Elton John glasses.

Elton John once boasted that he owns over a quarter million pairs of glasses. That’s over 250,000 frames embellished with rhinestones, feathers, carvings, crystals and other unexpected details within The Elton John Glasses Collection. Back in 2011 the famously flamboyant singer even wore a pair of glasses with a gnome on them while attending the movie premiere of Gnomeo and Juliet.

So how did Elton John glasses become such an integral part of a brand and why does Elton John wear glasses? After all, in much of pop culture eyeglasses are worn by the bookish kids, yet Elton John single-handedly seems to have turned wearing eyeglasses into an art form.

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• When did Elton John start wearing such outrageous frames anyway?
• Some of Elton John’s most iconic eyeglasses moments
• Elton John glasses collection in pop culture
• Peep these Elton John inspired glasses frames

When did Elton John start wearing such outrageous frames anyway?

Top Elton John Glasses Styles

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Sir Elton Hercules John (born Reginald Kenneth Dwight) started collaborating with lyricist Bernie Taupin back in 1967, but it wasn’t until the 1970s that he also started very publicly expressing his style through Elton John’s glasses and sunglasses. One of the reasons for this is that the way glasses were made changed drastically.

Natalie Mertz, creator of Rock N Roll Oracle, an illustrated deck of cards with musicians representing different archetypes, said “In the ‘70s, materials for lenses and frames became much more advanced, thick glass frames were replaced with thinner plastics and so it became easier for eyeglass designers to experiment and play.” 

And if you pay attention to the rock stars of the era, it was all about attention getting.

About that time the glam rock trend was reaching its peak and especially for performers, fashion and accessories became increasingly over the top. Artists including David Bowie and the members of KISS turned their faces into their canvases. For Elton John, it was more about creating a focal point for his favored accessories, a pair of prescription eyeglasses. 

Why does Elton John wear glasses?

Unlike the 1950s when glasses wearing singers like Buddy Holly represented more of a nerdy prototype, for Elton John it was about expressing himself through his glasses frames.

And so when the Elton John glasses collection was debuted his most memorable frames in the 1970s, it was because new shapes and colors were available. Mertz said “Eyeglass lenses in unique shapes like stars and circles, multi-color resins for frames, feathers, small lights, sequins, glitter,” were brought to John to choose as his signature specs.

Some of Elton John’s most iconic eyeglasses moments

When Elton John released his Greatest Hits album in 1974, he posed in an extravagant pair of glasses with a bright blue stone in the center. That same year he appeared in concert wearing a metallic puffer jacket and frilly feathery frames. In the ‘80s, John’s eyeglasses were mostly about bright colors and vintage inspirations, while he went more streamlined in the 1990s.

Elton John glasses collection in pop culture

When Elton John appears on screen in any capacity there’s an unwritten rule that his glasses are always a major part of his character.

Pinball Wizard: In the 1975 film Tommy by The Who, Elton John appeared as the nerdy Pinball Wizard complete with stilts and huge round sparkly round glasses. 

Rocketman: In 2019, Taron Egerton portrayed Elton John on the big screen complete with 53 pairs of glasses. In an interview, costume designer Julian Day said he got his inspiration everywhere from Rio Carnival and Venetian carnivals to drag queens. 

South Park and The Simpsons: Elton John appeared as his animated self in two popular series, though in South Park his look included a signature outfit and star-shaped glasses.

Peep these Elton John inspired glasses frames

Want to try for your own Elton John look with your next pair of frames? We have a few suggestions to help you channel your own inner Rocketman (or Rocketwoman!).

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Star power: These Stella McCartney frames only look traditional. A small star embellishment reminds everyone that you’re always a bit extra.

Architectural masterpieces: We love the way these oversized metal frames by Gucci have an unexpected bright pops of color and embellishments.