Songful Style Link Party #23 | “Humankind” by Coldplay
Suzy dropped a really difficult style challenge in our laps with her January song choice of “Humankind” by Coldplay. I wasn’t familiar with this song so this was my initial introduction to it. It’s a catchy tune that has a pretty high level of earwormness but I admittedly did not understand the lyrics at all upon first listen.
After doing some online research and gathering background information for my song introduction post, I began to gain some clarity on the type of sartorial craziness I wanted to stir up in my magical closet room. Once I discovered that the song is from a concept album set in a fictional planetary system and that the “people” seem to hail from a planet in that system, I decided to style an outfit that you might encounter on an alien planet inhabited by human-like creatures who dress in very colorful ways. The fog and snow that is the current landscape in the North Country provided the perfect other-worldly backdrop to represent a far-away cosmos.
My outfit began with my colorful star print leggings and a black turtleneck. With a focus on the bright pinks and blues of the lights in the official video and the vibrant graphics in the official lyric video, I layered on this old thrifted dress that once was white but fell victim to my summer tie dying jamboree. Then I added the same preloved pink patterned scarf that I wore for our last Songful Style challenge.
I thought alien people might probably wear sparkles on their feet, perhaps to light their way through the very dreary terrain, so my sparkly combat boots were an obvious choice (if anything about this unique outfit combination can be considered obvious). I completed this far-out look with my tie dye leopard hat, which I also wore for last month’s challenge, and my furry star print coat. For jewelry, I wore my blue glass bead earrings and my blue nebula necklace, which ended up falling inside the neckline of my dress so you can’t even see it.
When I walked out the door wearing this, I felt a little quirkier than normal. But then I saw the pictures and I loved the way all the colors and patterns stood out against the white background. This was a difficult but super fun challenge which is usually how they all end up. And the outfit made me smile which really is the most important part about getting dressed!
About Songful Style
Songful Style is an ageless style challenge series hosted by Suzy of The Grey Brunette, Shelbee of Shelbee on the Edge, and Marsha of Marsha in the Middle. For this series, each month we will share a song with the lyrics and video and we invite you to use whatever aspect of the song that inspires you to create an outfit.
It is similar to Style Imitating Art where we use artwork to inspire our outfit creations. Except Songful Style gives you lyrics, music, video, and album artwork to inspire your fashion creativity. You may even find inspiration in a memory triggered by the selected song. It is all open to your own personal interpretation and just a fun way to discover new music and get a little bit more creative with your wardrobe.
Anyone is welcome to join us on a permanent basis or you can just play along without any obligation to do anything other than feel inspired. We are flexible and fun and just want to find more ways to play dress up because it’s what we enjoy doing!
We will be posting on the last Monday of each month and will announce our song choice for the following month at the end of each post.
Be sure to check out how my songful friends have styled their outfits inspired by Coldplay’s “Humankind.”
- Marsha of Marsha in the Middle
- Suzy of The Grey Brunette
Featured Favorite from Songful Style Link Party #22 | “Flowers are Red” by Harry Chapin
La Moumous
Are you a fan of Coldplay? Would you wear this outfit in public? I know Anne would!
If you would like to join us for our next Songful Style challenge, we will be sharing our outfits inspired by my song choice, Sir Elton John‘s “I’m Still Standing”, on February 26, 2024. I will share more details about the song and artist in the beginning of February. Until then, enjoy the music and happy styling!
Keeping it on the edge,
Shelbee
Joining these Fabulous Link Parties.
Outfit Details: Coat-Kohl’s / Leggings-Torrid / Turtleneck-Charlotte Russe / Dress and Scarf-Thrifted / Boots-SheDazzle / Hat-Wona Trading / Necklace-Gift from husband / Earrings-Vendor Table at Smoked Country Jam
12 Comments
Suzy Turner
Shelbee……I FREAKING LOVE THIS!!!!! You totally nailed it with all the wonderful colours and unique, quirky vibe! I know it was a super difficult challenge this month but they’re usually the ones that end up being the most fun, right?! I also LOVE that we both chose to wear super sparkly shoes (mine much more impractical than yours LOL!).
Your backdrop is absolutely magical and perfect for the theme. I wish I’d have had a better one. I can’t wait for my house to be finished because then I’m going to have lots of options!
Huge hugs
Suzy xx
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Suzy, thanks so much, my friend! This outfit definitely perked me up on a dreary snow covered day! It was a difficult challenge, but like you said, those always end up being the best ones! I’m coming to see your outfit shortly! Have a wonderful week ahead and may your house be finished ahead of schedule!
xoxo
Shelbee
Jennifer
Such a fun outfit!!
Jennifer
Curated by Jennifer
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks, Jennifer! Happy Monday! Have a wonderful week ahead.
xoxo
Shelbee
Melody Jacob
This outfit is so much fun. I can imagine how cold it was.
http://www.meodyjacob.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Melody! We are definitely in the coldest part of winter now and I am so ready for spring!
xoxo
Shelbee
Marsha Banks
Shelbee!!!! What can I say??? This such a fabulous look for the song and challenge! I love how you took it one step farther and got Mother Nature to supply such a wonderful landscape just for you! Your tie dye dress, the star print coat, the sparkly shoes…all so amazingly perfect! I love how you throw yourself 1000% into these challenges!
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Awww, Marsha, thanks so much! While we driving to this location to take these photos, my husband and I were laughing about how I take my style challenges very seriously! Hahaha. I like to capture every little detail that I can in my sartorial interpretations!
xoxo
Shelbee
Daenel T.
Shelbee, you totally nailed the look. I’d never heard of this song either, so your explanation really helped out a lot. The snow adds to the interplanetary vibe.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Daenel! This was a difficult song to style but I really love the quirkiness that it inspired!
xoxo
Shelbee
Patrick Weseman
Very nice. Love how the leggings and the jackegt match. Very cool.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Patrick! This was a fun colorful outfit to wear!
xoxo
Shelbee