STYLE LESSONS ON BRINGING THE DRAMA WITH CARDI B

Finally. Cardi B’s second studio album Am I The Drama? has arrived, and we’re already obsessed with it. Aside from being one of the best rappers to exist, Cardi’s also established herself as fashion’s most exciting muse. From all her iconic Mugler appearances to her frow couture week looks, she’s a chameleon – able to morph into anything and anyone she feels like with the power of clothing, Tokyo Stylez’s shears and her signature dgaf attitude. In celebration of her new album's release, sit down for a masterclass from the professor of dramatic dressing herself – and add these styles to your A/W wardrobe.

Want to show that you know fashion? Take a page out of Cardi B’s book and step out in leopard print. While Cardi’s showed off her animal print-prowess in snakeskin and zebra print before, she unlocks new levels of fierce whenever leopard’s in the conversation – exactly why her WAP music video outfit had jaws on the floor. While Cardi’s burlesque-inspired bodysuit and flowing cinched jacket is one-of-a-kind, the same attitude can be channelled with co-ords, maxi dresses and even accessories wrapped in this iconic print.

 

GET THE LOOK:
Ruched & Ready Too Good bodycon maxi dress in leopard, £70
47 Brand NY Yankees clean up cap in all over washed leopard, £40
AllSaints Mabel wool blend coat in leopard, £399
I.AM.GIA Blare co-ord in leopard, £124

We said Cardi is a fashion chameleon – and this grungy red carpet look is all the proof you need. Step aside, CBA (classic black dress), there’s a new main character in town: the EBA (embellished black dress). Whether black is your shade of choice or not, dresses bedazzled in sequins, crystals, tassels and embroidery will ensure the spotlight is on you, wherever you are. Amp up your look with 90s-style makeup: Cardi’s grey eyeshadow, thin brows and lined lips are worth copying this A/W.

 

GET THE LOOK:
ARRANGE beaded fringe plunge cowl maxi dress in olive, £250
Rare London velvet sequin cross back side slit maxi dress in forest green, £79
Oh Polly Ianthe embellished halterneck gown in lavender pink, £78
ARRANGE geo cut work embellished high neck column maxi dress in silver, £250

Cardi’s motto when it comes to fashion is ‘big and bold’ – applicable to everything from her hairstyles to her faux fur coats. Thin coats simply don’t cut it anymore – full, voluminous pieces with layers upon layers of plush, soft fuzziness are the move – especially in natural autumn-ready tones like tan, chocolate brown and dusty beige. But full faux-fur coats aren’t all you should be adding to your wardrobe – trench coats accented with faux-fur sleeves and collars are just as standout, and more everyday-friendly.

 

GET THE LOOK:
ASOS DESIGN belted faux fur coat in black, £70
ASOS DESIGN faux fur sheepskin coat in dusty pink, £90
Azalea Wang Kaya trench coat with faux fur trim in brown faux leather, £100
Topshop faux fur collarless mid length coat in white stripe, £100

We told you first: goth girl autumn is here, and Cardi – alongside Jenna Ortega and Mia Goth – is among the A-listers bringing this aesthetic to fashion’s forefront. Goth is all about subverting norms with black and unexpected styles, and the trend can be distilled into your party-season wardrobe with help from a few essentials: fishnet underlayers, lots of lace, chunky boots and loud prints. Would this be a Cardi B article if we didn’t fangirl over her glam? This vampy beat is everything.

 

GET THE LOOK:
Ann Summers giant fishnet tights in black, £10
ASOS DESIGN cowl neck co-ord corset top in check, £58
AWARE sheer stretchy lace long sleeve top in black, £25
SEQWL Wide Fit Fuzzy chunky chelsea boots in black, £30

Cardi’s Mugler dresses have always been otherworldly (like when she embodied Botticelli’s Venus at the 2019 Grammys) and this architectural number is no different. It’s high-hipped and angular, with long, boxy shoulders and a sculptural plunging neckline – a cyberpunk-drenched, futuristic take on maximalism. Add a dose of sculptural construction into your 9-5 wardrobe – think voluminous trench coats in primary colours, rounded barrel-leg jeans and waist-cinching co-ords for that luxurious, high-fashion finish.

 

GET THE LOOK:
ARKET wool belted midaxi coat with sculptural sleeves in red, £279
ARRANGE pleat waist short sleeve top and pleat waist tailored wide leg trouser in black, £130
ARRANGE Sydney denim barrel leg jean in 90's light wash blue, £65
ASOS DESIGN structured long sleeve bardot mini dress with seam detailing in black, £60

If you didn’t tick green eyeshadow off your makeup to-do list during last year’s BRAT takeover, let Cardi’s Met Gala look encourage you to take the plunge. You can rely on this head-turning glam for rave season and festive season, thanks to green’s underrated versatility. Softening up the look with pink blush and a nude lip is easy when you’ve got By Terry icons; the Hydra-Balm lipstick in Nudissimo and Brightening CC palette in Sunny Flash double as soft glam staples too. But remember, all great glam starts with great skincare – The Ordinary just dropped a blemish-busting saviour that boasts visible results in under an hour. Your base makeup is about to lather on like a dream.

 

GET THE LOOK:
The Ordinary Sulfur Blemish 10% Powder-to-Cream Concentrate, £9
By Terry Brightening CC Palette N1 - Sunny Flash, £50
By Terry Hyaluronic Hydra-Balm - 2 Nudissimo, £32
Revolution Maxi Reloaded Palette- Big Shot, £15