Music and fashion have always gone hand-in-hand. You can’t think about Michael Jackson without picturing his famous sequined white glove or Madonna without her cone bra. No one can imagine KISS without their signature face paint and black and silver jumpsuits. The fashion choices of musicians can quickly become a part of their permanent look and their brand.
There have been many iconic outfit choices musicians are still associated with over the years. These fashion statements have meant more than just signifying whatever phase a musician was going through. Some of them have become tools to tell audiences exactly who that musician is, the kind of music they play, and what they can come to expect.
If you’re a musician and you’re trying to build your brand or get recognized, sticking with some classic fashion staples, accessorizing with interesting jewelry, or simply wearing what speaks to you can help you get noticed. The right fashion choices can make all the difference in a performance, whether you’re just starting out or you’re playing to sold-out arenas.
Let’s take a closer look at the connection between music and fashion and why it’s so important.
What a musician is wearing can tell you a lot about what to expect from them before you’ve even heard their music. If someone walks out on stage wearing tight leather pants and a cut-off t-shirt with a studded belt, what do you think they’ll be playing? That’s classic rock fashion that was heavily pushed in the 1970’s thanks to artists like David Bowie. New styles of fashion and rock music merged at the time to “push the boundaries of sound and sexuality.”
Alternatively, if you see musicians dressed in cardigan sweaters, dark jeans, and glasses, you might expect them to play folk music or something more mellow. It’s easy to associate that look with a coffee shop or smaller venue. If you’re just starting out and have smaller audiences, don’t force yourself to develop a look that isn’t you. Glasses can be uncomfortable for a while after all!
Finally, if you see someone on stage wearing baggy clothing, sports jerseys, or sweatshirts with brand logos, you might expect them to start rapping.
Are all of these fashion and music connections nothing more than stereotypes? You could argue that they are, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Different fashion choices reflect different styles and genres, developing music styles into individual cultures for people to enjoy.
Some musicians are known for pushing the envelope with what they have to say. Kanye West notoriously called out George W. Bush on MTV in 2005 but in 2019 made a bold fashion choice by wearing a “Make America Great Again” hat and endorsing Donald Trump. As another example, Lady Gaga wore a meat dress as a political statement to encourage the military not to discriminate against gay men and women.
Most recently, singer/rapper Lizzo was under fire for wearing a thong-revealing dress to a Lakers game. She later stated her disappointment in the double standard, suggesting if a thinner woman had worn the outfit, there would have been no controversy.
Musicians tend to make the most of freedom of speech, not only in what they wear, but the lyrics they write. Mayhem Mal’s song “F*** the Police” was taken offensively by people, but it was his outlet for speaking out against police brutality and his right to freedom of speech. Controversial lyrics are nothing new. Some of the most controversial songs of all time talk about killing, abuse, and drugs. The most well-known, controversial songs include the following:
“Smack My B**** Up” - The Prodigy
“Strange Fruit” - Billie Holiday
“Rape Me” - Nirvana
“Blurred Lines” - Robin Thicke
“The Pill” - Loretta Lynn
“God Save the Queen” - The Sex Pistols
There’s no denying the creativity of musicians. They are their own individual brands, so it only makes sense to capitalize on the business side of their fame by working with fashion lines they enjoy. When musicians partner with other brands and become ambassadors, they receive promotion from that brand, and the brand, in turn, receives a new audience in the fans of the musician. It can be a win-win for everyone.
Some artists take this technique even further by being affiliated by clothing brands. Rihanna is a great example. She started her own clothing line, “Savage x Fenty,” which resulted in millions of dollars worth of sales. Many other musicians also have their own clothing lines:
Beyonce
Kanye West
Jessica Simpson
Jennifer Lopez
Adam Levine
The fans of these musicians are often quick to snatch up their clothes so these lines are often money-making machines for the musicians who start them.
The connection between fashion and music is undeniable. From using clothes to make political statements to establishing the identity of the musician, it’s a connection that has always been a perfect fit and something every budding musician should take into consideration.