See Dolly Parton's Changing Looks Through the Years

By Instyle
Updated Dec 07, 2018 @ 12:00 pm
Credit: CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images

After nearly 50 years in the business, Dolly Parton is an American icon. The songstress, who even has her own Dollywood theme park in her native Tennessee, has never been one to play it safe when it comes to her career. Known for her signature blonde-bombshell meets country-sweetheart style, Parton is definitely one-of-a-kind among her musical peers.

Check out her changing looks through the years!

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1 of 23

1955

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The 9-year-old grew up in Sevier County, Tenn., with 11 brothers and sisters. "If we ever had any makeup in the house," her mother once told People of the budding beauty, "Dolly'd grab it first."

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2 of 23

1964

Credit: Nancy Barr/Retna

"I always wanted to be prettier," Parton has said of her teenage self. "I got to fixin' myself up. I wanted my clothes tight, my makeup bright, my nails long, my lips red. I got into it."

3 of 23

1970

Credit: Michael Ochs Archives

Looking extra fresh-faced, a young Parton poses for a portrait circa 1970. 

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4 of 23

1972

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The rising star (who released two solo albums and performed with partner Porter Wagoner) had already adopted her trademark whipped cream wigs and frosty makeup.

5 of 23

1976

Credit: Michael Ochs Archives

Talk about voluminous hair! The country singer posed for this picture circa 1976. 

6 of 23

1977

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Parton stepped out in New York City with her signature voluminous hair and on-point makeup. 

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7 of 23

1978

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"I'm aware I'm not in style, but it don't bother me," the Heartbreaker songstress told People of her bubble coifs. "I like looking as if I came out of a fairy tale."

8 of 23

1980

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Parton related to her misunderstood sexpot secretary character in Nine to Five. "I'm not selling sex," she said of her unabashedly va-va-va-voom style. "The magic of the whole thing, is that I am one way and look another."

9 of 23

1983

Credit: Michael Putland

The singer was absolutely glowing in this photo from the early '80s.

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10 of 23

1987

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Big wigs and bigger talent—the crossover superstar released her 28th solo album, Rainbow.

11 of 23

1988

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Looking blonde and beautiful, Parton posed at the People's Choice Awards in the late '80s.

12 of 23

1994

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"I've always loved makeup, and it's something I understand," Parton told People of her signature makeup line. "You can do it in good taste, but if you want to look like the town tramp like me, you can."

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13 of 23

2000

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Looking as doll-like as ever, a fuchsia-sporting Parton made an appearance on Bette Midler's sitcom.

14 of 23

2001

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The 55-year-old blonde scored a critical smash with her bluegrass album, Little Sparrow.

15 of 23

2010

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"I'm in the public eye, so I don't care who knows what I get done," the ageless Parton said of her beauty regimen. "If I see something sagging, dragging or bagging, I get it sucked, tucked or plucked. It takes a lot of money to look as cheap as I look."

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16 of 23

2011

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The spiky-haired singer released her latest bluegrass album Better Day.

17 of 23

2011

Credit: Bruce Glikas

The gorgeous songstress stepped out at the Bonnie and Clyde musical on Broadway in New York City.

18 of 23

2012

Credit: Albert L. Ortega

Parton looked absolutely gorgeous with her hair and makeup on-point at the Los Angeles premiere of Joyful Noise in Hollywood. 

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19 of 23

2014

Credit: Scott Barbour

Looking blonder than ever, Parton stepped out at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, Australia. 

20 of 23

2015

Credit: Jason LaVeris

The very blonde singer was all smiles at the premiere of Dolly Parton's Coat of Many Colors in Hollywood.

21 of 23

2016

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She may have been in this business for over 50 years, but one thing clearly remains the same: her voluminous blonde hair, worn in its signature style to accept the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award at the 50th annual CMA Awards.

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22 of 23

2017

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At 71, the country icon looks better than ever—and knows exactly what works for her. She put forth her signature blonde 'do at the 2017 SAG Awards, where she styled her beauty look with a long-sleeve nude dress and a glowing necklace. That award-winning smile never goes away.

23 of 23

2018

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The 72-year-old stepped out for the premiere of Netflix's Dumplin' looking as blonde and bright-eyed as ever.

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