50 of Mindy Kaling's Most Experimental Fashion Moments

Updated on 8/16/2022 at 10:02 AM

Mindy Kaling's career as a show creator, actor, producer, and comedian is impressive to say the least, so having a wardrobe that fits the bill and keeps everyone guessing is crucial. Kaling's enthusiasm for expressing herself through vibrant prints and bold colors is undeniable. Whether she's at a press event for Netflix's "Never Have I Ever" or walking the red carpet at an award ceremony, the Hollywood star's energy is half emitted through her outfit.

Working for years with stylist Hayley Atkin, Kaling remains dedicated to a certain slew of brands — Tory Burch, Gucci, Carolina Herrera, and Versace, to name a few — while also mixing in emerging or unexpected labels that she routinely introduces to her fans on Instagram with her many outfit posts.

As a mom of two, Kaling feels motherhood has positively affected her approach to fashion, telling InStyle, "I think as I've gotten older, I have really gotten less judgmental of myself and also of other people for rocking certain trends . . . I like to surprise myself, whether it's in fashion or with a workout I wouldn't normally feel like I could do."

While Kaling admits she may not feel comfortable pulling off every aesthetic she sees on TikTok, the 43-year-old creative is certainly willing to experiment and have fun with her glam team by her side.

Ahead, backtrack on some of Kaling's best looks to date, and find designer credits for each standout moment as you scroll.

— Additional reporting by Hannah Weil McKinley

Kaling wore a colorblock Bibhu Mohapatra midi dress to the season three premiere of "Never Have I Ever" in LA, finishing the look with triple-strap Giuseppe Zanotti sandals and jewels from Kallati and Le Vian.

While doing press for "Never Have I Ever" season three in New York, Kaling showed off a rainbow Versace skirt set, which she styled with quilted leather Chanel accessories, later swapping the slides for a pair of pink Kat Maconie heels.

Kaling was a bohemian queen in this purple Prabal Gurung number at the 2022 Met Gala, showing off the design's floor-sweeping train and floral appliquéd shoulders. She finished the look with mixed-metal jewelry, including a bursting pendant necklace to accent her plunging neckline.

Kaling wore a sculptural, one-shoulder dress with a silver metallic bodice, yellow skirt, and single-shoulder cape at the 2022 Vanity Fair Oscars party. She played up her leg slit with silver platforms and finished the outfit with Martin Katz jewels.

Kaling wore a rhinestone-speckled Pamella Roland dress with Sarah Flint shoes and A Perdifiato jewelry at the 2021 People's Choice Awards.

Kaling hosted a star-studded Diwali dinner in November 2021 at Bombay Palace in LA, where she showed off a custom outfit from Falguni Shane Peacock. The navy ensemble featured silver embroidery and was complete with pearl drop earrings and jewel-tone gemstone rings.

Kaling kept it classic in this strapless Carolina Herrera satin dress with a big bow at the waist. She completed the look with elegant diamonds at the 2021 Emmy Awards.

As a friend of the Tory Burch fashion house, Kaling attended the 2021 Met Gala with the brand, opting for complete sophistication in a midnight-navy gown with a plunging neckline and thick corset belt to add structure. She finished the look with satin pumps and architectural gold earrings with amethyst stones.

Kaling wore a one-shoulder dress in effervescent yellow for the 2020 Oscars, finishing her look with Chopard jewels.

Kaling proved deep purple is her color in this Reem Acra sheath dress at the Vanity Fair Oscars party in 2020, finishing the ensemble with a diamond timepiece to draw attention to her bead-embellished neckline.

Kaling opted for voluminous sleeves and a peplum hem in this floral Carolina Herrera number at the 2020 Film Independent Spirit Awards in Santa Monica, CA, rounding out her outfit with oval-shaped diamond drop earrings and a matching bracelet, plus patent pumps and an embellished clutch.

Kaling wore a free-flowing Oscar de la Renta dress with red poppy embroidery to the 2019 Baby2Baby Gala, tying her hair back to reveal diamond and ruby jewels.

For the "Camp: Notes on Fashion"-themed Met Gala in 2019, Kaling was golden in Moschino with a platinum-blond hairstyle; oversize, mirror-effect chandelier earrings; and glitter pumps.

Kaling attended the 2019 Vanity Fair Oscars party in a shimmering Alberta Ferretti patchwork sequin dress, complete with a gunmetal box clutch, sapphire rings, diamond drop earrings, and silver sandals.

In May 2018, Kaling was spotted leaving her hotel in New York in this emerald-green high-low shirtdress by Solace London, complete with a black belt to add structure and simple pumps.

Kaling sat front row at Tory Burch's fall/winter 2019 show in New York City, styling the brand's bright patterned shirtdress with a blue-and-white top-handle bag and metallic cap-toe pumps.

Kaling stunned at the 2018 Met Gala in a satin Vassilis Zoulias gown complete with Fred Leighton jewels, Giuseppe Zanotti shoes, and a gemstone-encrusted crown.

For the European premiere of "A Wrinkle in Time" in March 2018, Kaling slipped into this Temperley London halter dress with embellishments and chiffon sleeves.

Kaling wore Rachel Zoe for an appearance at "Good Morning America" in March 2018, completing her mixed-print look with a trusty Chanel bag and Scosha jewels.

Kaling stunned at the 2018 Vanity Fair Oscars party in a strapless sequined Atelier Prabal Gurung dress and a matching Roger Vivier clutch.

In February 2018, Kaling arrived at the LA premiere of "A Wrinkle in Time" in this indigo Greta Constantine number that fit her like a glove.

Kaling wore navy Prabal Gurung sequins and Monique Péan and Jacob & Co. jewels to the Met Gala in 2017.

For the 2017 Vanity Fair Oscars afterparty, Kaling made a bright statement in Naeem Khan. She completed her look with an Edie Parker clutch and Jennifer Meyer jewels.

Kaling headed to "Jimmy Kimmel" looking polished in a double-breasted sheath dress in June 2016.

Kaling wore a floral three-quarter-sleeve sheath for the FYC panel for "The Mindy Project" in LA in June 2016.

Kaling made a jaw-dropping appearance in a bright-blue Elizabeth Kennedy dress at the Grace Awards in May 2016.

Kaling slipped into a shining white Tory Burch gown for the Met Gala in 2016.

She wowed in a printed MSGM dress and Valentino heels at the Watermark Conference For Women in 2016.

It was this rose-covered skater dress and Valentino Rockstud heels for the NBC Universal summer press day in 2016.

Kaling was elegant in an off-the-shoulder Elizabeth Kennedy gown at the Oscars in 2016.

Kaling wore a custom design by Salvador Perez for the Vanity Fair Oscars afterparty in 2016.

Kaling wowed in another custom Salvador Perez gown at the Costume Designers Guild Awards in 2016.

She sported a pretty fit-and-flare for the Hulu holiday party in 2015.

Kaling wore a goddess-worthy Salvador Perez design at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards in 2015.

Kaling sported a whimsical Roksanda Ilincic design for a live talk in LA in 2015.

Kaling opted for a two-piece Max Mara set for the premiere of her film "Inside Out" in June 2015.

Kaling looked ultra ladylike in a rose-covered knee-length dress while out in NYC in 2015.

Kaling went for pastels in a rainbow-hued Shoshanna dress for the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic in 2015.

Kaling brightened up the Cannes red carpet in a berry-hued Salvador Perez two-piece in 2015.

Kaling stunned in a printed Alexander McQueen dress and YSL heels while promoting "Inside Out" at Cannes.

It was a chic Roksanda Ilincic sheath for a photo call in Cannes in 2015.

Kaling made jaws drop in custom Salvador Perez for the Vanity Fair Oscars party in 2015.

Kaling mixed up menswear in a metallic Smythe blazer, striped button-down by The Kooples, and Zero + Maria Cornejo trousers at the Fox Winter TCA All-Star party in 2015.

Kaling rocked another custom Salvador Perez creation at the People Magazine Awards in 2014.

Kaling lit up the Emmy Awards in a bright-coral Kenzo gown in 2014.

She proved she was a style all-star at the Fox All-Star party in January 2014 in pretty jacquard florals.

For the Fox party in fall 2013, Kaling added oomph to an LBD with cutout ankle boots.

Kaling showed just a hint of skin in a Topshop crop top and skirt set at PaleyFest in March 2014.

She kept it color coordinated, right down to her black-and-white Céline bag, for a book signing at Club Monaco in NYC in March 2014.

She kept it all in the same color family for a visit to SiriusXM Studios in shades of purple in March 2014.