Fashion Influential #31: Michael Jackson

Singer Michael Jackson departs early from the Santa Barbara County courthouse at the end of the sixth week of his trial April 8, 2005 in Santa Maria, California. Jackson is charged in a 10-count indictment with molesting a boy, plying him with liquor and conspiring to commit child abduction, false imprisonment and extortion. (Getty Images)more pics » MICHAEL JACKSON
Born: August 29, 1958
Died: June 25, 2009, of cardiac arrest. [read more]
Fan of: The Bee Gees
Records sold: 750 Million
Relationships: Brooke Shields, Tatum O'Neal, Lisa Marie Presley
 Read more about Tragic Child Stars Beginnings.
Shortly after signing with Motown in 1968, Rolling Stone called Michael, then with the Jackson 5, “a prodigy” with “overwhelming musical gifts.” He did, after all, begin performing in front of classmates when he was 5. It wasn’t until 1978 when Jackson met Quincy Jones that he would truly come into his own and co-produce (with Jones) Off the Wall, one of Jackson’s most dynamic and soulful albums. One year later, Jackson broke his nose during a dance routine and had unsuccessful rhinoplasty surgery that lead to complications in his breathing. He was referred to Dr. Steven Hoefflin who performed his second rhinoplasty surgery and subsequent operations.

Career Highs.
In a word, Thriller. No album in the history of music has been as successful as Thriller. Ever. It remained in the top 10 of the Billboard 200 for 80 consecutive weeks, 37 of which at #1. Two years later in 1984, Jackson was invited to the White House to receive an award from President Ronald Regan for his support of charities to help people with alcohol and drug problems. Of note, however, is the King of Pop’s White House attire: Blue sequined Eisenhower-esque cropped jacket with gold sequined epaulettes, his signature sequined glove (with matching socks), black loafers with spats and impossibly dark aviator-inspired sunglasses that still be cool today. He wore a similar outfit to the Grammys that year, where he carried home eight awards.
And I remember going to the record studio and there was a park across the street and I'd see all the children playing and I would cry because it would make me sad that I would have to work instead.
                                                   - Michael Jackson on recording while in the Jackson 5
The King of Pop (and sequins)Career Lows.
By the mid-90s, Jackson’s style had evolved into a hybrid that made him look not unlike a military space doctor. But the King of Pop can pretty much wear anything. We would soon learn that beneath his popular black surgical mask was the face of a man barely resembling Michael Jackson.

The two big allegations of child sexual abuse hurt Jackson in pretty much every way possible: psychologically, financially, emotionally, and stylistically. During the child molestation trial of 2004 (in which Jackson was acquitted), he showed up one day wearing pajama bottoms and a black blazer.

Legacy.
100 years from now, Michael Jackson will be seen for what he is: An icon. A musical genius. A troubled soul. Nonetheless, his military-themed flamboyant style will no doubt be imitated and emulated for generations because beneath the sequins is an appreciation of the classics. White socks with penny loafers, straight-leg flat-front pants, a fedora(!); that stuff will never go out of style - Jackson’s legend guarantees it. 

Tragically, Jackson died on June 25, 2009 of cardiac arrest; his official cause of death is as of yet unknown. He will never be forgotten.

It's rumored that Jackson wears a prosthetic nose. Get the Look.
If you don’t want to go the be-zippered look, just rock a cropped military-inspired jacket and some dark shades. Probably best to avoid sequins altogether, but a little infantry accent here and there never hurt anyone (except people actually in the military, of course). Or you could go the classic route: white t-shirt, black loafer, black jeans and dark shades. Very cool.