Fashion Icon

Most people are probably most familiar with Henry VIII as the hulking British king who notoriously engaged in conflict with the Catholic Church and executed two of his six wives. The Tudor king, however, also made an enduring impression as a modern fashion icon.

Henry, a man with no shortage of charisma, originality, nerve, or talent, invented the square-toed shoe and the puffy-sleeved velvet jacket. He is said to have spent up to 16,000 ducats (approximately $3 million) on apparel each year.

Sumptuary Laws, a set of rules that limited the colors that commoners might wear, were also enforced by the dynamic ruler. For instance, purple was reserved for the royal family solely, a custom that originated among the elite of ancient Rome.