A Visual History of Elton John’s Flashiest, Larger-than-Life Looks
Choosing the flashiest look worn by Elton John is a difficult task. The word “iconic” gets thrown around loosely these days, but for 40 years, John has made his mark as the pop star who will stop at nothing to incorporate feathers, sparkles, and those iconic, larger-than-life tinted spectacles into his wardrobe. He’s been a Versace muse, a Gucci muse, and an inspiration to contemporary pop icons (just look at the costume Harry Styles wore for Halloween last year, inspired by John’s bedazzled Dodgers baseball uniform he wore in the ’70s). Simply put, the man has always had a knack for sartorial embellishment, from his “Pinball Wizard” days to his appearance on the Rocketman press tour red carpets. Here, a look back at his most outrageous, over-the-top ensembles.
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Elton John during his first publicity pictures in 1968. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
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Elton John wearing a patched denim jacket circa 1972. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
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Elton John performing live in concert circa 1973. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
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Elton John wearing a red suit, glasses and a cane in 1973. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
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Elton John performing circa 1973. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
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Elton John performing in 1974. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
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Elton John at the Hammersmith Odeon circa 1974. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
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Elton John performs at an open-air concert in May 1974 in Watford, England. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
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Elton John plays the song “Pinball Wizard” in the The Who’s rock opera movie Tommy, which was released on March 26, 1975 in the United Kingdom. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
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Elton John performs in concert circa 1975 in London, England. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
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Elton John during his 1975 performance at Dodger Stadium. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
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Elton John as he was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on October 23, 1975, wearing a suit emblazoned with the names of stars, including his own. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
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Elton John attends an event wearing a white suit and white hat in circa 1977. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
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Elton John performs in concert circa 1976 in London, England. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
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Elton John performs with Miss Piggy in 1978. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
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Elton John circa 1978 in New York City. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
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Elton John wears a Statue Of Liberty costume for a portrait session in circa 1980 in New York City, New York. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
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Elton John performs at the 10th anniversary party for MCA records wearing a sequined cowboy hat with stars on it at the Palomino Club in August 1980 in North Hollywood, California. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
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Elton John at Hammersmith Odeon in 1982. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
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Elton John performs live on stage at Madison Square Garden, New York on August 04 1982. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
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Elton John performing on December 3, 1984. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
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Elton John in black and white tuxedo, wearing sunglasses on December 1, 1984. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
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Elton John performing at the Universal Amphitheatre in 1986. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
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Elton John at the Poplar Creek Music Theater in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, August 23, 1986. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
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Elton John and boyfriend David Furnish at home in London for Elton’s 40th birthday party in 1987. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
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Elton John sighted on June 25, 1987 at Nicky Blair’s Restaurant in Hollywood, California. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
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Elton John in 1988. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
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Elton John attends the 1989 Victoires de la Musique ceremony. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
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Elton John wearing overalls and a large cross necklace in 1991. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
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Elton John attends a Gianni Versace book launch party at his store on London’s Bond Street in 1995. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
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Elton John attends 42nd Annual Grammy Awards on February 23, 2000 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
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Elton John performs live at Twickenham Stoop on June 3, 2017 in London, England. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
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Elton John attends the 60th Annual GRAMMY Awards at Madison Square Garden on January 28, 2018 in New York City. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
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Elton John attends the screening of Rocket Man during the 72nd annual Cannes Film Festival on May 16, 2019 in Cannes, France. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
