44 Photos of Dolly Parton That Prove She Has Always Been Over-the-Top Amazing

Porter Wagoner first introduced a then-unknown Dolly Parton to the world on his TV show in 1967 – little did we know how iconic her voice and standout style would become.

Back in 1968, Dolly opted for a more classic ‘60s look — a teased bouffant hairstyle and demure plaid.

The country star opted for a more pared-back look, with a wavy hairstyle and minimal makeup for a portrait session in 1972.

For an on-stage appearance in Los Angeles in 1975, Dolly paired her teased blonde locks with an embroidered yellow dress and plenty of blue eyeshadow.

Even back in 1978, the country superstar was a bonafide ray of sunshine!

At the 9 to 5 film premiere in New York, Dolly was pretty in pink — a pink off-the-shoulder dress, pink eyeshadow, and a bright pink lip color.

No one commands the stage like Dolly! Here, the blonde bombshell performs in an intricately beaded white gown alongside Tammy Wynette and Loretta Lynn in 1980.

To present an Academy Award at the 52nd annual ceremony, Dolly opted for a baby blue dress with sequined black bow.

All eyes were on Dolly in another beaded, tight-fitting dress — this time, with matching earrings — on stage at the Dominion Theatre in London in 1983.

For her first Hollywood Walk of Fame induction — yes, Dolly is so fabulous that she’s actually received the honor twice — the then 38-year-old posed (next to Sylvester Stallone) in a relatively understated look, at least by her standards.

On stage with Kenny Rogers in 1985, Dolly wore her take on a classic tuxedo style — with plenty of sequins.

The superstar’s hair reached new volumes — not that we’re complaining — during her variety series, Dolly, which aired in the late ‘80s on ABC. 

For one of her many performances on the show, Dolly played the guitar in all-over denim while sporting long (and we do mean, long) red nails.

Who wore their pile of blonde curls better? Dolly Parton or her TV show guest, Ms. Piggy.

At the 14th Annual People’s Choice Awards in March 1988, Dolly wore an over-the-top off-the-shoulder gown to accept her win for Favorite All-Around Female Entertainer.

At a charity dinner in New York in 1988, Dolly posed alongside friend Kenny Rogers in a sequined, velvet gown and plenty of purple eyeshadow. (It was popular at the time!)

Dolly’s namesake theme park — Dollywood — opened in 1986. In 1988, the star posed for a photo in the park’s gardens wearing a dotted dress and hoop earrings.

For the New York City premiere of Steel Magnolias, Dolly turned heads in an incredible beaded, sequin number.

The country music superstar looked the part in a Western-inspired red and gold fringed dress and plenty of hairspray.

Red, white and blue… for an appearance just after July 4th in 1991, Dolly was the picture of patriotism. 

In 1995, Dolly serenaded the Tonight Show audience in a semi-sheer gown and half-up, half-down hairstyle. 

We’re loving Dolly’s suede navy mini-dress and elegant, blown out hairstyle for her performance on The Tonight Show in 1999.

Another year, another Tonight Show appearance! Laughing alongside Jay Leno in 2001, Dolly showed off her incredible figure in a low-cut, metallic frock.

Dolly was all business in a relatively conservative beige dress for a music industry event in 2002.

On stage in 2003, the usually over-the-top country superstar toned it down a bit in a richly-colored red dress with gold detailing.

For a performance in New Jersey, Dolly wore a form-fitting bodysuit — complete with, what else, plenty of glitter.

At the 39th Annual CMA Awards, two music industry legends, Elton John and Dolly Parton, took to the stage to perform “Turn the Lights Out When You Leave” and “Imagine.”

Looking white-hot in an all-white ensemble, Dolly performed “Travelin’ Thru” at the Academy Awards in 2006.

At the same event, Dolly walked the Oscars red carpet in a bubblegum pink gown complete with eyelet detailing and sparkly bows.

Alongside friend and 9 to 5 co-star Jane Fonda, the stars celebrated the 25th anniversary DVD launch in matching white styles. 

There’s no better venue for Dolly’s signature glitz and glamour than the iconic Radio City Music Hall.

The one-and-only Dolly opted for bit of understated sparkle — yes, that’s most definitely a thing — on the red carpet premiere of Joyful Noise in 2012.

Who says you can’t mix and match polka dots and stripes? 

Dolly performing at Glastonbury in 2014 brought out an intricately beaded blouse and swipe of bright blue eyeliner.

A kaleidoscopic rainbow dress proved just the ticket for Dolly’s on-stage ensemble in Nashville in 2015.

For an appearance at the 51st Annual Academy of Country Music Awards in Las Vegas, Dolly was dripping in diamonds and plenty of show-stopping lace.

Dolly opted for an eye-catching primary color palette for a radio appearance in Pigeon Forge, Tennesee (where Dollywood is located) in 2016.

There’s no more fitting honoree than Dolly to receive the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award — and for her big night at the 2016 CMA Awards, the singer opted for her signature sunny hue.

Dolly was all smiles during the 23rd Annual SAG Awards in Los Angeles — and if we were wearing that many rhinestones, we would be grinning too!

Dolly, clad in silver fringe, was reunited with her former co-stars, Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda, at the Primetime Emmy Awards in 2017.

The singer smiled and waved to fans in Midtown Manhattan in 2017 wearing a silver studded black dress and sky-high heels.

Black and white and fabulous all over! Dolly wore a monochromatic body-con dress for the premiere of Netflix’s Dumplin’ in Hollywood in 2018.

Alongside her god daughter, Miley Cyrus, Dolly performed her mega-hit “Jolene” onstage at the Grammy Awards this year — yep, she’s still got it!

Earlier this year, in London, Dolly joined the cast of the 9 to 5 musical, a play based on the star’s music and lyrics.