Songful Style Link Party 8 | “Over the Rainbow” by Israel Kamakawiwo’ole
Marsha, Suzy, and I are back with our eighth Songful Style Link Party where we combine our love for music and fashion into one songfully sartorial post. This month’s song, “Over the Rainbow” by Hawaiian musician, singer, songwriter, and sovereignty activist Israel Kamakawiwo’ole, was chosen by Marsha to inspire our outfits. You can read more here about the history of this classic song, the details of this fascinating artist, and how he gave new life to an old tune making it one the most recognizable songs in commercials, television shows, and movies.
About Songful Style
Songful Style is a new ageless style challenge series hosted by Suzy of The Grey Brunette, Shelbee of Shelbee on the Edge and Marsha of Marsha in the Middle.
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 my fabulous friends and how they have interpreted this song into style…just click their blog links for more songful style inspiration!
- Suzy of The Grey Brunette
- Marsha of Marsha in the Middle
My outfit for this challenge was inspired by the main lyrics and title of the song as well as the artist’s Hawaiian origins.
“Over the Rainbow” (Israel Kamakawiwo’ole Version)
Ooh-ooh-ooh Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh Ooh-ooh-ooh Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh Ooh-ooh-ooh Ooh-ooh-ooh Somewhere over the rainbow Way up high And the dreams that you dream of Once in a lullaby, oh Somewhere over the rainbow Bluebirds fly And the dreams that you dream of Dreams really do come true-ooh-ooh Someday I'll wish upon a star Wake up where the clouds are far behind me Where trouble melts like lemon drops High above the chimney tops that's where You'll find me, oh Somewhere over the rainbow Bluebirds fly And the dream that you dare to Oh why, oh why can't I? I Someday I'll wish upon a star Wake up where the clouds are far behind me Where trouble melts like lemon drops High above the chimney top that's where you'll find me Oh, somewhere over the rainbow way up high And the dream that you dare to Why, oh why can't I? I Ooh-ooh-ooh Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh Ooh-ooh Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh Ooh-ah-ah-eh-ah Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah
I decided to layer a tropical floral printed kimono over a colorfully striped sundress. While the stripes are not in the colors of a rainbow, I always refer to this particular dress as my rainbow striped dress so it made sense for it to represent the rainbow part of this song. The tropical floral print on my kimono reminds me of some far off island paradise like Hawaii so it also made perfect sense to wear it somewhere over the rainbow dress. That somewhere happened to be the gardens behind the Jefferson County Historical Society about a mile from my house. But that was as far as I was willing to travel for these photos as I am still recovering from this wicked crud that my boys brought home from school for me. Thanks boys, I really appreciate it. Ha. Actually, they have been super sweet to me all weekend, taking great care of their ailing mama.
I accessorized with my green floral slippers, my bright straw bag, a colorful multi layered necklace, and my tagua nut earrings from Big Earrings. I specifically chose these earrings because tagua nuts grow in tropical places ranging from southern Central America to South America. Although these nutty earrings are not native to Hawaii, I still think they added a little extra to the tropical vibe of my outfit. And if they didn’t, they at least kept with the rainbow theme.
I love the way this look turned out, however, it is getting too cold now to wear such things so this outfit was photographed and then quickly put back on hangers until next spring. Until then, I shall be dreaming of warm paradises that exist somewhere over the rainbow.
What would you wear to take a trip somewhere over the rainbow?
If you would like to join us for next month’s Songful Style challenge, we will be hosting a link party on October 31, 2022, featuring our outfits inspired by Suzy’s song choice, “Look What You Made Me Do” by the very inspiring and extraordinarily talented Miss Taylor Swift. I will share more details tomorrow about this song to help inspire your next outfit creation. Happy styling!
Featured Favorite from “Mama” by Beth Hart
Lizzie of Lizzie in Lace
Keeping it on the edge,
Shelbee
Joining these Fabulous Link Parties.
Outfit Details: Dress and Necklace-Torrid / Robe-Target / Shoes-New Chic / Earrings-Big Earrings / Bag-Burlington Coat Factory
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
I am a midlife woman, wife, and stay-at-home mother of 2 boys and 2 cats. I have a passion for helping other women feel fabulous in the midst of this crazy, beautiful life.
24 Comments
Suzy Turner
Shelbee, you look absolutely stunning in this outfit, and I would never have known that you were ill! I really hope you’re feeling much better today, my friend!
As for your outfit creation, I think it’s brilliant. I love how you included some Hawaiian elements in a nod to the wonderfully talented late Israel (I’m not going to try and spell his surname!). This was such a lovely style prompt. I’m excited for the prospects of Taylor Swift’s song next month too!
Get well real soon!
Big hugs
Suzy xx
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thank you so much, Suzy! I wish I had more rainbow things to work with, but I was really happy with this dress and kimono combination. I am feeling a bit better each day, but I was up most of the night coughing my face off! You know how that goes, every time you lie down the post nasal drip chokes you half to death! As for Israel’s surname, I have no typed it once, relying solely on copy and paste features! Ha. I am excited for the next song challenge!
xoxo
Shelbee
Jennifer
You look so beautiful Shelbee!!
Jennifer
Curated by Jennifer
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thank you so much, Jennifer!
xoxo
Shelbee
Tamar Strauss-Benjamin
Love the stripes! Such a beautiful look.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks, Tamar!
xoxo
Shelbee
Ruth
I love your gorgeous outfit Shelbee. It’s bright and beautiful just like your smile! Hope you have a great week xx
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Aw, Ruth, thank you so much for your kind words! I hope you are having a wonderful week as well!
xoxo
Shelbee
Michelle
I adore this outfit, Shelbee! Perfect for the Songful Styles theme, and just down right gorgeous in general. The print mix is always an added bonus, and an element I always love. It’s starting to cool off here, so I imagine it’s really chilly in upstate NY.
I hope you are thoroughly mended from the crud soon!
Michelle
https://mybijoulifeonline.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thank you, Michelle! You know I love a good print mix, too! But I would love it more if I were crud-free! Ha. This crud is hanging on for the long run, I think. I haven’t been off my couch in 5 days!
xoxo
Shelbee
Patrick Weseman
Looking so very nice and your outfit is perfect for the song. Very nice.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Patrick! I really appreciate that. I have so much fun with this series.
xoxo
Shelbee
Anita Ojeda
What a fun outfit! I love that it’s inspired by a song written by an Indigenous musician. Your slippers are gorgeous!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Anita! This is such a fun series learning about music and musical artists and then combining it with my favorite hobby…playing dress up!
xoxo
Shelbee
Marsha Banks
Oh, Shelbee!!! This is THE perfect look for this song! I really wanted to go with a rainbow theme, but alas and alack, I have no rainbows in my closet. And, I’m not going to rectify that as I’m trying to cut down on my shopping after unpacking all of those clothes! And, the addition of the earrings for a tropical nod…chef’s kiss! Those slippers are magnificent and fit the look so well! Love the location, too!
I hope you are well on the way to being 100% better!
http://marshainthemiddle.com/
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Marsha! I don’t blame you for not adding more things to an abundant closet. I am really trying hard to stop the overindulgence when it comes to clothing, shoes, and accessories. I have quite enough already! I thought I was improving but then I get to about mid-morning and start feeling wiped out again. I have heard from others that this current crud that is circulating is lasting 2-3 weeks. Ugh. I am bored and tired of it already!
xoxo
Shelbee
Joanne
I did think “rainbow dress!” as soon as I saw it. While it may not have all the colors of the rainbow it does remind me of one. Hope you’re feeling better soon! We all had the cruds for a good week or 2 after our vacation.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Aw, thanks, Joanne! I have one other rainbow dress that has better colors but the style wouldn’t work with a kimono. These cruds are something remarkable, aren’t they? I have been completely wiped out and have barely gotten off the couch for the past 5 days. I am getting bored and really far behind on things that need doing! I hope you are all feeling better now!
xoxo
Shelbee
Maureen
Such a colorful outfit! I adore everything about it and it truly does bring a smile to my face. Something about colors that is just so happy, isn’t it? It’s still hot in my neck of the woods so if you don’t mind sending over some cooler weather here I’d appreciate it! 🙂 I hope your week is off to a great start and happy Monday!
Maureen | http://www.littlemisscasual.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Maureen! I do love a good colorful outfit to boost one’s spirit and I will gladly send you some cooler weather if it means I get some extra warmth in the middle of winter! Haha. I do like this time of year best except it has been raining for days! I hope you have a wonderful week ahead, my friend.
xoxo
Shelbee
Emma Peach
This is such a beautiful look! Your hair looks lovely, it really suits you long!
Emma xxx
http://www.style-splash.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Aw, thanks so much, Emma! I rarely wear my hair down because it just gets in my way but I do love it this way!
xoxo
Shelbee
Carol
I love the gorgeous colors in this outfit. It’s interesting how the colors are distributed throughout the stripes and the floral print pattern. Of course, the shoes are fab!
Thank you for participating in Talent-Sharing Tuesdays Link-Up 35.
Carol
http://www.scribblingboomer.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Aw, thanks so much, Carol! I was really pleased with how this came out!
xoxo
Shelbee