Dolly Parton’s Best Looks

By Katie Colley and Melissa Romualdi. 19 Jan 2023 1:34 PM

On Jan. 19, 1946, the queen of country was born!

Since then, Dolly Parton has given us the biggest hair and the highest heels — not to mention some of the best songs in country music. It’s safe to say nobody can pull off the head-to-toe glitz and glam like Dolly.

To celebrate her 77th birthday, we’re taking a walk down memory lane to embrace some of the Tennessee songbird’s best looks (so far).

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1990: ‘The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson’

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Photo: Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic, Inc

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Shutterstock

Debby Wong/REX/Shutterstock

Photo: Steve Granitz/WireImage

Photo: Taylor Hill/Getty Images

2021: Kiss Breast Cancer Goodbye Concert

Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images

Photo: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic

Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images for ACM

2022: Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony

Photo: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

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1965: A Young Dolly
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Even at the young age of 19, Dolly Parton was sure to make a statement. This is just one of the many prime examples the Tennessee-born singer proved: the higher the hair, the closer to heaven.
1978: Playboy
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If you thought you would see Dolly naked on the cover of Playboy, you thought wrong. In 1978, Dolly became the first country singer to appear on the cover of the magazine but left her nudity to the imagination, wearing the iconic Playboy bunny outfit.
1978: American Music Awards
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In 1978, Dolly took home the AMA award for Favourite Country Album and gave us a more feminine look in this green, floral embroidered jumpsuit. She even rocked a flower crown in her shorter ‘do way before they were a thing!
1990: ‘The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson’
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Fringe, sparkles, big hair, she did it all, and for that - we will always love you, Dolly. The singer performed on “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson” wearing a glitter-embellished maroon gown and debuted a straighter, but just as big hairdo.
2005: CMA Awards
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Plain, straight leg jeans? She has never heard of it. At the CMA Awards in 2005, Parton performed alongside Elton John in the most fun flared jeans we have ever seen.
2006: 78th Academy Awards
Photo: Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic, Inc
Dolly tucked away her denim and pearls and slipped into a stunning baby-pink Robert Behar gown for the Oscars in 2006. She let the chiffon number speak for itself with minimal accessories and tamed hair.
2009: Tony Awards
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A blonder-than-ever Dolly Parton posed at the 2009 Tony Awards in an all-white look, wearing a blazer dress draped in sparkles, of course.
2014: Glastonbury Festival
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The blonde beauty took the stage to perform in front of a record crowd at the Glastonbury Festival in 2014. She was sure to impress in this bedazzled white trouser suit that even included rhinestone studded guitar — it doesn’t get more Dolly than that!
2016: ACM Awards
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In 2016, Dolly channeled her song “Coat of Many Colours” in this rhinestone blazer that she paired against cream-coloured trousers and sky-high Louboutin’s.
2017: ACM Honours
Debby Wong/REX/Shutterstock
Fast forward to 2017, she’s still got it! Dolly looked pretty in pink, showing off her amazing figure while accepting an award for her philanthropic work at the ACM Honours.
2019: Grammy Awards
Photo: Steve Granitz/WireImage
Parton brought some red hot style to the red carpet at the Grammy's in 2019.
2019: CMA Awards
Photo: Taylor Hill/Getty Images
Dolly opted for an elegant cream dress featuring intricate beading, sequins, and lace for the 2019 CMAs.
2021: Kiss Breast Cancer Goodbye Concert
Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images
After laying low during the COVID-19 pandemic, Dolly returned to the stage to perform for a worthy cause at the 2021 Kiss Breast Cancer Goodbye Concert, where she rocked a bold pink jumpsuit.
2022: ACM Awards Red Carpet
Photo: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic
The “9 to 5” singer slayed in her first outfit of the night while attending the 57th annual American Country Music Awards, where she served as the host. Dolly hit the red carpet in a metallic and black outfit featuring a sequin high-neck top and a crystal fringe skirt. She completed the look by pulling back her blonde locks in a voluminous updo.
2022: On Stage At The ACM Awards
Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images for ACM
During the awards show, the country star stepped into a plunging body-hugging silver jumpsuit made up of tiny mirror glass pieced that dazzled on stage.
2022: Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony
Photo: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Dolly closed out a successful year as an inductee at the 37th annual Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony at Microsoft Theater. Opting for an edgier ensemble, the beloved musician channeled her inner rock star while performing onstage in this black leather jumpsuit with bedazzled shoulder pads, flare legs, gold chains and red crystals.

Dolly Parton’s Best Looks

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