Muhammad Ali: His greatest fashion hits

Crisp suits, bowler hats and stylish pre-match boxing robes — here’s a vintage flashback at the impeccable style of ‘the greatest’ Muhammad Ali.

An icon for millions, legendary boxer Muhammad Ali wasn’t an inspiration only for his fearless personality, indomitable will and willingness to stand up for what he believed in. His sharp sense of dressing spoke a lot about the 6 feet, 3 inches tall man, who knew that all eyes are going to be on him.

His sharp sense of dressing spoke a lot about the 6 feet, 3 inches tall man, who knew that all eyes are going to be on him.

From pulling off crisp pinstriped suits, bowler hats and flower lapel pins to bling accessories and stylish pre-match boxing robes, Ali was always ahead of his time. “Muhammad Ali always wore dapper suits. He had rhythm in and out of the ring,” says designer Nikhil Mehra. “I remember Ali making style statements in colourful, immaculately-designed boxing robes,” says designer Anand Bhushan.

Read: Muhammad Ali changed my life: Will Smith

The late legend, who died this Friday at age 74, was known for making quite an entrance at press conferences in suave suits, his signature black wayfarers and tonnes of attitude. Here’s a flashback at the champ’s greatest fashion hits over the years.

The boxer’s chic pre-match robes always made for great pictures. Check out this fun moment with singer Elvis Presley (L). Muhammad Ali is wearing a robe gifted to him by Presley back in 1973. It had the phrase, “The people’s choice” inscribed on its back.

Ali had absolute clarity on everything, especially how he wanted to look. Here, he sports a sleek black waist-coat with a classic white shirt and a tie

He maintained his stylish stance even outside the ring! Here, he is seen casually strolling the streets in a retro leather jacket

Back in 1968, Ali was among the first sports stars to start the trend of turning up in suits for pre-match conferences. His trademark style was incomplete without black wayfarers and bling accessories

Ali always cut an animated figure at pre-match conferences. Here, he is seen sporting a slim bow-tie and a checkered jacket