Welcome to the March edition of Songful Style! Hosted by myself, Shelbee (Shelbee on the Edge) and Marsha (Marsha in the Middle), Songful Style is a collaboration featuring outfits inspired by songs. We’re also inviting anyone who would like to join us to post their own outfits in the link-up below. It doesn’t matter from what angle the song inspires the outfit—it can be from the lyrics, the title, the tune itself, the album cover, or even the music video. Last month our song was chosen by Shelbee and was Elton John’s I’m Still Standing. This month, our Songful Style inspiration song was chosen by Marsha, and is Girl on Fire by Alicia Keys (scroll right down to the bottom to read the lyrics).
WOW what a fabulous song to feature for this month’s outfit challenge. As soon as Marsha told us her song choice, I was excited! It’s one powerful anthem, isn’t it? It’s all about embracing your strength, passion, and inner fire. When Alicia sings about being ‘a girl on fire,’ she’s talking about feeling confident, unstoppable, and fiercely independent. The lyrics celebrate self-discovery and empowerment. It’s about urging women to recognize their own potential and to never let anyone or anything dim their light. It’s about owning your uniqueness, your dreams, and your journey and I freaking LOVE THAT!!
Not to mention the catchy beat and Alicia’s soulful voice just add to the song’s energy, beauty and vibe. It’s like a reminder to everyone, especially women, that they have the power to conquer anything they set their minds to. I’m totally in that mindset right now so this song just reaches right down into my soul and my heart lol!
So, how did I style Girl on Fire? Well…I knew I wanted to wear a pencil skirt because Alicia wears them in her video, and as I’ve actually only got one (!) it’s this old black and white striped skirt that was a gift from my late MIL. I think a pencil skirt is so flattering because it really emphasizes a woman’s shape and can make you feel sexy. The only problem with this one is it’s quite tight and it was literally making me shuffle instead of walk LOL! SO not sexy lol.
As for the rest of the outfit, I wanted to wear things that made me feel confident and what best way to do that? Wear a colour that you LOVE. I absolutely adore this royal blue top. It’s one of those tops that makes me feel confident whenever I put it on. Unfortunately, living in quite a warm climate (not to mention the hormonal hot flushes), I’m quite limited on when I can wear it, with those mid length sleeves and super high roll neck. Soon, it will be banished to the back of the wardrobe until it’s cool enough to wear again. I’m always on the look out for more things in this shade of blue because I just think it’s one of my best colours to wear.
Speaking of which, I love strong, rich hues of all kinds. I’m lucky enough to be able to wear pretty much all of them. And this shade of purple is another favourite. The swing coat was another gift from my late MIL quite a few years ago and the heels are so old but a firm favourite. They’re also very comfortable. I have them in grey too, but I much prefer the rich shade of purple, don’t you? I added my purple handbag just because I could (!) which belonged to my MIL. I’m not afraid to match things—I happen to think matching shoes and a handbag can look super polished. I also love it when they don’t match. What I don’t love is when someone says you ‘shouldn’t wear certain things’! Wear whatever the heck you want to wear if you feel fabulous in it! And I felt fabulous in this Girl on Fire outfit, which was exactly what I was going for. Do you feel me? lol
I tried the super hero pose but it didn’t quite work with this shape of skirt LOL!!!
I should also mention my hair. I decided to have a centre parting which really emphasizes my white ‘stripes’ which I just happen to love! I know a lot of women out there hate grey hair and will do everything possible to hide it. Not me. I love showing off the whites that I have well and truly earned over the years, and I really feel confident in my authentic self, which is what the song is all about, right?!
The music video is so beautiful with it’s rich colours and lighting. If I’d have given myself enough time (I never do with these challenges lol, I always leave it to the last minute!), I would have also shot some photos indoors to try and get the same blue and green lighting effect. Oh well…next time perhaps?!
Now, don’t forget to check out how Marsha and Shelbee (Shelbee on the Edge) (Marsha in the Middle) both styled this inspirational song and link up your posts below. And I’ll see you soon!
Girl on Fire lyrics
She’s just a girl, and she’s on fire
Hotter than a fantasy, lonely like a highway
She’s living in a world and it’s on fire
Filled with catastrophe but she knows she can fly away
Ooh-oh, she got both feet on the ground
And she’s burning it down
Ooh-oh, she got her head in the clouds
And she’s not backing down
This girl is on fire
This girl is on fire
She’s walking on fire
This girl is on fire
Looks like a girl but she’s a flame
So bright, she can burn your eyes
Better look the other way
You can try but you’ll never forget her name
She’s on top of the world
Hottest of the hottest girls say
Ooh-oh, we got our feet on the ground
And we’re burning it down
Ooh-oh, got our head in the clouds
And we’re not coming down
This girl is on fire (fire, fire)
This girl is on fire
She’s walking on fire (fire, fire)
This girl is on fire (ooh)
Everybody stares as she goes by
‘Cause they can see the flame that’s in her eyes
Watch her as she’s lighting up the night
Nobody knows that she’s a lonely girl
And it’s a lonely world
But she gon’ let it burn, baby, burn, baby
This girl is on fire (fire, fire)
This girl is on fire
She’s walking on fire (fire, fire)
This girl is on fire
Ooh-oh, ooh-oh, ooh-oh
Ooh-oh, ooh-oh, ooh, ooh-oh
Ooh-oh, ooh-oh, ooh, ooh
Ooh-oh, ooh-oh, ooh, oh
She’s just a girl but she’s on fire
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