There’s no question Janelle Monáe was the standout of award season. From her scene-stealing Elie Saab Haute Couture turn at the Oscars to her floral Chanel at the SAG Awards complete with matching wrist cuffs and her polka dot moment in custom Armani Privé at the Golden Globes. And her hair accessories have always been something to behold. What makes all of this so amazing is that the singer, and now actress, has managed to accomplish all of this by primarily rocking just two shades: black and white.
Sure, you’ll occasionally see her break out a metallic or work in a pop of color in the form of a hat, lipstick or subtly embedded into a mainly black and white patterned piece. But Janelle’s two favored hues have become somewhat of her trademark. Whether worn separately or more often as a contrasting duo, her ability to constantly make the pairing seem not only fresh but fashion-forward is quite impressive. So, we decided to take a closer look at Janelle’s recent styling past to see what lessons we could glean. Above, your cheat sheet on how to master black and white like a boss.
[ Next: Janelle Monáe: My Fashion and Beauty Inspirations ]
Janelle Monáe
-
Janelle Monáe #1
No one strikes a pose like Janelle Monáe. At the recent Lord & Taylor event celebrating the Dress Address at its Fifth Avenue store, the singer/actress managed to simultaneously flaunt her sparkly Zuhair Murad Spring 2017 LBD, those fishnets, her hair jewels, rings and that rich brown manicure.
Image: Cindy Ord/Getty Images for Lord & Taylor
-
Janelle Monáe #2
Just because she favors black and white looks doesn’t mean she can’t work in some metallic accents. Janelle won Oscar night by hitting the red carpet in an epic Elie Saab Fall 2016 Haute Couture gown bursting with embellishments and a sheer bodice, all topped off by an equally engaging Jennifer Behr headband.
Image: Steve Granitz/WireImage/Getty Images
-
Janelle Monáe #3
If you’re going to go big at the Oscars, you better opt for just as grand a gown at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party. Janelle’s black Alexandre Vauthier Fall 2016 Haute Couture creation was just as mesmerizing as her Elie Saab thanks to its mesh bodice and sleeves, extended grommet belt and full skirt with subtle center slit.
Image: Karwai Tang/Getty Images
-
Janelle Monáe #4
Pattern mixing is definitely an art and Janelle has perfected the technique by routinely pairing seemingly clashing prints for a surprisingly harmonious effect. She layered a striped coat over a chevron dress, both from Salvatore Ferragamo, at the 2017 Film Independent Spirit Awards.
Image: George Pimentel/Getty Images
-
Janelle Monáe #5
If you feel the need to suit up in a traditional tuxedo, be sure to take a risk and slip on a set that includes a strip of color down the pant leg, projecting an almost track pant-vibe. Janelle styled the Barbara Bui look at the Essence Black Women in Hollywood Awards like a pro, working in a Jimmy Choo clutch and statement earrings reminiscent of paper clips.
Image: Amanda Edwards/Getty Images
-
Janelle Monáe #6
When you rely on two main hues for most of your outfits, you need to find another way to make your looks stand out. Janelle’s a big fan of texture and structure as evidenced by the Ashi Studio Fall 2016 Haute Couture beaded asymmetrical dress she sported to the 2017 NAACP Image Awards.
Image: Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic/Getty Images
-
Janelle Monáe #7
Janelle’s acumen when it comes to accessories rivals Olivia Palermo. Just look at how she not only relied on the coordinating cuffs to amp up her Chanel Pre-Fall 2017 dress at the 2017 SAG Awards, but she also used a geometric see-through clutch, matching pearl rings and earrings, floral hair accents and embellished cuff strappy sandals — not to mention that fuchsia lip.
Image: John Shearer/Getty Images for People Magazine
-
Janelle Monáe #8
We love how even Janelle’s more laid-back looks are still eclectic. Take the black message shirt she wore on top of a crisp white collared blouse, black skirt, horse patterned tights and ornate black combat boots at the Atlanta screening of I Am Not Your Negro.
Image: Prince Williams/Wireimage/Getty Images
-
Janelle Monáe #9
Even fashion fanatics realize that Thom Browne designs are hard to pull off. Janelle’s method to making this faux tuxedo dress pay off at Marie Claire’s 2017 Image Makers Awards involved adding outrageous accents, like placing bobby pins in her fun hairdo, sporting statement drop earrings and carting a striped clutch.
Image: Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic/Getty Images
-
Janelle Monáe #10
Once again proving keeping things black and white is anything but boring, Janelle really stood out at the Golden Globes in custom Armani Privé. It was the piece’s supremely sculptural dotted skirt that really made this look a home run.
Image: George Pimentel/WireImage/Getty Images
-
Janelle Monáe #11
There was something almost 3-D about Janelle’s Jenny Packham Spring 2017 dress at the 28th Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival Film Awards Gala. If the dress wasn’t captivating enough, her golden woven hairpiece, drop earrings, array of rings and striped clutch proved that sometimes more is better.
Image: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic/Getty Images
-
Janelle Monáe #12
How do you take some of the focus off an oversized houndstooth jacket? Just cap it off with a bright red beret like Janelle did at the Hidden Figures screening in Washington, D.C.
Image: Paul Morigi/Getty Images
-
Janelle Monáe #13
If you’re going to rock the waterfall trend, embrace structured separates to create that cascading effect. Janelle showed us how it’s done at the 2016 Hollywood Film Awards by teaming an ivory Georges Chakra Fall 2016 Haute Couture jacket featuring a long train with black pants and balanced things out with a ruffled black pearl-accented choker.
Image: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic/Getty Images
-
Janelle Monáe #14
All it takes to make a LBD less basic is a stark asymmetrical sash thrown over one shoulder. Janelle played up the black and white contrast at the 2016 Toronto International Film Festival Hidden Figures premiere by incorporating a white clutch and flashy black sandals.
Image: George Pimentel/WireImage/Getty Images
-
Janelle Monáe #15
Who says all the attention has to be on the birthday girl? Janelle certainly turned heads at Beyoncé's 35th birthday party in New York City in a hypnotic checkered jacket, a matching miniskirt and beret, all styled with a white turtleneck and over-the-knee black boots.
Image: James Devaney/GC Images/Getty Images
-
Janelle Monáe #16
There’s nothing like a well-tailored look to really sell a menswear-inspired vibe. Janelle’s black jacket and pants suited her to a T at a Nordic State Dinner at the White House and the outfit’s subtle red lines were the ideal complement to her red clutch and twisted red scarf on her lapel.
Image: Alex Wong/Getty Images
