Michael Jackson was very particular about his outfits and always aimed to stand out. His costumes were full of unique details that left people wondering about their meaning. For instance, nearly all of his jackets featured an armband on the right sleeve, and some even had “777” stitched onto them.
At Bright Side, we’re intrigued by Michael Jackson’s wardrobe and excited to uncover some of the hidden secrets behind his iconic costumes!
Michael Jackson’s dance routines were incredibly intense, and he put his full energy into every performance. By the end of a show, he could lose up to 5 pounds, and his waist would shrink by an inch. To ensure his outfits fit perfectly and highlighted his dance moves, each successive costume was slightly smaller than the one before.
2. How his lean shoes worked
Michael Jackson’s gravity-defying shoes featured a V-shaped clasp on the heels, allowing him to hook onto a nail embedded in the floor and execute his iconic 45-degree forward tilt. However, pulling off this move while keeping his body perfectly straight required immense core and leg strength.
3. Why he only wore one glove
Michael had vitiligo, a skin condition where patches of your skin lose pigment. It started on his hand and he wanted to cover it up. And he thought it would look too ordinary to wear 2 gloves, so he would only wear one.
4. Why almost every jacket had an armband on the right sleeve
Michel Jackson just wanted his clothes to be different from everyone else’s. And having an armband on a sleeve makes your look distinguishable. Michael also liked to make his fans wonder why that armband was there.
5. Why there are 3 № 7s sewn onto his jackets
Michael was the 7th child in his family. Also, he was born in 1958, and if you add 19 plus 58, it equals 77.
6. Why he never polished his shoes
At one point, Michael Jackson’s managers worried about the condition of his shoes and asked his costume designer to polish them. The designer did as requested, but Michael was furious. He explained that the worn leather was just right for his performance, and polishing would make the shoes too slippery for his dance moves.
7. Why he wore white socks
Michael loved wearing white socks for several reasons. No one else wore white socks with black shoes. Moreover, they would catch the light and attract attention to the movements of his feet when he was dancing.
8. Why he taped his fingers
Hand movements played a crucial role in Michael Jackson’s dance routines. To enhance their visibility, he and his costume designers wrapped white tape around his fingers to catch more light. Michael chose to tape only his index, ring, and pinkie fingers, making it more distinctive. He also enjoyed the mystery it created, as fans often wondered why only three of his fingers were taped.
When Michael danced, he would unconsciously put his 2 untaped fingers together. And that would also add mysteriousness to his performances, since the fans would think this sign had a secret meaning.
9. What the letters CTE on his jackets stand for
