7 Times Prince Made Purple the New Black

The world is turning purple after the death of American singer and songwriter Prince, who was known for his ability to innovate and defy genre. His work wasn’t only momentous in the music industry, though – he would’ve killed it on a runway, too.

Just months after the death of David Bowie, another revolutionary genius in music and fashion, it seems too soon to lose another star who was unafraid to thwart gender roles and set trends in fashion (again, and again… and again.)

Here, we look across the key moments where Prince’s flamboyant, daring style proved he was a pioneer of the fashion world.

1985

A statement white jacket, button-sided flare pants and donning shades at night. We’ve taken a page out of his book with the bold fur coat, but why did we skip out on the male high-heels thing? It’s 31 years later and we’re still waiting…

This white debonair suite is making us do a double-take after seeing Prince drained of his usual bright colours and detailed patterns. Not in a bad way, though. Tailored, sharp and sleek, he’s dressed appropriately all in white for his seemingly angelic origins.

Who said low necklines and midriff-baring ensembles were for women? With a striking wide-brimmed, dark hat, Prince is bringing a new element of masculinity and daring to this ensemble – and we like it a lot. This has to have been Austin Powers’ inspiration. Yeah, baby!

Prince’s perfectly groomed dark curls are reminding us of a young Michael Jackson – and it definitely doesn’t matter if it’s black or white, because Prince has done it all. This polka dot bodysuit embodies all of our high-waisted goals, and is a far sight better than anything we’ve seen on today’s male pop stars.

This audacious, striking, swirling pattern is is everything we wish we could find in outfits today.

Showing his affinity for the divergent and the risque, his yellow get-up is making us yearn to wander into his wardrobe and just spend a few mouth-gaping hours there. Also, we do see your buns there, Prince – and yes, we’re glad.

Continuing his fashion streak well into the noughties, this eye-catching outfit is reminding us that brighter is indeed better. His tailored suit and popped collar, along with his appropriately coloured guitar for the purple king is sending us swooning.

This black-on-black with statement jewellery look is what we’re pretty sure everyone’s trying to nail at the moment. This artistic mesh of normcore and bling is making all of us in our turtlenecks jealous. If only we could all be rocking outfits as well as this into our 50s.