Michael Jackson was a picky dresser, and he wanted to stand out. That’s why his costumes had a lot of details that made everyone wonder why they were there and what they meant. For example, almost every jacket Michael Jackson wore had an armband on the right sleeve, and some of his jackets also had “777” sewn onto them.
We at Bright Side are fascinated with Michael Jackson`s wardrobe, and we`re ready to reveal some of the secrets behind his costumes!
1. Why he wore smaller costumes at the end of his shows
Michael Jackson`s dance routines were very physically strenuous, and he gave his all during his performances. By the end of the show, he would often lose up to 5 lbs, and his waist would become one inch thinner. And since it was important that his clothes fit perfectly, so that he could show off his dance moves, every next costume was a bit smaller than the previous one.
2. How his lean shoes worked
Michael Jackson`s shoes that helped him defy the laws of gravity had a V-shaped clasp at the bottom of the heels. With its help, he could hook into a nail attached to the floor and perform his famous 45-degree forward tilt. However, to be able to do that and to keep his whole body straight, an incredible amount of core and leg strength was also needed.
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
Once, the singer`s managers were concerned about the condition of his shoes and asked his costume designer to polish them. He did it, but it made Michael extremely angry. He explained that the leather was worn off exactly as he needed it to be, and that polishing would make it too slippery for him to perform 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 were an important part of Michael Jackson`s dance routines. So he and his costume designers decided to wrap white tape around his fingers in order to attract more light. Michael also decided it would be more unusual to only tape his index, ring, and pinkie fingers. It was also fun for him, because fans would ask why only 3 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
These letters don`t stand for anything. In the 90s, Michael`s costume designers created a few new shirts for him. He liked them, but he wanted to add some letters on the epaulets. He said it didn`t matter which ones, so his costume designers put all of the letters of the alphabet into a hat, and took 3 of them out at random. That`s where the letters “CTE” came from.
Do you think Michael Jackson had great taste in clothes? Is there any costume of his that you like in particular? We`d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!
Preview photo credit Smooth Criminal / Quincy Jones Productions
At 86, She Looks Decades Younger—Here’s Her Secret to Aging Without Surgery
Famous actress Claudia Cardinale has embraced aging gracefully, believing that time is unstoppable. Her approach shows a natural and inspiring transformation through the years.
Instead of turning to surgery, Claudia has chosen to accept each stage of life. She believes true beauty comes from within, a mindset that has gained her admiration from fans worldwide.
Her transformation over the years shows her confidence in aging naturally. Claudia’s appearance is a testament to her strength and timeless elegance, proving that beauty truly knows no age.
Source: Getty Images
Italian actress Claudia Cardinale was a big name during Hollywood’s golden age. Over her long career, she appeared in more than 100 films, especially from 1960 to 1970.
During that decade, she acted in about 30 movies, including famous titles like 8½ (1963), The Leopard (1963), and The Professionals (1966), where she starred with Burt Lancaster and Lee Marvin.
Another memorable role was in Once Upon a Time in the West (1968), directed by the legendary Sergio Leone. Cardinale recalls that Leone had a unique style, often playing the music for a scene before filming it.
Reflecting on her U.S. career, Cardinale said, “I didn’t ask to go to Hollywood; they called me.” At that time, Hollywood studios quickly signed up new stars under strict contracts, which limited actors’ freedom in their careers.
Cardinale resisted this, avoiding an exclusive deal with Universal Studios. She preferred signing one contract at a time, allowing her to build a career on her own terms.
In her three years in Hollywood, Cardinale acted in movies like The Pink Panther and The Professionals, working with famous actors such as Rock Hudson in Blindfold and sharing the screen with John Wayne and Rita Hayworth in Circus World.
During this time, she met many Hollywood icons, including Barbra Streisand, Steve McQueen, and Warren Beatty.
In 1961, Cardinale attended Cannes for the first time, promoting films like Girl With a Suitcase and The Lovemakers. She returned to Cannes in 1963 with The Leopard and 8½, both highly acclaimed movies.
Shooting two films at once was challenging, as each director wanted a different look for her. She dyed her hair dark for Visconti and went blonde for Fellini, switching colors every two weeks.
Later, she returned to Hollywood, starring in films with Rock Hudson like Blindfold and Lost Command. Cardinale was offered an exclusive contract with Universal, but she declined, saying, “No, I’m European. I’m going back.” She stayed true to herself, resisting the pressure.
Unlike some actresses, Cardinale never appeared in nude scenes and stayed clear of cosmetic surgery. She believes in showing her true self. “I’ve never done – what do you call it? – a facelift,” she once said, explaining her decision to age naturally.
Now 86, Cardinale still works in the entertainment industry. Her recent project was the Tunisian-Italian film The Island of Forgiveness. About staying active, she said, “I don’t like all these facelifts and plastic surgery because you can’t stop time.”
Starting from the “Most Beautiful Italian Girl in Tunisia” in 1957, Cardinale’s journey reflects her strength and beauty. Her story shows that true beauty lies in embracing oneself and staying genuine.
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