10 of the Weirdest Outfits We’ve Ever Seen in Music History
Fashion and music have always been intertwined, with artists often using their attire to make bold statements or simply to stand out. While some musicians are celebrated for their chic and elegant styles, others are remembered for their bizarre and sometimes downright outrageous fashion choices.
In the world of heavy metal, where pushing boundaries is almost a prerequisite, some outfits have become legendary for all the wrong reasons. Today’s article will shine some spotlight on ten of the weirdest and worst outfits ever worn by heavy metal artists, each one a testament to the genre’s penchant for the extreme.
1. CeeLo Green’s Gold Outfit at the 2017 Grammys
In 2017, CeeLo Green made headlines at the Grammys not just for his music but for his outlandish gold outfit. Complete with a face shield, the ensemble looked more like something out of a sci-fi movie than a red carpet-event.
The outfit was entirely gold, from head to toe, making him resemble a futuristic robot or an Oscar statuette come to life. It was a bold move, but many found it more baffling than brilliant.
The gold outfit was widely criticized for its lack of taste and coherence. While heavy metal fashion often embraces the theatrical, this particular choice seemed to miss the mark entirely. Instead of evoking awe, it left many scratching their heads, wondering what statement Green was trying to make.
2. Rob Halford’s Leather and Studs Ensemble
Rob Halford of Judas Priest is often credited with popularizing the leather and studs look that has become synonymous with heavy metal. However, one particular ensemble from a 1978 concert stands out for its sheer audacity.
Halford took the stage in a black leather outfit adorned with an excessive number of studs, spikes, and chains. The look was completed with a leather cap and mirrored sunglasses, making him appear more like a rock star.
While the leather and studs look has since become iconic, this early iteration was seen as over-the-top even by heavy metal standards. The outfit’s aggressive and somewhat fetishistic elements were shocking to many, and it set a precedent for the extreme fashion choices that would follow in the genre.
3. Paul Di’Anno’s Bullet Belt and Leather Jacket
Iron Maiden’s original singer, Paul Di’Anno, was known for his rebellious style, but his choice of a bullet belt and leather jacket during a 1980 concert was particularly controversial. The bullet belt, a nod to military and biker culture, was seen as provocative and even offensive by some. Paired with a heavily studded leather jacket, the outfit was a stark contrast to the more polished looks of other rock stars at the time.
The combination of military imagery and heavy metal aesthetics made Di’Anno’s outfit both memorable and divisive. While some fans appreciated the raw, unfiltered aggression it represented, others found it distasteful and inappropriate. The outfit’s shock value and the conversations it sparked about the boundaries of fashion in music ensure its place on this list.
4. Udo Dirkschneider’s Military Pants
Udo Dirkschneider, the former lead singer of Accept, is credited with introducing military pants to heavy metal fashion. During a 1982 concert, Dirkschneider took the stage in camouflage pants, a look that was both unexpected and polarizing. The military-inspired attire was a departure from the leather and denim typically associated with the genre, and it quickly became a topic of discussion among fans and critics.
The military pants were seen as a bold statement, reflecting themes of rebellion and anti-establishment sentiment. However, they also drew criticism for their potential political connotations and the way they clashed with the band’s overall aesthetic.
5. King Diamond’s Corpse Paint and Spiked Gauntlets
King Diamond, the frontman of Mercyful Fate, is known for his theatrical stage presence and elaborate costumes. One of his most infamous looks featured corpse paint, spiked gauntlets, and a flowing black robe. The corpse paint, a black-and-white makeup style designed to make the wearer look like a cadaver, was complemented by the menacing spikes on his gauntlets, creating a truly terrifying appearance.
While the look was undeniably striking, it was also criticized for being overly dramatic and bordering on parody. The combination of corpse paint and spiked accessories was seen by some as trying too hard to be shocking, detracting from the music itself.
6. Blackie Lawless’s Codpiece and Chains
Blackie Lawless of W.A.S.P. is no stranger to controversial fashion choices, but his codpiece and chains ensemble from a 1984 concert takes the cake. The outfit featured a large, metal codpiece adorned with chains and spikes, paired with leather pants and a studded vest. The look was both provocative and absurd, drawing attention for all the wrong reasons.
The codpiece, in particular, was seen as a tasteless attempt to shock and provoke. While heavy metal fashion often embraces elements of sexuality and aggression, Lawless’s outfit was criticized for being crass and lacking in subtlety.
7. Alice Cooper’s Snake and Top Hat
Alice Cooper is a master of shock rock, and his use of props and costumes is legendary. One of his most bizarre outfits featured a live snake draped around his neck and a tall top hat, worn during a 1973 concert.
The combination of the slithering reptile and the Victorian-era headwear was both unsettling and surreal, creating a visual spectacle that left audiences both fascinated and horrified.
8. Gwar’s Extraterrestrial Armor
Gwar, the satirical heavy metal band known for their elaborate and grotesque stage costumes, has a long history of outlandish outfits. One of their most infamous looks is the extraterrestrial armor worn by lead vocalist Oderus Urungus during their 1990 “Scumdogs of the Universe” tour.
The costume featured oversized shoulder pads, spiked gauntlets, and a helmet with menacing horns, all designed to make him look like a warrior from another planet. The sheer absurdity of the outfit, combined with its intricate design, made it both a spectacle and a subject of ridicule.
9. Slipknot’s Jumpsuits and Masks
Slipknot, the nu-metal band known for their aggressive sound and chaotic live shows, took stage attire to a new level with their matching jumpsuits and masks. Debuting this look in the late 1990s, each member wore a unique mask that ranged from terrifying to bizarre, paired with industrial-style jumpsuits. The masks included everything from clown faces to gas masks, creating a nightmarish ensemble that was both unsettling and memorable.
While the jumpsuits and masks were intended to create a sense of unity and anonymity among the band members, they also drew criticism for being gimmicky and overly theatrical.
10. Marilyn Manson’s Bodysuit and Contact Lenses
Marilyn Manson, the controversial figure in shock rock and heavy metal, is no stranger to provocative fashion choices. One of his most notorious outfits was a skin-tight bodysuit paired with eerie white contact lenses, worn during his 1996 “Antichrist Superstar” tour. The bodysuit, which left little to the imagination, was designed to make Manson appear androgynous and otherworldly, while the contact lenses added a haunting, inhuman touch.
The outfit was widely criticized for its explicitness and the disturbing image it projected. Many saw it as an attempt to provoke and unsettle audiences, which it certainly did. The combination of the revealing bodysuit and the unsettling contact lenses created a look that was both shocking and unforgettable.
Manson’s willingness to push the envelope with his fashion choices has made this outfit one of the most talked-about in heavy metal history, embodying his persona as the ultimate provocateur.