Ever since Beethoven first donned his curly wig, fashion has played an important role in popular music. Everyone recognises Micheal Jackson’s rhinestone glove and Madonna’s conical bra, I thought it would be fun to take a moment to remember some of the best trousers in pop history.
Sexy Trousers
Jim Morrison, “The Lizard King” was the lead singer with 60’s and 70’s band, The Doors. He was a legendary performer, a modern poet and a firm believer in the power of a tight fitting pair of leather trousers. They became an integral part of his image and played no small part in his popularity as a sex symbol.
His style was a million miles from those clean cut, clean living Beatles with their smart pleated trousers for men and tidy haircuts. Jim sadly died in 1971 and is buried at the famous Père Lachaise cemetery in Paris. His music (and trousers) will live on forever.
Baggy Trousers
The year is 1980, the place is Camden, North London. Madness (the band) have just released their new single ‘Baggy Trousers’ and to accompany the song the band shoot a video.
Nearly 40 years later Sax player Lee Thompson’s solo flying high through the air attached to a crane is still one of British musics videos most iconic images. As for the trousers, they were baggy with a capital B!
Timberlands
Before Justin Timberlake (far right) was a famous solo star, super bowl performer, bra grabber, actor and Britney Spears boyfriend, in the 90’s he was exactly 20% of Boyband N’Sync.
They were notable for many things, including their fondness for camouflage combat trousers (as seen in this pic).
Although not as iconic as some of the other trousers in our list they are definitely worth a mention only if it is to show how terrible they are.
Walk This Way
It may seem like a small thing now, but when Run DMC first walked onstage in their Adidas ‘street’ gear it was something of a watershed moment. Grandmaster Flash and Melle Mel had come before them, but visually their style followed in the footsteps of Funkadelic of Parliament, ie Silver suits and feathers in your hat.
Run DMC were the first rappers who literally turned up and performed in their street gear. Their fashion statement was as powerful as their lyrical message and Adidas even produced a special RUN DMC superstar pair of trainers.
Hammer Time!
When it comes to the most famous trousers in pop a certain Stanley Kirk Burrell AKA MC Hammer can perhaps lay claim to have the pair at number one on the list. Hammer Pants. They are actually similar in style to ‘Baggy Trousers’ (see above) however the key design differences were the taper at the ankle the lighter material and bright colours.
They were inspired by Arabian culture and during the height of his fame, MC Hammer was rarely seen without them.
As far as famous trousers in pop go, you can’t touch them!