May, 2019 – Met Gala – The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA
Cardi B’s Met Gala 2019 Outfit Is Basically an Ode to Menstruation
Stefere Custom Ruby Nipple Covers
Picture: GETTY IMAGES
Cardi B walked onto the Met Gala 2019 carpet drippin’ — in an outfit that looked just like period blood.
Cardi wore a dress designed by Thom Browne in a deep, oxblood red that, well, looks just menstrual blood. But it wasn’t just the color that makes us think Cardi’s look was period-inspired. From the feathered edges to the way the train flows, Cardi was basically a walking uterus. Hear us out — and yes, we plan to be specific.
First let’s talk color. While those who don’t menstruate might think period blood comes out looking like the same stuff that comes from a paper cut, the reality is that it’s often a much deeper red or brown color than the bright red blood that oozes from a fresh cut. Cardi’s dress is a smooth oxblood, and while real period blood can vary in color, you get the idea.
Beyond the color, the way her dress flows is reminiscent of a pooling of liquid, like, say, menstrual blood. Anyone who has ever woken up in a pool of their own period blood will recognize that tell-tale shape. And while we’re talking about shapes, the folds in the front of Cardi’s dress are straight up vaginal. The folds that stem from her hips and flow down to the floor look like labia, while the tucking of the dress inside those folds has shapes reminiscent of the clitoral hood, and then the vaginal opening. And that’s just the bottom of the dress.
Farther up, we see a sequined oval over her crotch, with bowed, puffy lines radiating outside it. That’s right, we’re talking about the same shape as a vaginal opening and labia. As the dress moves up her body, it also uses sequins to highlight other body parts, like her belly button and breasts (including a pair of ruby nipples by Stefere Jewelry, in collaboration with Thom Browne), only giving us more fuel for our anatomically-correct menstrual dress theory.
Finally, the feathers on Cardi’s shoulders and around the edge of the train could be representative of the uterine lining shedding during menstruation.
This theory is obviously not confirmed, but the dress designer did say his creation was inspired by the female form.
“I designed this dress for Cardi specifically because she has the ultimate beauty in a woman’s body, and that is what the dress is about for me: taking advantage of that beauty,” Thom Browne told Vogue. So while we might be taking some interpretive liberties here, we’re not totally off base. And honestly, what could be better than an ode to menstruation of the Met Gala carpet?
Source: Teen Vogue