Style Icon: Elton John

Rocking the stage as a music legend and fashion icon, Elton John is an influential individual in the rock and roll industry. In an interview with Vogue Elton said, “If I was a woman, I would spend all my money on handbags, shoes, and accessories. Women’s accessories are so incredible.” His striking, unique style has been present since his first debut, but certainly took some twists and turns to evolve into the eclectic style we see today.

Let’s get into it RRR fans:

1960s - When Elton was first launching his career in the hip 60s, his first publicity photo shoot featured the not-so-subtle side of him, and thank goodness for that! “For some reason, the sight of me clad in this striking ensemble failed to galvanize record buyers into the shops,” Elton said about this outfit. As the hippies of the decade would say, “Elton was not quite boss yet,” meaning that he wasn’t all that cool for the times.

1970s - Despite a slow career start, Elton’s name began to catch fire across the music industry. Exploring more as an artist in both his craft of music as well as fashion he landed a star on Hollywood Boulevard, an impressive success so early in his career! Elton can be seen wearing a suit decked out in gold stars, very fitting for the event. Of course, he topped off the look with his signature accessory, a pair of bold sunglasses. 

1980s - Toward the end of the 1970s and early 1980s Elton began to branch out into more costume-like outfits. Elton said in an interview with Vogue, “I didn’t want to repeat myself. I wanted, as I became more and more famous, to become more outrageous.” Elton began to grace the stage as characters such as at his show in Central Park where he appeared as Donald Duck; an outfit designed by Bob Mackie, one of Elton’s favorite designers.

1990s - The decade when Elton turned 50 and did so in extravagant style. When planning his birthday outfit he asked designer Sandy Powell to make him look like “King Louis the 14th on acid.” Arriving at his party in a furniture lorry to accommodate his abundantly large wig that was held in place with glue and knitting needles, it certainly was the outfit of all outfits. 

2000s - The turn of the decade brought a switch in Elton’s style, one that was more refined and elegantly fabulous featuring more suit coats, colorful frames, funky patterns, and of course shiny sequins or rhinestones. Take for example his all black look with a cheetah pattern made from sequins and a pair of purple wired frames he wore to the 2000 Grammy Awards.

2010s - Staying true to his love of glitz and glam, this decade brought more truly amazing, themed, and bedazzled jackets. Strutting on stage at the 2014 Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival in a waistcoat with flames and the Rocketman album cover made out of rhinestones, Elton always knew how to keep his look hot. 

2020s - During his “Farewell Yellow Brick Road” tour, Gucci was the primary designer for all of Elton’s stage looks. His outfits played with floral prints, bright pigments, and elegant embellishments from pearls and gems. Now, even though he is no longer performing, his looks remain the vibrant, fashionable star we have always known him to be.

To hear more from Elton himself, Vogue has a video interview with him that explores his fashion evolution over the years. 

Elton truly was a pioneer for music and fashion over his long and successful career. His influence is experienced not only by his fans but also by current music stars today such as Harry Styles. 

“Throughout my career, clothes have been so important. Without that process of dressing up and looking different and having fun, I would never have been the artist that I became,” said Elton. Fashion is truly transformative, a wearable form of our personalities—wear it and rock it!

Sarah - A gal wishing she could be one of Elton John’s designers