Elton's rumble in the jumble

Going for a song: Fans delve into Elton's hand-me-downs

By BBC News Online's Dominic Bailey

Sequined, diamond-studded, see-through and garish - and that was just the customers.

Fashion gurus and music aficionados rummaged through the most outrageous jumble sale London's New Bond Street has ever seen.

With Sir Elton John's Liberace-style costumes decking the walls of the serene gallery shop, fans searched the thousands of items donated by the singer and his partner David Furnish for the charity sale.

Most people at the Out of the Closet III sale were on the hunt for a bargain. And what bargains!

Worth the wait: Fashion fans queued for hours

Renowned for his ability to blow £30m in just under two years, it seems even Sir Elton's casual wear would make bank managers tremble.

Baseball caps were a snip at £5, shirts and shoes from £20, but leather jackets and the rainbow selection of suits topped around £500.

That's before you dare a glance at the price tag of stage costumes, the most expensive in electric blue and purple, with matching gown, costing at least £25,000.

Christmas presents

Individual shoppers, some a little coyly, spent thousands of pounds, bags bulging with Elton John hand-me-downs.

Belts, shirts, jumpers and suits - everything with a designer label: Gianni Versace, Jean-Paul Versace, D&G all at High Street prices, or thereabouts.

Sadly, not a spiralling pink wig in sight.

I'm looking for a little bit of glitter

Elton fan William Carbury

Friends and family of a lady who would only give her name as Eliska are in for some interesting Christmas presents after her £600 lunchtime spree.

"I came in on the spur of the moment and I got waistcoats, shirts, belts and sweaters.

"His style is outrageous, but fun. They are all going to outrageous people."

Congolese sales assistant Adrian Peradje, 30 from Tottenham, was a little concerned about what his wife would think of his new suits.

"Elton is my idol in the fashion world. I was expecting suits to be something like £150 but they are more like £250 or £350. My wife is going to go mad."

Fashion idol

Sir Elton's appeal is varied: fans admire the man, the singer, the writer or the dresser.

Elton look-a-like William Carbury, 43, travelled from Glasgow for the first day of the sale, making sure he got first dibs by queuing at 0500GMT for the 1200GMT opening.

"I love Elton and I love his clothes," he said. "He is unique. I'm looking for a little bit of glitter."

Mr Carbury, who says he shares Sir Elton's more eccentric style, spent around £350 including blue lambswool jumper with crystals, of course.

Lime Green: Richard Green says the suit is not for wearing

For others, the fact that the singer had worn the clothes was enough.

Remember a Versace lime coloured linen suit worn on Elton's 1996 tour?

It now belongs to musician Richard Green, 33, of Kent, who says his own writing style is inspired by Sir Elton's work.

"It's from his phase of solid colours. But I'm not going to wear it."

Hundreds of shoppers queued throughout the afternoon for their chance of an Elton bargain, hoping their favourite tartan trousers or black lace top would still be on the rails.

The sale continues until the garments have all gone, but given the rate of bulging Out of the Closet III bags disappearing through central London, that will not be long.

But whatever the price tag and however guilty you feel, it is all in a good cause with the proceeds going to Sir Elton's charitable Aids foundation which helps people affected by HIV.

Try telling that to the bank manager.