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
Real Photos of Slaves Released After 15-Year Legal Battle with Harvard

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

Photo: L: Getty Images, R: YouTube

Check Out Black Celebrity Influencer Hannah Bronfman’s Fly NYC Pad

Lifestyle influencer Hannah Bronfman and her husband Brendan Fallis turned a former warehouse space into a warm NoHo loft for their family …
The Most Handsome & Brilliant Black Men From Every Era

The Most Handsome & Brilliant Black Men From Every Era

From Barack Obama to Kendrick Lamar, these talented and attractive men wowed society with both their looks and contributions to the world. Let’s take a look! …
David Bowie's Daughter Reveals Heartbreak of Being in Treatment When He Died

David Bowie’s Daughter Reveals Heartbreak of Being in Treatment When He Died

Alexandrua ‘Lexi’ Jones, daughter of Iman and David Bowie is getting candid with her fans and followers, shedding light on a seriously troubled time in her teen years …
Black Internet Responds to Alex Cross' Romance With a White Woman in the New 'Cross' Season

Black Internet Responds to Alex Cross’ Romance With a White Woman in the New ‘Cross’ Season

Aldis Hodge is back as Detective Alex Cross on Prime Video’s hit show ‘Cross.’ But this new seasons have fans speaking out for a funny yet interesting reason …
Black Woman's Essay on Modern Dating Is Lighting Up The Comments Section

Black Woman’s Essay on Modern Dating Is Lighting Up The Comments Section

A Black woman shared her take on dating Black men in 2026, and people can’t stop talking about it …
Candace Owens Has MAGA <i>Furious</i> After Announcing Series Investigating Charlie Kirk's Widow

Candace Owens Has MAGA Furious After Announcing Series Investigating Charlie Kirk’s Widow

After launching a new series investigating Erika Kirk, Candace Owens is getting dragged by MAGA sick and tired of all of the drama …
A North Carolina 3-Year-Old Was Hot Glued to a Chair. Now, Their Teacher Learns Her Fate

A North Carolina 3-Year-Old Was Hot Glued to a Chair. Now, Their Teacher Learns Her Fate

After a three-year-old at a Charlotte suburb daycare wouldn’t sit still, teacher Lashawna Williams did the unthinkable. Now, she just learned her fate …
This Former Miami Mayor Was a Successful Immigrant -- But the Government Says He Led a Double Life

This Former Miami Mayor Was a Successful Immigrant — But the Government Says He Led a Double Life

All eyes are on one former North Miami mayor after a jaw-dropping federal lawsuit is calling his citizenship and marriage status into question …
Marla Gibbs is Spilling Major Tea in Her New Memoir, Here Are 5 Things You Didn’t Know

Marla Gibbs is Spilling Major Tea in Her New Memoir, Here Are 5 Things You Didn’t Know

At 94 years young, Marla Gibbs is out with a memoir, detailing her unconventional road to stardom. We’re looking at 5 things you didn’t know about the actress …
Are the $2,000 Tariff Refunds Trump Promised <i>Actually</i> Coming?

Are the $2,000 Tariff Refunds Trump Promised Actually Coming?

Pressure is mounting from business owners, working-class Americans and Democrats for Trump to give a full tariff refund as he promised …
Why White Women Are Being Dragged After Trump’s State of the Union Address Over DEI

Why White Women Are Being Dragged After Trump’s State of the Union Address Over DEI

White women who stood to their feet, applauding the “end” of DEI are facing backlash, for good reason …
NFL Star Shares Important, Heartbreaking Message Following Fellow Player's Suicide

NFL Star Shares Important, Heartbreaking Message Following Fellow Player’s Suicide

NFL star A.J. Brown is opening up about mental health and encouraging his fellow football players and fans, by extension, to get the help they need …
Google Sends Out News Alert With N-Word and, Uh, Black Twitter is <i>Through</i>

Google Sends Out News Alert With N-Word and, Uh, Black Twitter is Through

As the internet was still reeling from the N-word incident at the 2026 BAFTAs, Google has now unintentionally added more fuel to the fire! Let’s get into it …
Black Leaders React to Trump's State of the Union

Black Leaders React to Trump’s State of the Union

Hakeem Jeffries, Justin J. Pearson, Scott Colom, Mandela Barnes and more Black leaders had plenty of thoughts after Trump’s State of the Union address …
Justin J. Pearson on What the State of the Union Address Really Means for Black Folks

Justin J. Pearson on What the State of the Union Address Really Means for Black Folks

Tenn. politician Justin J. Pearson broke down exactly what all Black folks should take away from Trump’s State of the Union address on Feb. 24 …
Why J. Cole's "Everyman" Tour Stunt Is Getting Old

Why J. Cole’s “Everyman” Tour Stunt Is Getting Old

​The superstar rapper has been driving around the country selling CDs out of the trunk of his used Honda Civic …
It's Time For Black People to Consider Wealth Beyond Home Ownership

It’s Time For Black People to Consider Wealth Beyond Home Ownership

Black people have always leaned toward home ownership but the changing housing landscape should have us thinking about other ways to obtaining equity …
Why Black Folks Are <i>Always</i> Expected to Extend Grace When No One Else Will

Why Black Folks Are Always Expected to Extend Grace When No One Else Will

Black folks are being asked to “turn the other cheek” after the BAFTA scandal, but given the deep history of forcing Black people to submit, the wound is still too fresh …
EXCLUSIVE: NAACP President Derrick Johnson Explains His Expectations for State of the Union and What's at Stake for Black Voters

EXCLUSIVE: NAACP President Derrick Johnson Explains His Expectations for State of the Union and What’s at Stake for Black Voters

The Root spoke to NAACP President Derrick Johnson about why he has “no expectations” for Trump’s State of the Union address …
How the Barbz Are Responding to Nicki Minaj Going Full MAGA

How the Barbz Are Responding to Nicki Minaj Going Full MAGA

Following her MAGA events, Nicki Minaj has the Barbz divided with some stuck between sticking beside their Queen or stepping away…for good …