Elton John style: The Rocketman's fashion evolution

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Saturday night's alright for fashion

Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images; Paul Natkin/Getty Images; Stephane Cardinale/Sygma via Getty Images

Sir Elton John is “pretty much the most flamboyant rock star that has ever lived,” according to Rocketman costume designer Julian Day — and have we got the pictures to prove it. In honor of the new biopic’s release, starring Taron Egerton as the legendary singer-songwriter, here’s a brief history of John’s life in sparkles, in feathers, and in so many sunglasses. Check out how his singular style has evolved over the years in the photos ahead.

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In the ’60s…

Val Wilmer/Redferns

John — still legally named Reginald Dwight at the time — was still just launching his career in the ’60s, and still finding his extravagant style. Pictured here in 1968, in one of his first publicity photos.

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In the ’70s…

Jack Robinson/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

John started to really find his extravagant look as his profile rapidly rose. Photographed here in 1970, in the same star-spangled shirt he wore when he made his U.S. debut in a legendary show at West Hollywood’s Troubadour — a scene (and a garment) recreated in Rocketman.

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In 1972

George Wilkes/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

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Meeting Princess Margaret and Lord Snowdon on Feb. 27, 1972

Michael Putland/Getty Images

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Performing in 1973

Alan Messer/REX/Shutterstock

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Performing in 1974

Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

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Performing in May 1974

Anwar Hussein/Getty Images

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Performing at Dodger Stadium in 1975

Chris Walter/WireImage

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Receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Oct. 23, 1975

Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

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Performing in the mid-’70s

Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

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Performing on The Muppet Show in 1977

David Dagley/REX/Shutterstock

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Performing with Miss Piggy on The Muppet Show in 1977

David Dagley/REX/Shutterstock

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In the ’80s…

Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

It was the decadent decade, and John was all in. His performance-wear became more outrageous and more costume-y, like this State of Liberty ensemble, worn for a portrait session in New York City in 1980.

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Performing in 1982

Richard E. Aaron/Redferns

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Performing in New York on Aug. 6, 1982

Ebet Roberts/Redferns

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Performing in London in December 1982

Pete Still/Redferns

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Performing in London on Dec. 16, 1982

Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

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Performing on Dec. 3, 1984

McCarthy/Express Newspapers/Getty Images

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Performing at Live Aid on Jul. 13, 1985

Pete Still/Redferns

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Performing in 1986

Ebet Roberts/Redferns

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Performing in Rotterdam on Apr. 23, 1986

Rob Verhorst/Redferns

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Performing in Bloomington, Minn., on Aug. 22, 1986

Jim Steinfeldt/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

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Performing in Hoffman Estates, Ill., on Aug. 23, 1986

Paul Natkin/Getty Images

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In the ’90s…

Stephane Cardinale/Sygma via Getty Images

The ’90s brought a knighthood, an Oscar, and a new relationship for John — not to mention a whole new wardrobe of dazzling looks! Pictured here having a leather monochrome moment while performing in Paris in 1994.

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Performing with RuPaul in 1994

Rino Petrosino/Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images

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Performing on Sept. 15, 1995

Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images

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Arriving at his 50th birthday party with David Furnish in 1997

Dave Hogan/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

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In the 2000s…

Mick Hutson/Redferns

It was a brand-new millennium of stagewear for John, now in his 50s and typically favoring fabulously embellished suits, like the one pictured, worn performing in London on Jul. 9, 2000.

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Performing in New York City on Oct. 20, 2000

Gabe Palacio/ImageDirect

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With Whitney Houston at John's annual Oscar party on Mar. 25, 2001

Kevin Mazur/WireImage

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Performing in Sydney on Nov. 29, 2006

John Stanton/WireImage

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Arriving at a party with David Furnish on Dec. 17, 2006

Claire Greenway/Getty Images

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In the 2010s…

Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

Sir Elton became a husband and a father in the 2010s, and his new life inspired him to launch his official farewell tour in 2018. (The end of the decade also brought along a certain film about his own life, which he also produced.) Amid all the change, however, the star’s fashion remained as dazzling as ever; pictured here, he performs at the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee concert at Buckingham Palace on Jun. 4, 2012.

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Performing with Meryl Streep and Sting in New York City on Apr. 3, 2012

Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images

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Performing at the Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival on Jun. 15, 2014

Douglas Mason/Getty Images

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On the red carpet at the Grammy Awards on Jan. 28, 2018

Kevin Mazur/Getty Images

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Performing in New York City on Nov. 9, 2018

Kevin Mazur/Getty Images

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With Taron Egerton at the Rocketman photocall at the Cannes Film Festival on May 16, 2019

Samir Hussein/WireImage

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At the premiere of Rocketman at the Cannes Film Festival on May 16, 2019

Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images

Replay gallery

Account

Rock it, man: Elton John's fashion evolution

1 of 41

Saturday night's alright for fashion

2 of 41

In the ’60s…

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In the ’70s…

4 of 41

In 1972

5 of 41

Meeting Princess Margaret and Lord Snowdon on Feb. 27, 1972

6 of 41

Performing in 1973

7 of 41

Performing in 1974

8 of 41

Performing in May 1974

9 of 41

Performing at Dodger Stadium in 1975

10 of 41

Receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Oct. 23, 1975

11 of 41

Performing in the mid-’70s

12 of 41

Performing on The Muppet Show in 1977

13 of 41

Performing with Miss Piggy on The Muppet Show in 1977

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In the ’80s…

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Performing in 1982

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Performing in New York on Aug. 6, 1982

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Performing in London in December 1982

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Performing in London on Dec. 16, 1982

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Performing on Dec. 3, 1984

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Performing at Live Aid on Jul. 13, 1985

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Performing in 1986

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Performing in Rotterdam on Apr. 23, 1986

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Performing in Bloomington, Minn., on Aug. 22, 1986

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Performing in Hoffman Estates, Ill., on Aug. 23, 1986

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In the ’90s…

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Performing with RuPaul in 1994

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Performing on Sept. 15, 1995

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Arriving at his 50th birthday party with David Furnish in 1997

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In the 2000s…

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Performing in New York City on Oct. 20, 2000

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With Whitney Houston at John's annual Oscar party on Mar. 25, 2001

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Performing in Sydney on Nov. 29, 2006

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Arriving at a party with David Furnish on Dec. 17, 2006

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In the 2010s…

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Performing with Meryl Streep and Sting in New York City on Apr. 3, 2012

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Performing at the Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival on Jun. 15, 2014

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On the red carpet at the Grammy Awards on Jan. 28, 2018

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Performing in New York City on Nov. 9, 2018

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With Taron Egerton at the Rocketman photocall at the Cannes Film Festival on May 16, 2019