Oscar Wilde challenged Victorian norms by wearing flamboyant purple velvet suits and silk stockings.

Oscar Wilde was a leading figure in the Aesthetic Movement of the late 19th century, which advocated for 'art for art's sake.' During his 1882 lecture tour of North America, he famously wore velvet breeches, silk stockings, and buckled shoes to distinguish himself from the industrial-era 'uniform' of dark frock coats. This deliberate choice was a rebellion against the rigid social standards of the Victorian era.Wilde's fashion choices were deeply influenced by the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood and the teachings of Walter Pater at Oxford University. He famously wore a green carnation in his lapel, a symbol that later became associated with the underground queer culture of the 1890s. By wearing knee-breeches, he was also referencing the more decorative styles of the 18th century, which he felt were more dignified than contemporary trousers.In 1887, Wilde became the editor of 'The Woman's World' magazine, where he further explored the intersection of clothing and identity. He argued that dress reform was necessary for both comfort and artistic expression. His flamboyant appearance was so influential that it was frequently parodied in the Gilbert and Sullivan operetta 'Patience,' which debuted in 1881. This theatricality cemented his status as a cultural icon who used his body as a canvas for his philosophical beliefs.