13 Of Prince’s Most Incredible Outfits

Meg Miller April 22, 2016

The musician and style icon Prince passed away (April 28, 2016) in his Paisley Park estate in Chanhassen, Minnesota. He was 57. Over the course of his four-decade career, the artist born Prince Rogers Nelson became known as much for his fabulous, gender-bending, seductive fashion as for his boundary-pushing music.

In the 1980s, Prince put his own spin on New Romanticism, with his signature Jheri curl, glammed up blazer, ruffle shirt, and heavy eyeliner. The look became instantly iconic after the 1984 release of the musical film Purple Rain. He sported women’s panties and skin-tight crop tops in the early ’80s, and donned a high-waisted polka dot suit and heels during his 1988 “Lovesexy” tour. In an unforgettable performance at the 1991 VMAs, he jumped onstage in an ass-less neon-yellow jumpsuit. His wildly inventive aesthetic never stopped evolving throughout his entire career.

In honor of the songwriter, singer, producer and fashion icon, we’ve put together a slideshow of his greatest looks throughout his four-decade long career.

Cover Photo: Richard E. Aaron/Redferns/Getty Images

Slideshow Credits: 01 / © 1984 Warner Bros; 02 / Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images; 03 / Frank Micelotta Archive/Getty Images; 04 / David Corio/Getty Images; 05 / Frank Micelotta Archive/Getty Images; 06 / MTV via Youtube; 07 / Al Pereira/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images; 08 / Dave Benett/Getty Images; 09 / Photoshot/Getty Images; 10 / KMazur/WireImage; 11 / Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images; 12 / Kevin Mazur/WireImage/Getty Images; 13 / Alberto E. Rodriguez/WireImage/Getty Images;

 

 

 

<p/>Prince performing in 1984 in his signature look from his <em>Purple Rain</em>-era: a ruffle shirt, purple suit, eyeliner and a Jheri curl.</p> <p>” src=”http://d.fastcompany.net/multisite_files/fastcompany/imagecache/slideshow_large/slideshow/2016/04/3059177-slide-s-1-purple-rain.jpg”></p> <p> </p> <p><img alt=California’s Fabulous Forum, 1985. In the mid-80s, Prince’s New Romanticism style challenged hyper-masculinity with an androgynous look.

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<p/>Prince at a 1985 performance wearing a sequined suit.</p> <p>” src=”http://a.fastcompany.net/multisite_files/fastcompany/imagecache/slideshow_large/slideshow/2016/04/3059177-slide-s-3-1985-2-color.jpg”></p> <p> </p> <p><img alt=Wembly Arena, 1986. By the time he released Parade, Prince was on to crop tops and bare midriffs, a look he could pull off like no other.

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<p/>For his 1988 <em>Lovesexy</em> tour, Prince donned a white polka dot suit, black polka dot shirt and polka dot high heels.</p> <p>” src=”http://c.fastcompany.net/multisite_files/fastcompany/imagecache/slideshow_large/slideshow/2016/04/3059177-slide-s-5-1988-lovesexy.jpg”></p> <p> </p> <p><img alt=At the MTV Video Music Awards on September 5, 1991, Prince came out onstage in a bright-yellow, ass-less jumpsuit. Unforgettable.

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<p/>The outfit at Radio City Music Hall in 1993 shows off both his love for stripes and high-waisted pants. And of course, that glorious silk deep-V.</p> <p>” src=”http://d.fastcompany.net/multisite_files/fastcompany/imagecache/slideshow_large/slideshow/2016/04/3059177-slide-s-7-1993-rcmh.jpg”></p> <p> </p> <p><img alt=Prince in all white matching separates at the launch of VH1 music channel, 1994.

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<p/>Cut-out pants wasn’t the only way Prince used fashion to shock the crowd. At the 1995 Brit Awards, he came out with "Slave" written on his face.</p> <p>” src=”http://d.fastcompany.net/multisite_files/fastcompany/imagecache/slideshow_large/slideshow/2016/04/3059177-slide-s-9-1995-brit-awards.jpg”></p> <p> </p> <p><img alt=Prince in a metallic blue jumpsuit, blue beaded braids and an enormous hoop earring at the MTV VMAs in 1999.

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<p/>Prince in a slick turquoise and orange suit for the Super Bowl XLI, 2007.</p> <p>” src=”http://b.fastcompany.net/multisite_files/fastcompany/imagecache/slideshow_large/slideshow/2016/04/3059177-slide-s-11-2007-halftime.jpg”></p> <p> </p> <p><img alt=At the iHeart Radio Music Fest in 2012, Prince wears sunglasses of solid gold.

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