Elton John Reveals His Favorite – and Least Favorite – Fashion Moments Since the ’70s

Elton John is making his vast style archive available to the public, with a little help from 21st century technology. In November, the “Rocket Man” singer launched “Elton John Presents: Beyond the Yellow Brick Road,” an interactive virtual reality world on the Roblox gaming platform. As part of the immersive experience, fans can relive her best style moments and add iconic outfits — like her infamous rhinestone-encrusted Dodgers Stadium uniform — to their personal wardrobes.

In a Q&A with POPSUGAR, John, 75, talked about many of his most memorable fashion moments, like the rainbow feathered suit from “Kingsman: The Golden Circle.” He also revealed the fashion trend he hopes will “never see again” and shared the best fashion advice he’s ever given a certain celebrity friend.

John’s six-decade career has produced countless performance looks. And just like his prolific musical repertoire, his ensembles have had a big effect on pop culture. The sequins, the star print and the all bejeweled – it’s that sense of individuality that is unmatched in each of John’s outfits. “I don’t pay too much attention to trends,” he told POPSUGAR. “I wear what I like and what makes me feel good.”

For John, who recently released his single ‘Hold Me Closer’ with Britney Spears, fashion is all about self-expression, which he demonstrates via off-stage Gucci tracksuits and elaborate headdresses and bespoke suits when he is in front of thousands of fans.

“Oh, I think I’ll always love the giant feather costume from ‘The Muppets’ and a movie called ‘Kingsman’,” he says, adding that Lil Nas X had the rare opportunity to wear the look during their joint Uber Eats ad. “I mean, it’s completely impractical, and I remember always having feathers in my mouth when I was singing, but it stuck as a look, and I don’t think a lot of people got past it. or tried to imitate it.”

While not everyone can put together spectacular sets with expert ease, John’s virtual reality world – which he created with the help of LGBTQ+ designers like Jenni Svoboda and Samuel Jordan after hearing about Roblox by her two sons – gives fashion enthusiasts a place to be newly inspired.

“Throughout my career, I’ve sought to find new ways for fans to experience music and new ways to engage with people around the world,” he says. “It’s an endless creative platform and allows fans and creators to be completely themselves, and as flamboyant or down-to-earth as they want. It felt a lot like me.”

Image source: Getty / Dave Hogan / Hulton Archive

When John started his career in the 70s, his sense of style was inspired by the Americana movement and his love for musicians like The Band. While he often wore denim suits, John says he would be happy to never see the fabric again. “I used to wear denim in the early 70s, and I hate denim now,” he says. “I hate it – please cancel it.”

But John loves one particular style he could never part with: his signature eyewear.

“I was born nearsighted, and all the glasses available in England were just awful,” he says. “As soon as I arrived in the United States in 1970, my eyes were opened to a whole selection that was not simple. [They] allowed me to fully express myself. This is why Elton John Eyewear is so important to me. I want everyone to have a range of frames that helps them look and feel. I hope to continue to inspire people to be what they want and who they want to be.”

Along with wearing the eyewear styles that best convey his personality, John is known for offering fashion advice to those in his network, including the likes of Ed Sheeran.

“I put my friend Ed Sheeran in touch with Versace before the GQ Awards a few years ago,” he recalls. “He complained that he always felt boring when he had to put on a suit for award ceremonies. I always told him he wore such boring suits! And I was right. He called me before the awards wearing this colorful Versace blazer and he was like, “You know what? You were right. I feel good.””

Ahead, see some of John’s most famous sets and glasses in the virtual world side-by-side with his IRL outfits.