Dolly Parton's Six Unforgettable Fashion Rules

The world of country music mourns the loss of a true icon, Dolly Parton, who passed away at the age of 80.

Beyond her prolific music career and significant charitable contributions, Dolly Parton was celebrated for her distinctive and glamorous fashion sense. Her signature style, characterized by bright blonde wigs, form-fitting attire, and towering heels, became instantly recognizable. Parton herself humorously referred to her look, stating, "I always laugh when I get called a fashion icon... I’m more of an eyesore! Only because I overdo it."

Whether perceived as an eyesore or a style icon, Parton's unique aesthetic was the subject of her 2023 book, Behind the Seams: My Life in Rhinestones. This publication offered a glimpse into her extraordinary life, tracing her journey from Tennessee to Hollywood through the lens of her style. "If somebody thinks I’ve done something that they can draw from, then I’m happy with that!" Parton shared. Reflecting on her past fashion choices, she'd often exclaim, "Oh my Lord, was I serious about that?"

In tribute to her enduring legacy, we revisit some of the core fashion philosophies that guided Dolly Parton's inimitable wardrobe, as shared in a 2023 interview.

Embrace the Unapologetic

"I was always a little bit flamboyant, even before I could afford to buy clothes," Parton explained. "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 Unexpected Places

Parton revealed, "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."

Disregard Trends

"I never cared what other people did, and I never cared what other people said about what I wore," Parton stated. "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."