34 Times Dolly Partons Fashion Stole the Show

Publish date: 2024-10-07

On Thursday, May 11, Dolly Parton is co-hosting 58th Academy of Country Music Awards with fellow country legend Garth Brooks. To celebrate her big day and her iconic career, we’re taking a look back in time to all of Parton’s best fashion moments over the years.

CLEVELAND, OH - JULY 18: on the first day of the Republican National Convention on July 18, 2016 at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. An estimated 50,000 people are expected in Cleveland, including hundreds of protesters and members of the media. The four-day Republican National Convention kicks off on July 18. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Whether she’s in subdued black or bright yellow, 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 — and be sure to watch the ACM Awards on Thursday!

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.
Shining Bright
Parton shined bright in this beaded white gown at the 1988 People’s Choice Awards.
Picture Perfect
For Parton’s The Dolly Show, Parton took this breathtaking portrait in this crisp white gown with stunning shoulders and a sexy sky-high slit.
Golden Girl
Parton was a true golden girl as she filmed Dolly in 1987 in this golden embroidered gown with silver detailing.
Decked Out in Pearls
In this 1987 fashion moment for Dolly, Parton might have broken a record for the number of pearls a dress could hold. So stunning!
Fringe Galore
Parton brought out the fringe in this figure-hugging white dress with orange details as she performed back in 1983.
A Blushing Movie Star
Parton wore this off-the-shoulder pink lace gown to the 9 to 5 movie premiere. So beautiful!
Brighter Than the Sun
Parton proved yellow is her color in this 1978 portrait — looking like a true disco queen.
A Playboy Bunny
Changing it up from her usual appearances, Parton graced the cover of Playboy in 1978. A country playboy bunny!
’70s Glamour
Dolly Parton looked oh so glamorous in this white off-the-shoulder gown with a high slit she wore on a red carpet in 1970.