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