Celebrating 80 Years of Dolly Parton: A Journey Through Her Most Iconic Moments

At 80 years young, the one-and-only Dolly Parton remains an absolute icon of country music and pop culture. From chart-topping hits to her unmistakable larger-than-life persona, Parton has long embraced a “more is more” approach to fashion—one that’s bold, unapologetic and always designed to stand out.

To celebrate her milestone birthday, we combed through her unmatched catalogue of statement-making looks to find the best of the best. She once famously said, “It costs a lot of money to look this cheap,” but we think you’ll agree: Dolly Parton’s sense of style is truly priceless.

1976: U.K. Country Music Festival

Making her British debut at the U.K. Country Music Festival in London, Parton paired skin-tight pant suit with sky-high hair for an absolutely glamorous performance. Well known for believing “the higher the hair, the closer to heaven” Parton is absolutely in her element here, with artfully stacked curls and wispy bangs that frame her face.

Dazzling in pale pink, beading fans in an aura around the neckline and down her arms, drawing your eye up. For her first time in the UK, Parton absolutely floored with this rock glam look.

1978: Playboy Cover

Somehow later worn by Keanu Reeves for Halloween that same year, this iconic bunny look remains one of Parton’s all-time best.

At 32, Parton became the first country music star to appear on the cover of Playboy, though she pointedly did not appear nude. Her interview offered an honest, bold look at her personal philosophy, opening with her preempting the first question: “Hi. I’ll save you the trouble of askin’: Why do I choose to look so outrageous?”

Her answer reveals exactly why she’s been a fashion icon for so long. “It’s fun for me,” Parton says. “It’s like a little kid playing with her paints and colors. I like to sit and tease my hair. If there’s something new on the market in makeup, I like to try it.”

1980: 9 to 5 Premier

Making her film debut, Parton’s role in 9 to 5 changed the game for her. In 2020, she told Vogue that the premiere was intimidating. “I got to dress up like I was a city girl in this [film] and I’ve never even thought about being fashionable, I just always wore things that fit me,” Parton says. “But I thought, for something as big as a premiere, I needed to be fancy and I didn’t know how to do that.”

The Ann Roth gown, shown here with attendee and friend Jane Fonda, was a vision in pink satin and lace.

“I thought it was a beautiful dress,” Parton says. “I remember feeling really pretty, and I felt like I was well-dressed and not half-assed like sometimes you are. And I just remember that was probably the first time I ever really felt like I was fashionable.”

1984: Promo Shoot for Rhinestone

In her next big-screen move, Parton starred as a beleaguered country singer tasked with fixing up New York cabbie, Sylvester Stallone, into a bona fide country crooner. The promo shoot for the film, featured in Country Music Magazine shows Parton’s touch of glamour even in a more laid-back denim look.

Charming and understated in a red lip and cowboy hat, there are still those tell-tale sparkles on her collar. Red plaid and high-waisted jeans will never ever go out of style, and this look proves that.

1987: Performing on Dolly!

It’s entirely possible that Parton set a record here for the most pearls ever worn onstage. Just look at the delicate, high-glam luxury of the gown. The high collar resembled dozens of stacked pearl necklaces, finished with iconic pearl fringe. It’s a look that belongs on any list of Parton’s best.

She looks nothing short of expensive, despite her long history of “looking cheap.”

1988: Promo Shot for The Dolly Show

Hosting her own variety show on ABC was no easy feat, but Parton looked effortlessly elegant in this all-sequined look. The ’80s were notorious for shoulder pads, but she’s always known how to balance proportions to deliver maximum glamour and drama.

While the show only lasted one season, Parton still had a good time. “I managed to enjoy it,” she told Interview Magazine in 1989. “I decided to do the most with the parts that were workin’ and enjoy that, and not to let it drive me crazy. I loved the clothes, I loved the guests that we had, I loved to get the chance to meet people, I loved the chance just to do it. And I learned a lot—what to do and what not to do. I don’t think the show hurt my career.”

1996: Performing on The Tonight Show

This is Parton’s version of understated. Perfecting the mid-’90s straight half-ponytail, Parton stunned in an all-black ensemble for The Tonight Show. A classic red lip and matching nails provided the perfect pop of color against the monochrome styling.

There’s something romantic and soft about the moment. It steps away from the more outlandish, sparkly styles she’s often known for. That contrast may be why this appearance regularly lands on roundups of her best fashion moments.

2006: The Oscars

For her second Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song—following her first nod for 9 to 5 in 1981—Parton stunned in a light pink, intricately detailed gown.

The nominated song, “Travelin’ Thru,” was written specifically for the film, which centers on a trans woman and her son. In press materials for the soundtrack, Parton said, “It’s a remarkable movie that touches you in every single place of human emotion.”

Around this time, Parton’s sky-high hair evolved into a piecey, feathered style that brushed her shoulders. Most importantly, it still retained plenty of volume—even if it wasn’t quite as close to heaven as it used to be.

2016: ACM Awards

No stranger to the ACM Awards, Parton has often taken the stage to perform during the ceremony. This time, she absolutely killed it in a bedazzled pantsuit.

Playing with shine and color, her blazer served as a clear nod to Coat of Many Colors, her 1971 hit. The off-white trousers balanced the statement jacket perfectly—and the bedazzled tie was the finishing touch.

2022: 37th Annual Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony

Just in case anyone thought Parton was slowing down in her late 70s, her Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction performance—and the leather jumpsuit she wore—quickly set the record straight.

“I figure, if I’m going to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, I’m gonna have to earn it,” Parton says before launching into Rockin’, which she wrote just for the occasion.

Her look, complete with oversized jewels and gold chains, perfectly captured what fans love most about Parton: she never stops having fun with fashion.

2023: Thanksgiving Halftime Performance at AT&T Stadium

For her NFL Thanksgiving halftime performance, Parton went full stage glam. Her crystal-covered, Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders–inspired look was styled with her signature teased blonde hair, bold eye makeup and a glossy red lip.

“Well, hello, Texas!” she asked the crowd onstage. “You like my outfit?” As you might expect, they made their approval crystal-clear.

2025: Debuting Dolly’s Joleans With Good American

Parton teamed up with Good American, co-founded by Khloé Kardashian, to launch Dolly’s Joleans, a size-inclusive denim capsule inspired by her personal style. For the campaign, Parton leaned into playful glam with blue-and-pink eyeshadow, glossy lips and her trademark big hair.

The collection includes rhinestone-embellished jeans, corset-style tops and gingham details, bringing her stage-ready aesthetic into wearable, everyday pieces. “Clothes can tell a story, and Dolly’s Joleans is another chapter in mine,” Parton said of the collaboration.

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