Elvis Presley’s jumpsuits were known for one standout feature: their dramatic high collars. This design choice wasn’t just about fashion or following trends of the time. There was a deliberate reason the King of Rock and Roll favored the look, one that subtly enhanced his iconic image.
Presley’s jumpsuits are back in the spotlight, thanks to a social media campaign encouraging fans to visit Graceland’s refurbished “Elvis Dressed to Rock” exhibit as the home readies for Elvis Week from August 8 through 16. The king's official Instagram account has showcased some of his most iconic looks, along with detailed insights into the design and a brief history behind each one.
In a July 17 post, Elvis wears a custom-made jumpsuit by Bill Belew. The design features a low-cut front accented with silver grommets, sparkling studs, and intricate embroidery.
Its caption revealed a little-known secret about a key element of the king's 1970s style. It reads, "A signature of Elvis’s jumpsuits was high Napoleonic collars designed to frame his face."
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Belew and Gene Douchette worked together to create many of Elvis' most iconic on-stage looks. In a 2010 interview with The Guardian, Douchette revealed little-known details of how the duo created some of the king's most unforgettable styles and why the large collar became a Presley staple.
"The jumpsuit was Bill's idea; he was inspired by clothing from the Napoleonic era, particularly the high collars. Of course, jumpsuits were practical for Elvis because they allowed him to move around onstage without worrying about getting his clothing snagged on something," Douchette explained.
In a separate interview for Elvis Australia, Belew went into further detail about why high collars became a Presley fashion staple. "I've always been a great fan of Napoleon. And when I looked at Elvis, I said he's the one person that I could do the Napoleonic collar with it, because it'll frame his face."
He continued, "And like a lot of things that you do for women, when you're designing their clothes, is to draw your attention to their face. And I thought, well if I have the collar up there, people will notice his face and it'll frame it, and however I do it, and that's how the collar came about."
Belew concluded Elvis had a "fabulous body to design for." He concluded, "He really wore and had a flair for clothes."
Elvis Presley's jumpsuit era lasted from 1970 through 1977. The king of rock and roll was found dead in his Graceland home in August 1977. He was 42.
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