by Prince, the iconic musician known for his flamboyant style and genre-defying music, left a lasting impact not only on the music industry but also on fashion. Through his music videos spanning the 1980s and early 1990s, Prince showcased unique, daring outfits that set trends and influenced the way people dressed for decades to come. His boundary-pushing approach to fashion blended masculine and feminine aesthetics seamlessly while embracing bold colors, textures, silhouettes, and accessories. More than just visual complements to his music, Prince’s ensembles became works of art in their own right, pushing creative boundaries and encouraging self-expression through style.
One of Prince’s most iconic and influential looks was featured in the 1984 music video for “Purple Rain.” In the video, Prince wears a purple trench coat over a ruffled white shirt, completed with high-heeled boots. The ensemble became synonymous with Prince and cemented the color purple as his signature. The ruffled shirt brought a touch of Victorian romance to 1980s fashion, while the trench coat and boots mixed rock and baroque influences in a bold yet elegant way. Prince’s use of purple in this video established the hue as a statement color for men’s fashion. Countless artists and fans embraced the purple aesthetic in homage to Prince. The trench coat also inspired the popularization of this silhouette among both male and female fashion enthusiasts seeking a touch of mystery and drama.
Also in 1984, Prince showcased another iconic look in the music video for “When Doves Cry.” He wears lace gloves, a studded leather jacket, and flowing scarves – blending masculine and feminine elements seamlessly. This look highlighted Prince’s ability to push gender boundaries through style. At a time when androgyny was just emerging in mainstream fashion, Prince popularized incorporating lace, a traditionally feminine fabric, into masculine outfits. His intricate use of studs, laces, and scarves encouraged the rise of detailed, mixed-gender designs. Lace gloves in particular became a trend thanks to this video, as both men and women embraced intricate details and textures.
In 1986, Prince stripped down his look for the “Kiss” music video, wearing only a cropped bolero jacket over high-waisted pants. The minimalist yet sensual nature of this outfit showed how simplicity could be striking. The cropped top and high-waisted bottom defined the silhouette of the late 1980s. Both men and women adopted this flattering, body-conscious style that accentuated proportions. Prince proved high-waisted pants could be stylish and sexy for all genders. The minimal yet impactful outfit influenced the rise of form-fitting, uncovered looks in the era.
Prince also brought back retro styles with a modern twist. In 1985’s “Raspberry Beret” video, he wears a vibrant paisley-printed suit and matching beret. The bohemian ensemble embraced 70s retro fashion in fresh, reimagined way. It reintroduced the beret as a hip accessory and popularized intricate patterns on men’s suits. The playful retro-meets-modern aesthetic inspired countless indie and hip hop artists to experiment with vintage-inspired pieces. Paisley and other elaborate prints saw a resurgence, as Prince validated their timelessness.
For his 1982 song “1999,” Prince donned a futuristic, sequined ensemble with metallic details, foreshadowing the party-fueled decade of excess. At a time when glam rock reigned, this outfit pushed boundaries with its experimental, boundary-pushing style. The abundant use of sequins and metallics paved the way for bolder, flashier looks in the 1980s. Prince proved high-fashion could be fun and playful. Designers and fans embraced more vibrant materials and theatrical styles thanks to this influential video.
In 1989’s “Batdance,” Prince blurred the lines between hero and villain by wearing a half-Batman, half-Joker costume. The playful yet dramatic outfit epitomized his fearless approach to mixing pop culture icons. It encouraged imaginative, non-traditional fashion statements that subverted expectations. Prince inspired taking risks and having fun with personal style, whether through vibrant colors, retro inspirations, or unconventional mashups like his Batman/Joker look.
For 1987’s “U Got the Look,” Prince donned bold shoulder pads, a corset, and layered jewelry for a powerful yet sensual silhouette. At the height of the power-dressing era, this outfit brought a feminine twist to typically masculine power suits. It contributed to women embracing corsets and emphasizing strong shoulders to project confidence through fashion. Prince pushed boundaries once more by proving traditionally feminine garments could also symbolize strength.
One of Prince’s most provocative outfits was worn for the 1991 music video “Cream.” He wears a sheer black lace top with tight pants underneath – showcasing his ability to push sexuality through fashion. At a time when sheer fabrics were just emerging in mainstream fashion, Prince popularized the risqué trend. His video encouraged the rise of transparent materials and revealing silhouettes in music, film, and everyday style. Designers and fans embraced daring cuts and textures thanks to Prince’s influence.
Through his boundary-pushing ensembles in iconic music videos from the 1980s and early 1990s, Prince left an enduring legacy on the fashion industry. His fearless blending of masculine and feminine aesthetics, use of bold colors and materials, and playful handling of retro and futuristic styles inspired countless designers, artists, and fans. Prince proved personal style could be a form of creative self-expression. His legacy lives on in modern fashion through innovative silhouettes, daring textures, and themes of individuality. More than just complementing his genre-defying music, Prince’s outfits became works of art that continue influencing attitudes towards style.
