01of 10MUST-HAVE JACKETTime & Life Pictures/GettyFor his 1982 teen gang video “Beat It,” the singer picked a casuallycool outfit that would inspire millions to wear zipper-accented red leatherjackets in a decade-defining look for the ’80s.
01of 10
MUST-HAVE JACKET
Time & Life Pictures/Getty
For his 1982 teen gang video “Beat It,” the singer picked a casually
cool outfit that would inspire millions to wear zipper-accented red leather
jackets in a decade-defining look for the ’80s.
02of 10SUITED UPEugene Adebari/Rex USAFrom the moment Jackson danced across the lighted floor in the 1983video for “Billie Jean,” legions of teenagers wanted his slick leather suit,pink shirt and red bow tie.
02of 10
SUITED UP
Eugene Adebari/Rex USA
From the moment Jackson danced across the lighted floor in the 1983
video for “Billie Jean,” legions of teenagers wanted his slick leather suit,
pink shirt and red bow tie.
03of 10MOONWALK MOMENTGlobeDebuting the moonwalk live at the Motown 25th Anniversarycelebration in 1983, the dancing star wore his signature cropped pants - designed to show off his intricate footwork to its fullest - withsparkling socks, shirt and his omnipresent penny loafers. Ken Luftig Viste, curator of the Grammy Museum’s Michael Jackson: HIStyle exhibition, explains, “He’d wear an elaborate outfit like this so that even the people in the farthest rows could see him dance because the crystals are flashing under the lights.The white socks really also showed off the way he danced, the ways he could move and how much of that was footwork,” says Luftig-Viste. “He wanted people to be able to see him dance.”
03of 10
MOONWALK MOMENT
Globe
Debuting the moonwalk live at the Motown 25th Anniversary
celebration in 1983, the dancing star wore his signature cropped pants - designed to show off his intricate footwork to its fullest - with
sparkling socks, shirt and his omnipresent penny loafers. Ken Luftig Viste, curator of the Grammy Museum’s Michael Jackson: HIStyle exhibition, explains, “He’d wear an elaborate outfit like this so that even the people in the farthest rows could see him dance because the crystals are flashing under the lights.The white socks really also showed off the way he danced, the ways he could move and how much of that was footwork,” says Luftig-Viste. “He wanted people to be able to see him dance.”
04of 10FITS LIKE A GLOVERon Galella/WireImageSetting off a massive trend, Jackson wore just one bedazzled glove to the1984 Grammys along with a sequined military jacket, complete with gildedsash. Not only did he get fashionistas buzzing, he also picked up arecord-breaking eight awards that night. Jackson was very into “British regalia show clothes - over the top military themed items,” says longtime costumer Michael Bush, who would research historically correct military gear for Jackson, and then “do a street version, rock and roll look out of plastic, vinyl. Anything other than what was traditional!”
04of 10
FITS LIKE A GLOVE
Ron Galella/WireImage
Setting off a massive trend, Jackson wore just one bedazzled glove to the
1984 Grammys along with a sequined military jacket, complete with gilded
sash. Not only did he get fashionistas buzzing, he also picked up a
record-breaking eight awards that night. Jackson was very into “British regalia show clothes - over the top military themed items,” says longtime costumer Michael Bush, who would research historically correct military gear for Jackson, and then “do a street version, rock and roll look out of plastic, vinyl. Anything other than what was traditional!”
05of 10’BAD' MOVEShooting StarThe singer went for a distinctly edgier style for hisBadalbumin 1987, adding heavy eyeliner to a buckled leather jacket and skintightjeans.
05of 10
‘BAD’ MOVE
Shooting Star
The singer went for a distinctly edgier style for hisBadalbum
in 1987, adding heavy eyeliner to a buckled leather jacket and skintight
jeans.
06of 10
DANGEROUSLY STYLISH
Jackson hearkened back to an earlier era for his ’20s-inspired video for
his sharp tailoring and matching fedora!
07of 10STRAPPED INFrazza/AFP/GettyNever one to shy away from theatrical embellishments for his stage costumes,the singer hit the road in 1988 in second-skin outfits covered inSampM-inspired straps.
07of 10
STRAPPED IN
Frazza/AFP/Getty
Never one to shy away from theatrical embellishments for his stage costumes,
the singer hit the road in 1988 in second-skin outfits covered in
SampM-inspired straps.
08of 10
STAGE SHOW
Frank Micelotta/Getty
provocative - white arm band.
09of 10WHITE OUTRameyTalk about a united front! The singer enters for a court date, with his sisters LaToya and Janet, in white head-to-toe in 2004.
09of 10
WHITE OUT
Ramey
Talk about a united front! The singer enters for a court date, with his sisters LaToya and Janet, in white head-to-toe in 2004.
10of 10
GOLDEN AGE
Fame
In the past several months, Jackson began stepping out in
fashionista-favorite womenswear labels, including Balmain and this Givenchy
source: people.com
