolent protest, federal authorities weaponized two civil rights laws to target prominent Black activists …
Black Texas Teen <i>Finally</i> Exonerated 70 Years Later for a White Woman's Murder He Didn't Commit

Black Texas Teen Finally Exonerated 70 Years Later for a White Woman’s Murder He Didn’t Commit

Tommy Lee Walker of Texas was just 19 years old when he was executed for raping and murdering a white woman. 70 years later, he’s been exonerated …
Cam'ron Told His Ex On-Air That She Was a 'Bad Investment,' and Social Media is Divided

Cam’ron Told His Ex On-Air That She Was a ‘Bad Investment,’ and Social Media is Divided

Rapper Cam’ron is once again making waves on social media for his viewpoints. Let’s break down why! …
Pam Grier Says She Saw Lynched Bodies— and the Internet is Fighting Over Whether to Believe Her

Pam Grier Says She Saw Lynched Bodies— and the Internet is Fighting Over Whether to Believe Her

Actress Pam Grier is facing criticism from some who are calling BS on her account of witnessing lynched Black bodies in her Ohio home town …
Ryan Coogler, Michael B. Jordan and 'Sinners' Crew Respond to Historic 2026 Oscar Nominations

Ryan Coogler, Michael B. Jordan and ‘Sinners’ Crew Respond to Historic 2026 Oscar Nominations

Ryan Coogler, Michael B. Jordan, Raphael Saadiq and more of the ‘Sinners’ artists are speaking out about their monumental feat! …
Don Lemon Just Scored a Huge Win in His Battle With the DOJ

Don Lemon Just Scored a Huge Win in His Battle With the DOJ

Don Lemon was at risk of legal trouble by the Department of Justice for reporting on ICE protests in Minnesota …
Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor Explains Why She Doesn't Believe in the Bible

Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor Explains Why She Doesn’t Believe in the Bible

Oscar-nominee Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor is opening up like never before, revealing her perspective on the Bible. And it’s definitely sparking some swift reactions! …
A$AP Rocky Finally Breaks Down What the Beef With Drake Is Really All About

A$AP Rocky Finally Breaks Down What the Beef With Drake Is Really All About

For everyone still unclear about why A$AP Rocky and Drake are really beefing, the Harlem rapper explained it all during an interview with Ebro …
The Movie Costume Designs That Landed Ruth E. Carter Her Record Oscar Nominations!

The Movie Costume Designs That Landed Ruth E. Carter Her Record Oscar Nominations!

Ruth E. Carter just became the most-nominated Black woman in Oscar history. Here are the films that helped her get there …
New Report Shows Murders, Violent Crime Down in 40 Cities. Here's What That Means

New Report Shows Murders, Violent Crime Down in 40 Cities. Here’s What That Means

As crime rates reach historic lows in the U.S., politicians and community members are trying to isolate exactly why …
Mary J. Blige Explains Why She Was 'Scared' to Meet Aretha Franklin

Mary J. Blige Explains Why She Was ‘Scared’ to Meet Aretha Franklin

Mary J. Blige is getting transparent about the experience she had working with the late Aretha Franklin and her story is something else! …
53 Years After <i>Roe v. Wade</i>, Black Women in the South Still Suffer the Most Without It

53 Years After Roe v. Wade, Black Women in the South Still Suffer the Most Without It

On the 53rd anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision, health concerns for Black women are still the most pressing but the most under funded and forgotten …
He Was the Youngest Freedom Rider, Now He's Sharing His Story at a Mississippi Museum

He Was the Youngest Freedom Rider, Now He’s Sharing His Story at a Mississippi Museum

Hezekiah Watkins— the youngest Freedom Rider—is still here to share his harrowing journey from a death row cell to the history books …