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look book
November 3, 2014

A Look at Prince’s Sexy 4-Decade Style Reign

By Allison P. Davis

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Photo: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

There is only one man in the music world who can dominate eight solid, uninterrupted minutes of an SNL musical performance. Fortunately, it just so happens to be same man who has been squeezing his magical tiny butt into outfits as fearlessly deviant as his X-rated lyrics for nearly four decades. Since Prince (née Prince Rogers Nelson) entered the music scene in 1979, he’s delighted our eyes with his eclectic, boundary-pushing stage costumes and “everyday” clothes. From the high-cut women’s panties he sported in the early ‘80s, to his Purple Rain–era love of high-neck ruffle shirts, metallic purple suits, and perfect curls, to his countless crop tops, to that time he wore an assless bright-yellow jumpsuit onstage at the 1991 VMAs, Prince has been an inspiration. After all, everyone and anyone can appreciate a butt cutout. (Plus, he’s back with a new album, and a new look that includes pre-trend white turtlenecks and three-eyed sunglasses by fellow Minnesotans Coco and Breezy.) What better time to gaze in wonder at nearly 40 years of Prince’s best fashions?

Click through our slideshow to see gold spangly suits, mindbogglingly tight pants, and, surprisingly, not one raspberry beret.

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1 / 36 Photos
November 22, 2015 Where: At the American Music Awards in Los Angeles. Photo: Kevin Mazur/AMA2015/WireImage
February 8, 2015 Where: Presenting at the GRAMMY Awards in Los Angeles. Photo: Kevin Mazur/WireImage
June 2, 2014 Where: At the men's singles match between Rafael Nadal of Spain and Dusan Lajovic of Serbia in Paris, France. Photo: 2014 Getty Images
March 8, 2014 Where: Performing onstage at The Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles, California. Photo: 2014 Kevin Mazur
February 19, 2014 Where: Presenting at The BRIT Awards in London, England. Photo: Samir Hussein/2014 Samir Hussein
July 3, 2011 Where: At the Hop Farm festival. Photo: Stuart Wilson/2011 Getty Images
June 27, 2010 Where: At the BET Awards in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Michael Caulfield/2010 WireImage
February 12, 2007 Where: Introducing Beyonce at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Kevin Mazur
February 4, 2007 Where: Performing during half-time at the Super Bowl XLI. Photo: ROBERTO SCHMIDT/2007 AFP
June 27, 2006 Where: Performing at the BET Awards in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Frazer Harrison/2006 Getty Images
June 27, 2006 Where: At the BET Awards in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Frazer Harrison/2006 Getty Images
June 27, 2006 Where: Performing at the BET Awards in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Frazer Harrison/2006 Getty Images
June 27, 2006 Where: Accepting the award for Best Male R&B Artist onstage at the BET Awards. Photo: Frazer Harrison/2006 Getty Images
February 15, 2006 Where: At The Brit Awards. Photo: Dave M. Benett/2006 Dave M. Benett
March 21, 2005 Where: Performing on stage at the NAACP Image Awards in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Kevin Winter/2005 Getty Images
February 27, 2005 Where: At the Academy Awards in Hollywood, California. Photo: Kevin Winter/2005 Getty Images
January 9, 2005 Where: Presenting an award at the People's Choice Awards. Photo: Kevin Winter/2005 Getty Images
July 2, 2004 Where: At the Essence Music Festival in New Orleans, Louisiana. Photo: Chris Graythen/2004 Getty Images
May 29, 2004 Where: At the Tiger Woods Tiger Jam in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo: Getty Images/2004 Getty Images
March 15, 2004 Where: At the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Induction Dinner in New York City. Photo: Frank Micelotta/2004 Getty Images
February 8, 2004 Where: At the Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Frank Micelotta/2004 Getty Images
September 25, 1998 Where: Performing at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Photo: Mitchell Gerber/�� Corbis. All Rights Reserved.
Circa 1997 Where: Performing in New York City. Photo: Mitchell Gerber/�� Corbis. All Rights Reserved.
May 4, 1994 Where: Performing at the World Music Awards Ceremony in Monaco. Photo: Stephane Cardinale/�� Corbis. All Rights Reserved.
June 15, 1992 Where: Performing at Earl's Court in London. Photo: Scan Room/2008 Getty Images
August 2, 1986 Where: Performing at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Photo: �� Corbis. All Rights Reserved.
May 23, 1986 Where: Performing at a surprise concert in San Francisco. Photo: Roger Ressmeyer/�� Corbis. All Rights Reserved.
November 4, 1984 Where: Performing in Detroit on the Purple Rain tour.
Circa 1984  Photo: Nick Elgar/�� Corbis. All Rights Reserved.
Circa 1984 Where: Performing in Detroit on the Purple Rain tour.
Circa 1984 Where: Performing in Detroit on the Purple Rain tour.
November 1, 1984  Photo: Ross Marino/�� Corbis. All Rights Reserved.
March 2, 1982 Where: Performing on the Controversy Tour in Philadelphia. Photo: Scott Weiner/Retna
Circa 1980  Photo: Robert Matheu / Retna Ltd./�� Robert Matheu / Retna Ltd.
Circa 1980  Photo: Robert Matheu / Retna Ltd./�� Robert Matheu / Retna Ltd.
June 1, 1980 
1 / 36

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