The Evolution of A$AP Rocky’s Style

The “Fashion Killa” rapper is always wearing something that has everyone talking…including recently popping out in a pair of red Mary Janes.

A$AP Rocky has always been known for his show-stopping style. From runway shows to red carpet appearances, the “Fashion Killa” rapper stays in looks that keep people talking. His style has certainly evolved over the years, explaining in a December 2024 interview with PEOPLE that since becoming dad to sons RZA (2) and Riot (1), he’s switched his style from outrageous to more understated.

Video will return here when scrolled back into view
MAGA Loses It Over Powerful Statue of a Black Woman in Times Square

“If I could define my dad style, I would say it’s way more focused. Prior to that, it was really just like absurd outfits, just mismatching everything for the sake of it. But now I think it’s a bit more quiet luxury,” he said.

Don’t get it twisted, Rocky’s dad look doesn’t mean ill-fitting jeans and old sneakers. Whether he’s wearing a simple blue suit or jeans and a tweed blazer, A$AP Rocky is undeniably a fashion risk-taker – even when his choices illicit a side-eye from the rest of us (we’re looking at you, red Mary Janes).

Let’s take a look at A$AP Rocky’s amazing style evolution.

There’s No Place Like Home

Rocky took a risk with these red patent Mary Janes. Although some gave him credit for his creativity, most people thought it was a little too weird giving Dorothy from “The Wizard of Oz” vibes.

“Someone said they’re the ‘Dorothy 3s,’” 😭 wrote one person on TikTok.

All White Everything

(Photo by Andreas Rentz/Getty Images)

Rocky looks so fresh and so clean in a white suit at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2025.

Doing Dandy

. (Photo by Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images for AWGE)

He shows off Black dandyism in the best way at his 2025 Met Gala after party

Color for Days

Photo: Getty Images Darren Gerrish/WireImage

From his shades to his shoes, Rocky was known for mixing color and pattern in his own unique way, like in this look from a 2019 trip to London for the CASA LOWE New Bond Street opening.

Batik Chic

Photo: Getty Images Christian Vierig

Somehow he even made batik print look chic walking through Paris for Fashion Week in June 2019.

Playing With Pattern

Photo: Getty Images Vittorio Zunino Celotto

Only Rocky could confidently wear a plaid shirt, jeans with colorful animal decals and socks with sandals as he did in May of 2019 for Gucci Cruise 2020 at Musei Capitolini in Rome, Italy.

A Luxe Tux

Photo: Getty Images Steve Granitz/WireImage

While most guys were wearing Black, A$AP Rocky was wearing everything else. He’s seen here in a pink Loewe tuxedo from their Fall-Winter 2019 collection at Clive Davis’ 2019 pre-GRAMMY Gala in Beverly Hills.

Masked Up

Photo: Getty Images Paras Griffin

A$AP Rocky always pushed the style envelope on stage. Here, he’s seen performing in a mask in Duluth, Georgia in 2019.

Sheer Creativity

Photo: Getty Images Jun Sato/WireImage

Rocky’s creativity was on full display, wearing a sheer lace top, a strand of pearls and silver pants in Japan in 2018 for Dior Pre-Fall 2019 Men’s Collection show.

Granny-Inspired Glam

Photo: Getty Images Gregg DeGuire/WireImage

Rocky channeled his inner glamma, wearing a colorful silk robe, head scarf and slippers arriving at the 2018 LACMA Art + Film Gala in Los Angeles in 2018.

Parents’ Night Out

Photo: MEGA/GC Images

Since becoming a dad, Rocky has started to dress the part in the coolest way. Here, he wears a navy cardigan and black pants on a date night in NYC with Rihanna in May 2024.

A Smart Blazer

Photo: Getty Images MEGA/GC Images

Rocky looks casually cool layering a blazer over a crewneck sweater and jeans while out celebrating his birthday with Rihanna in New York in 2023.

It’s All in the Details

Photo: Getty Images Jacopo M. Raule

Quiet luxury is all about the subtle details, something A$AP Rocky never misses. Here, he’s layered a print and a leather shirt under a blue pinstripe suit for the Bottega Veneta Summer 25 show during Milan Fashion Week in September 2024… and peep the red and yellow snakeskin bag!

Playing With Neutrals

NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 04: ASAP Rocky is seen on October 04, 2024 in New York City. Photo: Getty Images DAMEBK/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images

Rocky still plays with patterns, he’s just working with a more neutral color palette. We love the mix of grey and taupe he’s wearing while out and about in New York City in October 2024.

Simple and Stylish

Photo: Getty Images Lintao Zhang

Rocky proves you don’t need a lot of color to look cool while out in Shanghai, China in October 2024.

Anything But Basic Blue

Photo: Getty Images Matt Crossick/WWD

A$AP Rocky may prefer to stick to the basics these days, but he’s still always pushing the envelope with shape and structure. Here, he’s wearing an oversized Bottega Veneta jacket and pants at the London Fashion Awards on December 2, 2024.

Accessories are Everything

Photo: Getty Images Cindy Ord

When it comes to Rocky’s style, accessories are everything. He may be wearing a simple pair of black dress pants and a leather jacket at the 38th Annual Footwear News Achievement Awards in New York City on December 4, 2024, but his brown belt with the statement buckle is definitely the star of the show.

All Tied Up

LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 17: Rihanna and ASAP Rocky are seen on December 17, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Getty Images BKNY/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images

We love the way he leveled up his casual look, rocking a collared shirt and tie with his jeans and a puffer vest.

Straight From The Root

Sign up for our free daily newsletter.

Latest from The Root

2026 Actor Awards: Black Star's Best and Worst Red Carpet Looks

2026 Actor Awards: Black Star’s Best and Worst Red Carpet Looks

From Damson Idris to Sheryl Lee Ralph, check out some of the best and worst red carpet looks from our favorite Black stars! …
Best Red Carpet Looks of the 2026 NAACP Image Awards

Best Red Carpet Looks of the 2026 NAACP Image Awards

A closer look at the fashion and significance of the 57th annual ceremony featuring Salt-N-Pepa, Colman Domingo, and more …
You’ll Never Guess What 1990s Halle Berry Film Inspired Iman Shumpert to Invest in Uber

You’ll Never Guess What 1990s Halle Berry Film Inspired Iman Shumpert to Invest in Uber

Iman Shumpert opened up on ‘Club Shay Shay’ about how a ’90s Black film inspired him to invest early in Uber — and what he learned after cashing out too soon …
'Sinners' Star Jayme Lawson Breaks Silence Over BAFTA N-Word Incident

‘Sinners’ Star Jayme Lawson Breaks Silence Over BAFTA N-Word Incident

“Sinners” actress Jayme Lawson broke down why the BBC’s failure to censor the 2026 BAFTA broadcast was “careless” and lacked protection for Black talent …
Latino Man Threatens To Call Trump On Black Family For Being At Their Home

Latino Man Threatens To Call Trump On Black Family For Being At Their Home

After a Latino man harassed a Black family for moving into the neighborhood, social media is pointing out that Black folks will always be the most targeted by White Supremacy …
2026 NAACP Image Awards Best Moments and Surprises

2026 NAACP Image Awards Best Moments and Surprises

The 57th annual NAACP Image Awards went off without a hitch and was truly home to some much-needed blackity-black surprises and highlights! Let’s get into it! …
Why the 2026 Awards Season Is So Exciting for Black People

Why the 2026 Awards Season Is So Exciting for Black People

Withv the 2026 NAACP Image Awards, the Actor Awards (f.k.a. the SAG Awards) happening back to back to close out February and welcome in March, respectively, and then the Oscars on March 15—let’s take a quick look back on some of this seasons Blackest moments …
The 5 Saddest Revelations About Lamar Odom's Addiction

The 5 Saddest Revelations About Lamar Odom’s Addiction

Two-time NBA champion Lamar Odom has a storied relationship with substance addiction. He digs into it all in a new documentary …
We All Hate Tipping Culture, But Did You Know It's Rooted in Slavery?

We All Hate Tipping Culture, But Did You Know It’s Rooted in Slavery?

Wealthy American started the tipping culture in the mid-1800s, beginning a restaurant culture that remains steeped in the roots of slavery …
New Development After White NYC College Professor Makes Racist Comments on Work Zoom When She Thought She Was on Mute

New Development After White NYC College Professor Makes Racist Comments on Work Zoom When She Thought She Was on Mute

Allyson Friedman has identified herself as the college professor caught spewing racist language during a virtual council meeting …
A Full Timeline Of Singer D4vd's Mysterious Case of Celeste Rivas' Death

A Full Timeline Of Singer D4vd’s Mysterious Case of Celeste Rivas’ Death

D4vd was named a “target” in the investigation into the death of Celeste Rivas. Now, we’re catching you up on everything you might’ve missed until now …
Teyana Taylor Just Hit Another <i>Major</i> Milestone

Teyana Taylor Just Hit Another Major Milestone

Teyana Taylor keeps cementing her status in Hollywood and this year’s awards season. And this latest accomplishment from TIME Magazine is further proof of that! …
Black Folks Respond to the Clintons' Epstein Testimonies, and Phew!

Black Folks Respond to the Clintons’ Epstein Testimonies, and Phew!

After President Bill Clinton was named in the Epstein files, him and his wife were called before Congress …
Chicago Woman Smiles in Mugshot After Allegedly Killing Uber Driver During Carjacking—But It Gets Worse

Chicago Woman Smiles in Mugshot After Allegedly Killing Uber Driver During Carjacking—But It Gets Worse

Montoya Perry allegedly carjacked an Uber driver in Chicago, killing him as she fled. It’s what she allegedly did after some are calling sinister …
Black Experts Reveal Maternal Health Secrets You Need To Know

Black Experts Reveal Maternal Health Secrets You Need To Know

Exclusive: Experts At 5th Annual Day of Reckoning Conference in Birmingham Reveal Maternal Health Secrets You Must Know …
Expert Breaks Down How Trump Has Skated the Law for His MAGA Agenda in His Second Term

Expert Breaks Down How Trump Has Skated the Law for His MAGA Agenda in His Second Term

A foreign policy expert explains the consequences of institutions failing to check Trump as he celebrates one year in office …
A Nebraska Doctor Opens Her Home and Her Heart to a Black Child in Need

A Nebraska Doctor Opens Her Home and Her Heart to a Black Child in Need

A Nebraska anesthesiologist went out of her way to help a patient with a congenital heart condition …
Why Gov. Gavin Newsom's Latest Statements Could Be His Political Suicide

Why Gov. Gavin Newsom’s Latest Statements Could Be His Political Suicide

Gavin Newsom’s recent remarks upset quite a few folks, including many liberals accusing the governor of spewing Republican talking points …
Lupita Nyong'o Wants to Talk About Uterine Fibroids, Here's Why We Should Listen

Lupita Nyong’o Wants to Talk About Uterine Fibroids, Here’s Why We Should Listen

Actress Lupita Nyong’o is sharing her personal experience to raise awareness around the issue of fibroids in women …
More Devastating News About Black Hair Extensions and  Health Risks

More Devastating News About Black Hair Extensions and Health Risks

Braid wearers assume human hair and “non-toxic” synthetic braiding hair are safe options, but a Consumer Reports study showed that they, too, come with risk …