Songful Style Link Party #24 | “I’m Still Standing” by Elton John

It is time to share the outfits that were inspired by the song I chose for this month’s Songful Style challenge. Sir Elton John is not only one of the most talented and successful singers and composers of our time, but the man has incomparable style that would inspire any fashion forward human.

I love the lyrics to “I’m Still Standing”, but I love the vibrant and flamboyant outfits that dominate the music video even more. In fact, the video is a brilliant representation of the bold and colorful fashion of the 1980s and I just can’t get enough!

Even though my current style aesthetic is heavy on the hippie boho vibes, I do love an obnoxiously bright attention-grabbing ensemble every now and then. And I think this one would certainly get Sir Elton’s approval.

Inspired by the bright pink suit that Elton wears in parts of the music video, I decided a brightly colored pant suit would be perfect for this challenge. But I don’t have a bright pink or any other brightly colored suit of any sort. So improvisation was necessary.

Conveniently, my bright orange blazer from Torrid and my bright orange pants by Nine West are close enough in color that they look like a matching pant suit. Elton is wearing a vest so I started with my orange fish and bird vest over my black turtleneck but it wasn’t working. The orange is not the right shade and the vest is a bit too small to button. So I ditched the vest and added a brightly colored paisley scarf with the hopes that it would lie just beneath my lapels and look like a vest peeking out. But the wind was not permitting that to happen.

I finished the outfit with sparkly black socks and white patent loafers, my white fedora, orange and gold teardrop earrings, a mushroom necklace, and my new rooster brooch. And finally, my purple Teddy Blake bag added another bright color to this wildly vibrant outfit.

My husband and children all said this outfit looks like it was inspired by Michael Jackson not Elton John. I can see hints of MJ but this look was definitely 100% inspired by EJ! I will likely never have any opportunity to wear such an outfit, but it sure was fun for a photoshoot.

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 Sir Elton John’s “I’m Still Standing”.

• Marsha of Marsha in the Middle
• Suzy of The Grey Brunette

Featured Favorite from Songful Style Link Party #23 | “Humankind” by Coldplay

Daenel of Living Outside the Stacks

If you would like to join us for our next Songful Style challenge, we will be sharing our outfits inspired by Marsha’s song choice on March 25, 2024. She has chosen “Girl On Fire” by Alicia Keyes. I will share more details about the song and artist in the beginning of March. Until then, enjoy the music and happy styling!

Keeping it on the edge, 

Shelbee

Joining these Fabulous Link Parties. 

Outfit Details: Blazer-Torrid / Pants-Nine West / Turtleneck-Charlotte Russe / Hat-Kohl’s / Bag-Teddy Blake / Rooster Brooch-STATE ST. Market / Necklace-Moontide Arts / Scarf, Socks, Shoes, Earrings-Cannot remember their origins