Image via Complex Original
If you're a king who is going to rule a land, lead a movement, or be a champion of the people, then you're gonna need to dress the part. Martin Luther King Jr., who's incredible work and life we celebrate today, was just one aptly named stylish guy who knew that, to be taken seriously, he was going to have to act, and look like a leader. And all types of kings through the ages have lived according to the paradigm.
Whether they were the king of a nation, or king of a cultural phenomenon, these guys dressed in the most opulent clothing that simply stated, "follow me." From the King of Pop to the King of the Elephants, these are the guys who rocked gear like the commanders they were. Here are The 10 Best Dressed Kings of All Time.
10. King Henry VIII
King Henry VIII is remembered for three things: his six marriages. breaking away from the Roman Catholic Church and declaring England a Protestant nation. and dressing and living like a 16th century Bawse.
With his luxurious furs, capes, and debauchourous lifestyle, Henry would've been homies with Rick Ross while making moves that set the course of British history for centuries to come. For the English nation, there was no way they were going to follow a guy's crazy notions to unknown religious waters unless he was draped up all kingly. How do you do the Ricky Rozay grunt with a British accent?
9. Don King
For better or worse, Don King was the man behind the scenes who produced some of the greatest boxing matches of all time. He was the mouthy promoter who, at times, outshined his clients in flash and airtime. In a sport known for its flamboyant attitudes, Don King out-talked and out-dressed them all.
Even though he was infamous for screwing over numerous boxers, young dudes kept flocking to him to organize and promote their come-ups. A big reason for this was certainly the extravagant wardrobe of King's that screamed affluence and mounds of scrilla. In a democratic nation, Don King was a man who converted followers by dressing like the American Dream that he claimed to offer.
8. Elvis Presley
He is simply known as The King. And with the voice, clothes, and moves that drove girls across the country insane, there was no doubt he'd make this list. He was arguably the first certified rockstar, and his clothes might be tame by our standards today, but back then his gear was pretty off the wall. The King was so stylish that he could even make his Army duds look good. Long live the King!
7. Babar The Elephant
After escaping the jungle to the big city, Babar became a well-dressed dandy before returning back to his herd and teaching them the benefits of civilization and sartorial style. As their newly appointed King, Babar oversaw the herd's transformation into a group of steezy elephants who grazed the jungle in crispy suiting, sharp driving outfits, and very #menswear pajamas. Since 1931, Babar was preaching the merits of a well-tailored suit to his followers. How long has your favorite blogger been around?
6. Nat King Cole
With his sweet baritone voice and piano skills, Nat "King" Cole was one of the best-dressed jazz musicians ever. He rose to fame and set the standard of dress for all those who followed his groundbreaking path. Nat and his band slowly gained mainstream success through the 1940s, and King Cole made history in 1956 when The Nat King Cole Show debuted on NBC. It was the first show of its kind to be hosted by an African-American, and broke down serious barriers that Cole had to battle all his life. He made some inroads, but it took another King a few years later to lead the civil-rights movement that would eradicate legal boundaries and change a lot of peoples' minds.
5. King Joffrey Baratheon
This little shithead may be one of the most hated villains of all time, but you can't deny that the incest-born Joffrey Baratheon from "Game of Thrones" dresses like a young gawd. Repping House Lannister means mainly wearing red, but all his robes, capes, and armor are sumptuous garments worthy of royalty. It doesn't matter what cowardly act this blonde base-born turd is committing, the people of King's Landing only have to peep his ornate get-ups to know their ordained ruler.
4. B.B. King
One of the most prolific musicians of all time and hands-down one of the greatest guitar players of all time, B.B. King is hailed as "The King of Blues." And while his style of playing has influenced almost every blues and rock musician who came after him, it's also his amazing wardrobe that's made him one of the best showmen we'll ever see. His clothes perfectly walk the line between showmanship and gaudy, and never outshine his music. B.B. King started recording and performing in 1949 and is still going strong, making his reign as King longer than most.
3. King Louis XVI
Sure he may have been the embodiment of the elite's evils that were the target of the French Revolution, and he may have been the only French king to be the victim of regicide, bringing about the end of 1,000 years of continuous rule, but he did it all in style. In ornate robes and rococo garb, Louis struggled through attempts to modernize and empower the people of France, but ultimately was targeted by his own subjects. They rose up in 1792, chopped off his dome, and proved once and for all that the most important piece of headwear is your head.
2. Michael Jackson
There is no denying that The King of Pop had some of the best style of our time. As a youngster he was at the forefront of stylish dudes, but when he hit his stride in the '80s he was powerful enough to even make glittery shit cool. He may have strayed into very strange territory later in life, but when MJ ruled the world, his steez was definitely a big part of his monumental success.
1. King Jaffe Joffer
As the ruler of the fictitious country of Zamunda, King Jaffe Joffer from "Coming to America" is the best-dressed king of all time. Before you tell PETA that Joffer's lion is dragging on the floor, please remember that reigning over a nation of vast wealth means that, yes, you can accessorize with exotic animals.
Chasing after his son and flying to Queens meant King Joffer had to throw on his travel-gear. So what would be a white tee and sweats for us is several pounds of gold and complicated neckwear for this King of kings. But Joffer isn't completely out of touch with other stylish dudes. He claims to have tied his own shoes once, and called it "an overrated experience."
