Michael Jackson’s Fashion Legacy Ft G.H.BASS
“My attitude is if fashion says it’s forbidden, I’m going to do it.” ~ Michael Jackson
This was the philosophy that the King of Pop lived by, and it eloquently explains how his vibrant sense of style came to be.
From being fully dressed in gold-coated armour to his bright red iconic leather outfit, Michael Jackson has long been known as an icon from head to toe. When it came to fashion, though, he knew exactly how to push boundaries, while often ending popular fashion debates, such as ‘Should loafers be worn with socks?’ - but we’ll get to that later!
This month, as we celebrate his incredible life, following the release of Michael (2026), a biographical film directed by Antoine Fuqua, we take a moment to consider some of his most iconic looks.
Fashion That Pushes Boundaries
#5 Red Leather Jacket
When it came to adding a pop of colour to his wardrobe, no one did it better than the legend himself. In his music video ‘Beat It’, Jackson wore his iconic red leather jacket with black skinny jeans and a graphic tee.
Today, this remains one of his most recognisable looks, frequently recreated as a go-to costume for fans dressing up as him.
#4 Sparkling Socks With Loafers
His combination of sparkling socks with loafers became another well-known look, as this marked his debut of the infamous Jackson moonwalk, performed live at the Motown 25th Anniversary.
Worn with a sparkling shirt and cropped pants, audiences could not take their eyes off his phenomenal footwork, which stood out even more thanks to the sparkle of his socks.
#3 Military Regalia
Inspired by form-fitting uniforms, Jackson’s variety of embellished military-styled outfits sparked many conversations. The artist enjoyed how uniforms commanded attention, as well as accentuated broad shoulders and smaller waists.
His stylists and designers even drew inspiration from monarchs and the European military when creating these looks.
#2 The Single Bedazzled Glove
One of his most prominent fashion accessories was a single white bedazzled glove that actually had a unique origin story.
When working on the production of the film ‘The Triumph’, Jackson visited the editing suite of the film. He encountered chief film editor Rick Ross, working with film, feeding it through his left hand, which was covered by a white cotton disposable glove.
This brief interaction ended with Jackson asking if Ross had a glove to spare. And from then on, an iconic look was born.
#1 Black Loafers & White Socks
The opening scene of Jackson’s legendary ‘Thriller’ music video will never cease to cause goosebumps. In part, this is due to the thrill of the video's scenery (excuse the pun). But the artists’ ensemble is ultimately what made this performance so memorable.
Dressed fully in red, Jackson strategically allowed his feet to be the centre of attention as he slid, skipped, and moonwalked throughout the video.
All this intricate footwork, made easily recognisable thanks to his iconic combination that would settle years and years of fashion debate: white dress socks worn with black G.H.BASS loafers - now you see why we’ve got this look as our number 1 favourite?
The Loafer Debate Settled: Socks or Not?
It’s probably time to settle this lifelong debate, ‘Should loafers be worn with socks?’ To that we say, if it was good enough for Michael Jackson, then it’s good enough for us!
Fashion is all about pushing boundaries, showing creativity, and of course, comfort. Jackson himself believed that his wardrobe needed to fulfil his philosophy of fit, function, and fashion. And if the clothes could not accommodate his onstage choreography, then they weren’t the right choice.
So, what can we take from this today? That there is no right answer! Socks or not, loafers are made to be enjoyed by all. And while not all of us might be seeking the perfect shoe to moonwalk in, a black pair of loafers can never hurt to have ready in your wardrobe.
