PRINCE
BY AVERY ST. GEORGE PHOTOS BY KALI KNUDSON
There is no denying that Prince had a profound impact on the music industry as his songs are still loved and listened to today. Often overlooked, though, is the lasting effect of his unique style on the fashion industry.
At the peak of Prince’s fame, the United States was having a major resurgence of conservative ideals spurred by the election of Ronald Reagan. Reagen’s presidency ushered in a time period of social conservatism in which those who supported traditional family values and gender roles were very outspoken. Typical clothing at the time for male celebrities mainly consisted of denim, plain shirts, and a basic suit or tuxedo.
The trailblazers in men’s fashion, along with Prince, were singers like David Bowie and Elton John who were very eccentric and liked to express themselves with their style both on and off stage. Something that Prince was particularly known for was the gender fluidity of his style, which incorporated both feminine and masculine aspects into his unique image.
When most people think of Prince’s signature look, they think of patterned suits, ruffled shirts, and feathered boas. Those are definitely some of his most memorable looks as they continue to inspire those with more androgynous styles today. Along with this, Prince also wore more feminine pieces, like crop tops, jewelry, and high heels, which broke a lot of the gender norms at the time and had a lot of people questioning what men could and couldn’t wear.
Challenging gender identity was something Prince did almost every time he stepped out on the stage or a red carpet. With his bright-colored and patterned jackets and trousers, he definitely stood out against the traditional male celebrity. There’s no denying Prince’s fashion legacy still lives on today as he continues to inspire androgyny in fashion as well as a flamboyant and eccentric style.
His legacy as an artist lives in his personality, music, and overall confidence, which is seen as a beacon of light for a lot of young people struggling to find their identity. So while “Purple Rain” will be played for decades to come, Prince’s legacy will also live on as an influence for young people trying to discover their own personal style.
