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!
Meet Antoine Cheval: “The Frenchman Who Chose to Marry Himself After Facing Repeated Rejections”
In a world where traditional relationships and marriage are often viewed as life milestones, Antoine Cheval, a French man, has taken a bold and unconventional step by marrying himself. After experiencing numerous failed relationships and repeated rejections to his marriage proposals, Antoine, who identifies as a “sologamist,” chose to commit to the most important relationship in his life: the one with himself.
Who is Antoine Cheval?
Antoine Cheval is a French individual who, following years of personal challenges and heartbreak, made the radical decision to marry himself. His embrace of sologamy—also known as autogamy—emerged as a response to repeated romantic disappointments. By choosing to marry himself, Antoine made a profound statement about self-love and personal worth. His self-marriage ceremony included all the traditional trappings: vows, a reception, and guests, symbolizing his commitment to living authentically and on his own terms.
Antoine’s journey is part of a broader trend where people around the world are exploring self-marriage as a way to affirm their independence, self-worth, and emotional fulfillment. He sees his act not just as personal, but as a challenge to societal norms surrounding love and relationships.
What is Sologamy?
Sologamy, or self-marriage, is the act of committing to oneself in a ceremony that symbolizes self-love and independence. While it lacks the legal standing of traditional marriage, sologamy is a symbolic gesture that underscores a person’s dedication to their own happiness and well-being. Practitioners of sologamy often view it as a celebration of self-empowerment and a way to prioritize their personal growth.
Critics argue that self-marriage is purely symbolic and does not confer the legal or social benefits of traditional marriage. Supporters, however, see it as a powerful affirmation of self-worth and a rejection of societal pressures to find validation through others. For many, marrying oneself represents a commitment to personal happiness, emotional health, and independence.
Self-Marriage Celebrations
Self-marriage ceremonies often mirror traditional weddings, complete with vows, guests, a reception, and even a wedding cake. Some individuals also undergo counseling or personal reflection to prepare for the emotional commitment of marrying themselves. These ceremonies provide an opportunity to reflect on past relationships, embrace self-love, and move forward with confidence.
While often associated with affluent women in the 21st century, sologamy is not limited to one gender or demographic. People from various backgrounds have embraced the practice, viewing it as a way to prioritize self-care and redefine what it means to be fulfilled.
Notable Examples of Sologamy
Antoine Cheval is not the only person to make headlines for marrying himself. In 2014, British photographer Sophie Tanner celebrated her self-marriage with a ceremony attended by friends and family. Tanner explained that she wanted to honor herself as an independent woman, free from societal expectations.
In 2017, Italian fitness trainer Laura M married herself following a divorce, citing the act as a means of reclaiming her identity and empowerment. Her ceremony included traditional wedding elements, symbolizing a fresh start and a renewed commitment to herself.
In 2022, Kshama Bindu, a woman from Gujarat, India, became the country’s first known sologamist. She married herself in a traditional Hindu ceremony, complete with cultural rituals, after deciding she didn’t need a partner to experience the joy of being a bride. Bindu, who identifies as bisexual, described her self-marriage as an act of self-love and a challenge to societal norms.
Self-Love and Personal Empowerment
The rise of sologamy challenges conventional ideas of love and relationships by emphasizing self-acceptance, independence, and emotional resilience. While not everyone may embrace the concept of self-marriage, it highlights the importance of cultivating a healthy relationship with oneself. By marrying themselves, individuals like Antoine Cheval demonstrate that love doesn’t always have to come from a partner—it can come from within.
Antoine’s story, along with those of others who have embraced sologamy, serves as a reminder that self-love is foundational to personal happiness. Their actions encourage a broader dialogue about the value of prioritizing oneself and finding fulfillment independent of societal expectations.
So, whether or not sologamy resonates with you, it offers an important lesson: loving and valuing yourself can lead to greater empowerment, happiness, and emotional well-being.
“To Antoine Cheval and everyone who dares to put themselves first—may your stories inspire others to embrace their worth, celebrate who they are, and live authentically.” 💍❤️
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