Name some of the best red carpet looks in the past decade, and Cardi B has to be on that list. In addition to being an important rapper (and quite the moneymaker), she has the kind of over-the-top style that delights both awards planning committees and haute couture fashion houses alike. In addition to multiple appearances at top ceremonies like the Grammys, Oscar party, and Met Gala, she's also been a regular at Paris Fashion Week for the past couple of years.
Often hand in hand with her partner Offset in equally impressive couture style, the two make the most of their red carpet appearances in both posing and PDA. Cardi B is constantly looking for ways to innovate and outdo herself (if you love her fashion, you should follow her primary stylist, Kollin Carter), so this fashion history is truly a wild ride. She's been doing over-the-top looks since her debut at the Met Gala, and it's only been more amazing from there.
Keep scrolling for 24 of the most iconic styles Cardi B has ever worn.
August 2017: MTV Video Music Awards
Even in the early days of her meteoric rise to fame, Cardi B had a cool aesthetic and a passion for couture looks. This custom Christian Siriano is a modernized Madonna aesthetic, complete with a pointy corset. If you're gonna emulate someone, let it be the Queen of Music herself.
January 2018: 60th Annual Grammy Awards
This Ashi Studio design featuring a high-low hem paired perfectly with Christian Louboutin shoes—and her huge, 8-carat engagement ring from Offset, obviously. Get ready, because this is just the start of Cardi B's love of volume.
May 2018: 'Heavenly Bodies' Met Gala
Cardi B's Met Gala debut (while pregnant, no big deal) was this intricate, gorgeous Moschino number—with a matching headdress. Perfect for the whole "Catholic Imagination" theme.
February 2019: 61st Annual Grammy Awards
Cardi B looks like she's quite literally erupting out of her own outfit, Birth of Venus style. This dramatic clamshell ensemble was designed by Mugler and inspired...a lot of fun Twitter commentary (people thought she looked like a coffee filter!).
May 2019: Billboard Music Awards
Take Jasmine from Aladdin and then add major style, and you've got Cardi B's homage to Cher thanks to this Moschino by Jeremy Scott skirt and jewel-encrusted top.
May 2019: 'Camp: Notes On Fashion' Met Gala
It's a huge dress. It's basically a duvet. It's a dress that needed 10 people to wrangle the train! This Thom Browne ensemble rivals some of the biggest, best outfits we've ever seen at a Met Gala.
September 2019: Rihanna's 5th Annual Diamond Ball
This isn't the first time Cardi B wore a big floofy dress to Rihanna's Diamond Ball, but this princess-pink number, from Georges Hobeika's Couture FW19/20 collection, is an absolute standout.
January 2020: Pre-Grammy Gala
Also known as "the dress Cardi B kept popping out of," this Nicolas Jebran dress was daring, to say the least. Offset was on hand to help his wife with any wardrobe malfunctions.
September 2021: Thierry Mugler: Couturissime Photocall
This over-the-top, fabulous Mugler look originates from the Fall 1995 Haute Couture collection. Cardi B, who had given birth a few months prior, called herself a "Mugler Mami."
September 2021: Paris Fashion Week
Ok, this might not be the red carpet per se (she was there for a fitting for the runway), but come on. This studded Balenciaga outerwear could probably literally cut someone. This was one of just a few Paris Fashion Week outfits.
October 2021: Balenciaga Spring/Summer 2022 Show
Including her official Balenciaga runway look, which was printed with magazine covers. (Offset modeled in the show as well, FYI.)
October 2021: Kate Moss High Jewelry Fashion Show
The first of two Richard Quinn looks, Cardi B is in head-to-toe purple, including headband and sunglasses. Here she was technically at an event, but a similar look made for streetwear as well.
October 2021: Place Vendome in Paris
No biggie, just strolling through the Place Vendôme in a Richard Quinn pantsuit and matching head ruff! (Yes, people absolutely made Kermit the Frog jokes.)
November 2021: American Music Awards Red Carpet
To roll out the red carpet, Cardi B showed up in a black velvet Christian Siriano gown that would honestly be stunning enough on its own. But of course, she had to amp up her actual event look.
November 2021: American Music Awards
Yes, beneath this mask is Cardi! The rapper actually wore eight outfits (she was hosting, after all), but this custom Schiaparelli by Daniel Roseberry basically made her a living statue.
May 2022: 'America: An Anthology of Fashion' Met Gala
This Atelier Versace dress may not have had the trains that some of her previous Met Gala dresses had, but that doesn't mean it's not impressive: According to the brand, a mile of gold chains was used to make the dress.
February 2023: 65th Grammy Awards
This sculptural hooded dress was from Gaurav Gupta’s spring 2023 couture collection—even though Cardi B wasn't up for an award (she presented in chainmail, no big deal), she just had to show up nailing her look.
March 2023: Vanity Fair Oscar Party
This Robert Wun dress would be gorgeous enough on its own, but the old Hollywood-inspired train and veil really take it over the top.
May 2023: 'Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty' Met Gala
No biggie, but this is one of four gowns that Cardi B wore to the 2023 Met Gala. This Chenpeng Studio gown included an homage to Karl Lagerfeld via the collar and tie.
May 2023: 'Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty' Met Gala
Before the event started, she left her hotel in this Miss Sohee dress and architectural ruff/headpiece. Only Cardi would have an "in transit" couture look as amazing as this.
July 2023: Guarav Gupta Fall/Winter 2023/2024 Show
During a multi-event run at Paris Fashion Week, Cardi B showed up to the Guarav Gupta show in one of his lime green creations, including a matching hood (she must have been so cozy!).
July 2023: Balenciaga Fall/Winter 2023/2024 Show
Not to be outdone, Cardi B's next look was all white fluff: a shawl-jacket over top of an all-black sequined dress with high, high heels (she then changed into a bodysuit later.)
July 2023: Schiaparelli Fall/Winter 2023/2024 Show
From this animal-inspired collection, Cardi wore a cape that made her look like a literal bird (it's actually wool tendrils) over a velvet gown with gold beading.
September 2023: MTV Video Music Awards
Always one to continue innovating, Cardi B's dress is made of...wait for it...hair clips and pearls! This custom Dilara Findikoglu piece is just the latest in her ever-evolving style. And we're sure there'll be many more looks to come.