Man in the Mirror: MJ's Jacket Magic

I have been listening to a lot of Michael Jackson lately.  More specifically, I have had Bad and Thriller (arguably two of the best albums to come out of the 80s) on a steady rotation for the past two weeks. Whatever your opinions are about the man himself, it is hard to deny that MJ was a musical genius.  Seriously, I challenge you to sit still when the badass beats of Bad start pumping out of your stereo.

Sweet 70s style on young MJ

Michael Jackson pumped out hit after hit, broke new ground for his contemporaries, boldly went where no pop star had gone before and all the while being a furiously independent fashion icon.  Sometimes crazy, usually awesome, always unique, MJ's style was a force to be reckoned with. Mostly, it was the jackets. Yes, the jackets.

The Thriller Jacket

Even as a youngster in the 70s, MJ had some serious style. As he got older and branched out as a solo artist, he defined himself with a signature look. Tight pants? Check. Jerry Curl mullet? Check. Sweet red leather jacket? Check mate!
                                                                  

Notice the similarities
with the 19th c. jacket below?

MJ did nothing less than rock the hell out of the leather jacket in the 80s. During theThriller years he could be seen wearing his signature red and black jacket from the iconic Thriller video or another red piece embellished with gold and zippers.  This was the beginning of MJ's love affair with the military style. 


Those outrageous 80s styles may seem a far cry from the military gear, but the leather jacket actually has its origins there.  In the 1920s, the leather jacket was adapted for use with the new fangled motorized bike and rose to popularity after being immortalized on film by the likes of James Dean and Marlon Brando.  

19th c. British military jacket

Oh Michael, you so bad.

Michael certainly capitalized on the idea that leather = lawlessness for his Bad album, but underneath it all, there was always that element of military style.   Throughout the 80s, the reference was subtle. But, as his fame grew, the word subtly disappeared from the King's vocabulary. His style became outrageous, unapologetic and undoubtedly influenced by military history.  His beautifully detailed jackets were reminiscent of 19th century British army uniforms - if the British army planned on storming Broadway and doing a dance number.

Even when he delved into futuristic styles, MJ still looked like he was channeling some alien armed guard. This whole military business is a bit of a conundrum considering his rather shy demeanor. But, alas, perhaps he was just trying to stylishly arm himself against an unforgiving world.

Amazing military style, MJ.

In any case, Michael Jackson: you were one stylish dude with some dangerously danceable tunes.
And I salute you.

And now, some MJ inspired awesomeness:

Sexy Black Military Dress by Majikhorse

This is a great example of how Michael influenced the whole fashion world, including the little black dress.

Super Rad Blade Runner Jacket by Sweet Cecelia

A sweet version of Michael's classic Thriller Jacket. I love the cross-over lapel.

White and Red Leather Jacket by Ramblin Vintage

A beautiful white alternative to the iconic red. But remember that suit on the the Thriller cover? Michael dug white too.

Black Leather Pants by Rerun Vintage

Don't forget the pants! The MJ look would not be complete without a pair of awesome painted-on leather pants like these! 

Red Plaid Button Jacket by Other Peoples Property

This jacket is just so rad (rhymes with plaid!) I think MJ would have worn this on his more casual days, like on a picnic with Bubbles the Chimp.

Blue Jean Baby: Denim Never Dies

There are some designs in the fashion world that are so useful, so versatile, so awesomely universal that they stand the test of time. Without a doubt, one design in particular stands out above the rest: Jeans.

No matter who you are or where you live, you most likely know what jeans are and probably own at least a few pairs.  That is because jeans have a long history and a pervasive presence all over the world.

Some good ol' miner boys
hangin' out in their Levi's

Denim trousers had humble beginnings 500 years ago in Europe, invented as a sturdy material for Italian sailors.  The term "jean" is said to be derived from the french term "bleu de Genes" or "blue of Genoa".  Over the centuries, these denim trousers (not yet called jeans) became more and more popular, but strictly for the likes of hard-working, dirty job doing men.  You may have heard of a little fashion pioneer by the name of Levi Strauss? Well, in 1872 he and his partner, Jacob Davis, brilliantly invented the concept for riveting 

 jeans for further stability. Their design was a hit on the West Coast of North America, but still only served a purpose for miners and marines. 

Then came the beloved decade: the 50s. With all of it's on-screen media and burgeoning teen rebellion, it's easy to understand how jeans began to become more popular in everyday fashion. Stars like James Dean popularized the wearing of jeans (then known as "waist overalls") and teens wishing to rebel against the straight-laced style of their parents ate up the blue collar style.

Woodstock. Need I say more?

This trend exploded in the 1960s as jeans became a uniform for the hippie movement.  Companies like Levi's recognized the potential in the teen market and came out with all sorts of free loving designs, including huge bell bottoms and peace sign button flies.  

A young Brooke Shields  poses in one
of the first Calvin Klein jean ads.

Despite their vast popularity in the 60s, jeans didn't become truly "fashionable" until the 1980s when they were introduced as "designer".  Brands like Jordache and Calvin Klein hopped on the denim bandwagon and all of a sudden jeans were oh-so-stylish and stupidly expensive.  

Stonewash! Fringe! Bedazzling!
And SO MUCH DENIM.

Since then, jeans have gone through a seemingly ever-changing slew of different shapes, sizes, colours, and cuts.  In the  80s, it seemed that anything and everything could (and should!) be made of denim. Stonewashing became increasingly popular as did the lost art of bedazzling.  The 90s saw jeans become baggier and brighter, with colours like yellow, purple and red stealing the spotlight from traditional blue.

And here we are in the year 2011 and jeans are as popular (if not more so) as ever.  No matter your shape, size, colour or creed there is a pair of jeans out there to make your ass look great. There's probably even a jacket and shoes to match. There are jeans for dogs and jeans for babies. Heck, there's even something out there called "Pajama Jeans" (because real jeans are just "too hard to put on"!).  

Jeans are truly the fantastic faded blue proof that a classic never dies.

Some vintage denim for a modern world:

Cat Stevens Bell Bottoms by honey pie vintage

These maybe the most comfortable jeans on the face of the earth! And they don't look too shabby either!

Squeeze Denim Dress by honey pie vintage

Vintage denim dresses tend to be big and shapeless. I love that this one has great curve-hugging structure.

Light Denim Skimmers  by Old Baltimore Vintage

A great example of the versatility of denim. These are sweet, simple and make me want to go sailing. Anything that does that is just plain awesome.

Purple Vintage Jeans by Kimberly Danielle

Classic 90s colour. These amazing purple jeans have all the great character I love about 90s denim.

Overalls Onesy by Vintagetwists

Not just overalls, super belled culotte overalls! I love this variation on a traditional style.

Easy Breezy Mini by Storied

It's not easy to find a unique and stylish vintage denim skirt. This one certainly fits those needs and has great contemporary style with that high waist, brass buttons and lovely light colour.