Prince’s Reign in Fashion Lives on, Even After Five Years

This week, April 21st to be exact, marks the five-year anniversary of the death of Prince Rogers Nelson, “His Royal Badness,” or otherwise known as simply Prince. We love him for his incredible career in music and unique sound, with hits such as “Purple Reign,” “Raspberry Beret” and “Erotic City,” but also for his legendary, flashy outfits that both disrupted gender norms and embraced fluidity. Though his albums were reinventions of himself through his music, with every new record, he revolutionized his style, becoming bolder and better as he aged.

With his bold and exotic prints, high heels, platform boots, over-the-top ruffled collars, and countless unique accessories, he gave the term “freedom of expression” a whole new meaning. Although he has been gone for five years now, his rule over the fashion industry reigns on, especially as our world becomes more progressive and the line of what defines “masculinity” and “femininity” is starting to blur. He paved the way for not only celebrities and artists, but for everyone to wear what they want to wear with a sense of powerful confidence, rather than conforming to gender norms and what they have been taught they “should” wear.

His career began in the 1980s, a time when people really began to embrace the notion of androgyny, especially after the unique dress and whirlwind of The 70s. Prince is the icon who really took androgyny to the next level. When I think of the fashion icons the younger generations of today have, it’s easy to see how some of them drew inspiration from Prince., Celebrities such as Harry Styles, Timothée Chalamet, Janelle Monae and even Justin Bieber come to mind. I have noticed the way they, along with many others, incorporate pieces and Prince-inspired outfits that are also gender barrier-breaking. While there is still much progress to be made, it is now more normalized and accepted to see men in long dresses or gowns and women wearing structured suits that play on the designs of Prince’s original stage looks — whether we realize it or not.

Styles has always had a unique style that differed from that of his bandmates during his One Direction days, so it’s no wonder that his fashion tastes would evolve with the times, especially after he posed wearing a Gucci dress for the December 2020 issue of Vogue. I always recognized a bit of Prince in him, ever since he wore a lace jumpsuit at a performance in February 2020, similar to one worn by the legend himself.

Floral patterns, sequins, perfect tailoring and bright colors are what define some of Chalamet’s most iconic red carpet outfits that mirror those of Prince. These incorporate some subtle aspects of femininity, while he can also be seen sporting the latest sneakers and joggers out in public (and at award shows) — he can do it all. What’s even cooler about him is that he puts his pieces together without a stylist, much like His Royal Badness did throughout his career, wearing what he feels good in.

Nonbinary singer Monae actually worked with Prince on her album “Dirty Computer,” which could be why it has some of the recognizable sounds of his music. Her style also challenges gender norms; she can be seen wearing anything from a tuxedo, to an evening gown or couture pieces that are a mix of both.

Nowadays, maximalism is becoming a more popular trend, and one that I don’t think will go away any time soon. I can’t help but think of how it pays homage to the maximalist looks displayed by Prince back in the day, and how his legacy has influenced so many other people. So on April 21, wear that funky outfit that’s been hanging in your closet and put on one of Prince’s best hits to honor him on his five-year memorial. Let his Purple Reign live on forever and remember:

“Style is not lusting after someone because they’re cool, style is loving yourself til everyone else does too.” - Prince Rogers Nelson

Strike out,

Rachel Lakso

Athens

Prince’s Reign in Fashion Lives on, Even After Five Years

Defeat

Depletion