The music world has lost one of its greats: Dolly Parton, the legendary country singer, has died at age 80. Along with her musical discography and impressive philanthropic work, Parton was renowned for her impressive wardrobe. Over the years, the iconic star cultivated a glamorously tacky look that was built around her bleach-blonde wigs, skin-tight clothes, and sky-high heels. “I always laugh when I get called a fashion icon,” Parton told Vogue back in 2023.
“I’m more of an eyesore! Only because I overdo it.”
Whether you think it’s an eyesore or iconic, Parton’s signature aesthetic was the focus of her 2023 book titled Behind the Seams: My Life in Rhinestones—exploring Parton’s fascinating life through style, tracing her journey from Tennessee to Hollywood. “If somebody thinks I’ve done something that they can draw from, then I’m happy with that!” Parton told Vogue at the time.
“I had a lot of laughs looking at those pictures, thinking, ‘Oh my Lord, was I serious about that?’”
In honor of her incredible legacy, Vogue is revisiting some of the stories behind Parton’s inimitable wardrobe. Based on our 2023 interview with her, Parton shared the main fashion rules that she lives by below. Be unapologetic
“I was always a little bit flamboyant, even before I could afford to buy clothes.
When I got to where I could actually
When I got to where I could actually pick and choose [what I wore], I was drawn to color and tight clothes—anything just a little bit different than everybody else. I always [toed] the line, and sometimes I was willing to cross it in order to look like I wanted to look.”
Find style inspiration in the unexpected
“When I was little, I patterned the way I looked after the town tramp in our hometown…I thought she was the prettiest thing I’d ever seen.
She had the peroxide blonde hair piled up on top, with red lips and fingernails, the high heel shoes, the tight skirt. I thought she was amazingly beautiful. I was a creative child, so I would find ways to make those things possible—using a burned matchstick for eyebrows or eyeliner, or mashed-up honeysuckle for perfume.”
Don’t follow trends
“I never cared what other people did, and I never cared what other people said about what I wore.
It was more important that I be comfortable in my own clothes and in my own self. I couldn’t afford to be fashionable, and I wasn’t smart enough to follow those trends—nor did I have the time to do it. I was more interested in my music and in my work.”
Dress to your strengths
“I’m short and I’m kind of curvy, so I can’t just wear things that a big, tall person would wear.
I try to accent my positive things—and try
I try to accent my positive things—and try to stay away from the negative ones. I have big boobs and a tiny little waist, so I have to be careful about not having real thick fabric. Whether it’s leather or denim, I look for silhouettes that play up my best features. If I have too much stuff going on up top, then it’s just too overwhelming.”
Know the power of wigs
“[My first hairstylist] Colleen Owens introduced me to my first hairpiece—they used to be called falls—that you could add to your own hair and give you extra bulk.
And it was through her that we found wigs. She was so creative. The wigs were wearing me—I wasn’t wearing the wig! But I loved all the intricate little things that Colleen used to do. It was always the bigger, the better. I started wearing wigs because I quickly realized that bleaching and teasing my hair every day would cause breakage and not look good. It was handy to have several looks that I could just choose from, and never have a bad hair day.”
When it comes to shoes—the higher, the better!
“I feel pretty in a heel. I’ve loved high heels before I even knew I was going to be short. I wear heels every day. I have them custom made. It’s important that you have a shoe that’s built to fit your arch, and to where your body weight is on that. I thank God that I’m able to do that. I have bought shoes off the rack at times, but then you’ll get a blister or it’ll hurt here or there.
I love the extra height [they give you], and I’ve always thought they were sexy. They make you look powerful.”
Source: www.vogue.com
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