Dolly Parton's Enduring Style: A 30-Year Partnership with Steve Summers

Dolly Parton’s iconic style, renowned across music, film, and philanthropy, is largely thanks to her longtime stylist and creative director, Steve Summers. Over three decades, Summers has meticulously crafted a wardrobe uniquely suited to the legendary performer, resulting in an estimated 300 custom outfits produced annually.

A Collaborative Creative Process

Summers describes the challenge of dressing Parton as “Designing for Dolly is great, because there are so many [Dollys].” He oversees her looks for performances, films, and personal appearances, navigating the diverse facets of her persona – the philanthropist, the singer, the actress, and even her theme park owner role.

“She’s been very specific throughout her entire career. She wears what she likes, and what she feels comfortable in,” Summers explains. “The great thing about working with Dolly is she doesn’t follow fashion trends at all; Her style hasn’t changed that much over the years.”

Signature Style Elements

Parton’s signature style is characterized by a focus on flattering silhouettes. Summers emphasizes her petite frame and the need to avoid overwhelming her with clothing. “She’s always cinched at the waist, and they’re often monochromatic,” he notes. “She's a very petite woman, so it's easy to overwhelm her—it’s easy for the clothes to wear her, and I don’t like that.”

The team frequently opts for dresses and jumpsuits with an hourglass shape, incorporating rich colors and textures. Furthermore, Parton’s footwear is a crucial element of her look – exclusively 140-mm heels, always custom-made for comfort and a dramatic effect. “The pitch on the shoe is very high, so we have the lasts custom-made for comfort,” Summers says, detailing the in-house design process.

Customization is Key

Despite often utilizing dresses off the rack, Parton’s outfits are always transformed through extensive customization. “Even if she wears a dress that’s off the rack, it doesn’t look like it by the time she gets it on,” Summers explains. “There’s a customization that happens no matter what she’s wearing.”