Dolly Parton Defined Country Music Glam With Her Iconic Looks Throughout The Decades

Feb 27, 2023 by apost team

When it comes to country music royalty, Dolly Parton is easily one of the most iconic names in the business. Known for her impeccable songwriting skills and unique singing voice, Parton has been a huge influence on the music industry for decades with hits such as "Jolene," "9 to 5," and "Coat of Many Colors." She also penned and originally recorded "I Will Always Love You" in 1973 before it was later made famous by vocal powerhouse Whitney Houston in 1992.

With her vibrant, bubbly personality, unique vocal tone, and beautiful songwriting skills, Parton has become one of the most well-loved entertainers in Hollywood. 

Parton's musical talents became known early on, and before long, she began writing her own songs. After graduating high school in 1964, Parton moved to Nashville, Tennessee, to become a star. 

Being one of the trailblazers in the male-dominated genre of Country music, Parton has inspired a generation of music artists because of her art and how she styled herself throughout the years. 

Not only was she considered a music icon, but her sheer presence and charisma onstage shone through because of how well-dressed and fashionable she was. 

Parton broke down her most iconic looks that defined Country music glam in the past five years that she has been in the limelight in a 2020 Vogue video. 

Looking back on her red carpet outfits, album cover photoshoots, and even film wardrobe, Parton's recollection of each look was packed with a sentimental story of her humble beginnings and eventual success in the industry. 

Dolly Parton (1980), (Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)

Parton started off with her iconic "Jolene" album cover photo shoot in 1974. Fresh off from releasing her biggest hit at the time, Parton gave a shout-out to her dearest and probably oldest designers, Lucy Adams and Ruth Camp – the people responsible for the white puffy-sleeved jumpsuit and blue striped top that she wore on the album cover. 

While she always favored getting help from her designers and stylists, Parton also had creative freedom in choosing what she wanted to wear at times. In her "Here You Come Again" album, released in 1977, Parton admitted that it was only she who decided what to wear on the album cover photo shoot. Not knowing that the album would be her first Platinum record, Parton's simple red polka dot sleeved shirt tied in a knot on her belly and blue jeans ensemble was cemented on all the albums sold at the time. 

In the 1980s, Parton strutted the red carpet with Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin on her first movie premiere, "9 to 5." Ann Roth, who she credited as the film's costume designer, built her the beautiful flowery pink see-through gown

"I remember feeling pretty, and I felt like that I was well dressed and not half-assed like sometimes you are," she admitted. "I just remember that was probably the first time I had felt like that I was fashionable."

In 1984, in Parton's third film, "Rhinestone," with Sylvester Stallone, the singer/actress was decked up in a white high-slit body-hugging gown that accentuated her bosom. Although Parton admitted that the movie was not a blockbuster hit as she had expected, she still considered it to be one of her bests because she spawned two Top 10 hits at the time – "Tennessee Homesick Blues" and "God Won't Get You."

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Dolly Parton (2005), (Scott Gries/Getty Images)

Parton also gushed about her outfit at the time when Oprah Winfrey graced her variety show, "Dolly." She thanked her designer Tony Chase for her shimmering, intricately-designed gold outfit, which was partnered with broad shoulders that Parton got candid about in the Vogue video. 

"This was one of my favorite little dresses," she confessed. "He was always trying to put me in all these clothes, had these big old shoulders, and all those stuff that were fashionable. I said, 'Tony, just gotta tone it down a little, ain't nothing big about me but my mouth and my boobs [sic]." 

Chase was also responsible for Parton's memorable "Saturday Night Live" hosting and guesting gig in 1989. Perhaps the most distinguished one was her black bodysuit dazzled with gold beads on the collar, belt, and wrists, matched with her beaded closed-toe heels too. 

Since then, the bedazzled top and pants ensemble that Parton had became her blueprint for the years to come – but was changed and customized depending on the occasion. 

In 2005, she rocked a Victorian gold and white sleeved corset with gold-embroidered denim pants – which screamed Country music glam in her performance with Elton John at the Country Music Association Awards at the time. 

As she explained her style, she also mentioned that she always tends to wear a lot of makeup.

"I know that I always like to wear a lot of makeup. More than probably I should wear, but I think more is more, and whoever made up that 'less is more' is full of it," she told the magazine

Parton stunned in her white Robert Bahar dress at the 29th Annual Kennedy Center Honors in 2006, which she confesses to feeling "special" at a very special night dedicated to her artistry. 

Dolly Parton (2006), (Scott Suchman/WireImage)

Indeed, Dolly Parton's fashion made her one of the most-loved and best-dressed entertainers there is! Are you a Dolly Parton fan? What can you say about her fashion style throughout the years? Do you think she still looks beautiful and fashionable up until today? Let us know, and pass this on to your family, friends, and other Dolly Parton fans!

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