34 Times Dolly Parton’s Fashion Stole the Show

Whether she’s in subdued black or bright yellow, Dolly Parton always shows off her signature style. Always wearing items to hug her figure and show off her best assets, Parton has created her classic look that fits just about any occasion. “I have never thought of myself as being fashionable,” she told Vogue. (We beg to differ, Dolly!) “I’ll just tell you what, I know about how I look and why I look that way,” she added.

In that Vogue video, Parton herself reflected on some of her most iconic looks, including the off-the-shoulder lace pink gown she wore to the 1980 premiere of her hit movie 9 to 5. “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,” she said. “But I thought, for something as big as a premiere, I needed to be fancy and I didn’t know how to do that.” Indeed, Dolly looked fancy — ethereal and so so sweet.

Talking about another look — a white lace dress she wore to perform at the 2019 Grammys — Parton reminisced about performing with her goddaughter Miley Cyrus, who joined her to sing with her onstage that night. “We felt very pretty,” she said, adding that her outfit was designed by Steve Summers. “They’re like family to me,” she said.

Take a look at those ensembles and more of Dolly Parton’s most iconic looks below — in honor of her 80th birthday today!

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Silver Fox

Dolly Parton wowed as she walked the carpet for the 58th Academy Of Country Music Awards in this silver fringed jumpsuit. Love the shoulder pads!

Pedal Pusher Queen

Dolly doesn’t do casual, even when she does! This playful (but still Dolly-level bedazzled) black ensemble paired with clear, seemingly pearl-lined pumps turned heads. She rocked the look on the white carpet event for her All Access Pop-Up Store at the Star in Frisco, Texas, just days before the 58th annual Academy of Country Music Awards

Red Frills

Parton performed at ACL Live for her very own Dollyverse event at SXSW 2022. The red paired with the sun-bleached, bedazzled jeans perfectly fit the modern country aesthetic of the tech event.

New Year’s Fun

In another performance with Cyrus, Parton joined Miley’s New Years Eve Party wearing this sexy black and leopard print catsuit with a side cutout on the legs.

Leather Lover

A little bit country, a little bit rock n’ roll: Parton got decked out in black leather during the 37th Annual Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in 2022.

Vegas Cowgirl

In March 2022, Dolly Parton performed during the 57th Academy of Country Music Awards at Allegiant Stadium in Vegas, and we are getting some old Vegas Elvis vibes here with this whole cowgirl with a dream look!

Mirror Mirror

At the 57th Academy of Country Music Awards in 2022, which she co-hosted, Parton looked every bit the shining star she is in this jumpsuit adorned with a mosaic of mirrored pieces all over.

All in the Layers

At the 53rd annual CMA Awards, Parton stole the show as she took the stage in this cream-colored layered off-the-shoulder dress with pink details.

A Family Affair

Parton wore this gorgeous white lace dress as she sang with goddaughter Miley Cyrus at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards in 2019.

Sexy in Black

In one of her most sheer ensembles to date, Parton looked stunning as she performed in this beaded black lace number at the MusiCares Person of the Year event.

Matching the Decor

Parton almost perfectly matched the colorful background at the 51st Academy of Country Music Awards red carpet in this colorful blazer and cream pants.

Rainbow-Colored

Parton embraced all the colors of the rainbow in this beautiful beaded dress at the Pure & Simple Benefiting The Opry Trust Fund event.

Her Cruella Moment

Parton looked like a modern-day (but much, much nicer!) Cruella de Vil in this black and white ensemble with a striped vest, polka dot shirt, and fringed skirt.

What an Honor

In 2006, Parton was honored at the 29th Annual Kennedy Center Honors at John F. Kennedy Center. “This one was a very special night for me and I wanted to look special and feel special and I did,” Parton told Vogue.

An Oscar Nominee

In 2006, Parton was nominated for an Academy Award in the Best Original Song category for “Travelin’ Thru.” At the event, Parton took our breath away in this intricate light pink gown.

Getting Inspired

During the 2005 Country Music Association Awards, Parton sang the Beatles’ “Imagine” with fellow icon Elton John. Speaking to Vogue, she explained the inspiration behind her over-the-top denim and gold look. “I was trying to look like Elton John,” she admitted.

Such a Showgirl

If you think Parton only wears dresses, think again. Though a fitted dress may be her signature look, she occassionally wears cropped jumpsuits like this off-the-shoulder embellished one at the Sovereign Center in 2004.

Boho Chic

Taking fringe to a more bohemian style, Parton wore this floral pink and red gown to the Tennessee Film & Music Commission’s industry reception in 2002.

Print-Forward

Parton proved she’s not afraid of prints in this red and white dress as she performed for the Today Show in 2002.

Ombré Ready

Also on The Tonight Show With Jay Leno, Parton rocked this blue ombré dress with feathers in 1999.

An All-Black Moment

Parton loves color so seeing her in all-black is rare, but also quite exciting. She looked stunning on The Tonight Show With Jay Leno in this off-the-shoulder black dress, paired with straight hair and red lips.

Keeping It Patriotic

Parton embraced the American stars and stripes during a performance on the Oprah Winfrey Show in 1991.

Bring on the Red

Parton rocked this red gown with gold details while performing on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson in 1990.

LEmon Yellow

Parton wowed in this soft lemon-yellow two-piece outfit at a performance in 1990.

Stealing the Show for ‘Steel Magnolias’

Shirley MacLaine, Daryl Hannah, Sally Field, and Julia Roberts all starred in Steel Magnolias alongside Parton and yet we’d argue all eyes were on her during the Ziegfeld Theater premiere when she wore this bejeweled gown.