Under the Influence: Michael Jackson's "Hold my Hand"

Say what you will about his quirks or his issues, Michael Jackson was and always will be a musical genius in my book. I remember listening to the “Free Willy” song and feeling this sense of empowerment, like I could do anything. Or just that I really, really, wanted to have a pet whale. I just discovered an amazing duet with the King of Pop and his good friend Akon that brought back all those feel-good moments for me. It’s called “Hold my Hand”, and the video made me tear up a little. Take a listen:

So in honor of the late MJ, today’s Under the Influence is a pretty direct interpretation of his iconic style. Luckily for you, cropped pants and penny loafers are in this season, but if you’re not feeling a military style jacket, perhaps a flowy white button-up top could do the trick? If you’re feeling extremely literal, a sequin-encrusted glove may be a necessity. Either way, individualism is key when it comes to channeling Michael, so let loose, have some fun, and grab your crotch just once.