The Story Behind Dolly Parton’s Big Hair, High Heels and Unforgettable Style

Rhinestones, sky high heels, and a voluminous blonde wig that could double as a fire hazard, according to her own jokes. That was the signature look of Dolly Parton, the prolific musician, actor, and philanthropist who died at 80 years old. Long before her music made her a household name, her style had already made her impossible to miss.

The Backwoods Barbie Aesthetic

Parton’s looks blended her Tennessee roots with an unapologetic, over the top take on feminine glamour, an idea she summed up perfectly with her self given nickname “Backwoods Barbie.” Long acrylic nails, a full face of makeup, and heaps of glitter were constants. She met criticism with humor rather than defensiveness, famously joking that it cost a lot of money to look this cheap, a line that only endeared her further to fans.

Where the Vision Began

Parton’s style was fully formed before she ever became famous. “When I moved to Nashville in 1964, I already had some ideas about what I wanted to look like onstage, and off,” she wrote in her 2023 book “Behind the Seams.” She noted that country stars needed big hair, sparkle, and a Cadillac, and she had the hair covered early on. Surprisingly, she also credited risqué Frederick’s of Hollywood catalogs as an early style influence.

Defying the Label

Not everyone embraced Parton’s vision right away. She recalled that when she signed to Monument Records in 1965, label executives wanted to flatten her hair and dress her in the streamlined style of other 1960s pop stars. “I hated everything about it. I felt naked,” she wrote. She stuck to her instincts instead, later explaining she always felt better being more flamboyant rather than toned down for anyone else’s comfort.

The Signature Elements That Never Left

Certain details became inseparable from Parton’s image over the decades: shoulder pads, plunging necklines, a cinched waist, and lace were sartorial non-negotiables. Fringe was another favorite, often layered onto classic country staples like cowboy hats and bell bottom jeans, always finished with sparkle and vibrant color. Even her softer looks carried volume, like the billowing white shoulders on her 1973 “Jolene” album cover.

Working With the Best in the Business

Parton collaborated with major designers throughout her career, including Bob Mackie, who created a wing like “Butterfly” gown for her 1979 TV special with Carol Burnett. Mackie also dressed her and Oprah Winfrey in matching looks for her variety show “Dolly.” In 2000, she wore a vibrant, fringed yellow skirt suit with matching heels to a White House luncheon promoting her children’s literacy charity, Imagination Library.

The Wigs, the Wardrobe, and the Machine Behind It

Parton reportedly wore around 300 custom outfits a year, styled by her longtime collaborator Steve Summers. He told Vogue that everything she wore was custom, even pieces that started as off the rack dresses. “There is an outfit in production every single day,” he said, adding that ten outfit changes in a single day of appearances was not unusual for her. Her closet also held hundreds of wigs, all sharing the same signature bleach blonde shade.

A Style That Never Chased Trends

While fashion cycled through decades of change, Parton’s look remained remarkably consistent. Summers told Vogue that the great thing about working with her was that she never followed fashion trends at all, and her style barely shifted over the years. She kept the sparkle and stilettos well into her 70s, performing at a college football game in 2023 looking every bit as glamorous as she had decades earlier.

Inspiring Generations of Fans and Stars

Parton’s influence has echoed across generations, with her goddaughter Miley Cyrus appearing in synchronized outfits alongside her, Beyoncé channeling her for a cover of “Jolene,” and Sabrina Carpenter leaning into her signature butter yellow curls. British photographer Alice Hawkins spent a decade photographing fans living out their own Dolly inspired looks for her 2022 book “Dear Dolly.” Parton even once entered a Dolly lookalike contest herself, and lost.

A Legacy Bigger Than Any Outfit

Underneath the glitter and big hair was a message anyone could adopt, with or without the rhinestones: “I’m gonna be me, cause I know who I am and you don’t.” Parton’s style was replicable in its details, but its real power was the confidence behind it. As fans and fellow artists continue to pay tribute to her in the wake of her passing, that fearless self assurance may end up being her most enduring legacy of all.