1984 Was Dolly Parton's Best Hair Year & These Pics Prove It Hands Down

Country star Dolly Parton was best known for her heartfelt lyrics, angelic voice, and big hair. Yes, the "Jolene" singer loved a bold look, and her hair played a significant role in the late star's appearance. And while Dolly Parton's hair transformation through the years clearly shows that the queen of country adapted to the times, the '80s were a particularly memorable era.

More specifically, the year was 1984; her film "Rhinestone" with Sylvester Stallone had just premiered, and Parton was about to release her Christmas album with fellow country star Kenny Rogers. At the time, Dolly Parton's big hair moments had heads turning, but the star was also among the first to popularize rocking wigs regularly in the entertainment industry. "I used to try to keep my own hair teased as big as I like it, and having the bleach and all of that, it just broke off," she shared during a 2016 appearance on "Home & Family" (via People). "I thought, 'Why am I going through all that? Why don't I just wear wigs? That way, I never have a bad hair day! I have a big hair day, but not a bad hair day."

What many might not know is that Parton's oldest wigs date back to the '70s, which makes it very likely that she also rocked them during 1984. The legacy the star's death in August 2026 left is immense, and while Parton made an impact across all spheres of entertainment, not to mention her philanthropic work with numerous charities and projects, Parton will also forever be remembered as a style icon with glamorous, over-the-top hair. 

In June 1984, Dolly Parton showed up to the New York City premiere of her and Sylvester Stallone's musical rom-com "Rhinestone," rocking platinum-blond voluminous curls. Speaking to Vogue in 2020, Parton shared that she felt the need to look fabulous because her co-star always dressed perfectly. "I knew he'd be dressed to the nines because he really goes all out with everything he does," she said, adding, "I tried to look my Dolly best." And Parton, whose hair was a beautiful mix of larger and smaller curls, certainly did.

A photo of Dolly Parton signing autographs in 1984 showcases the stunning volume that the "9 to 5" singer was known for. Slightly shorter than her usual length, her curly hair lightly touched her shoulders, changing the musician's look entirely. The cut featured soft, blended bangs that framed the singer's face beautifully, enhancing Parton's bold and fun makeup. This photo is just one among many gorgeous throwback pics of Dolly Parton that prove she's always been an icon.

Dolly Parton's perhaps most memorable 1984 hairstyle was the look she rocked that June while receiving her Hollywood Walk of Fame Star. Parton, who got a star on the same day as her "Rhinestone" co-star Sylvester Stallone, stunned with side-swept curls that allowed for plenty of volume on top of her head. Similar to the look she rocked to the movie's New York City premiere that same month, Parton's curls formed ringlets at the bottom, adding even more bounce to her look.

Photos of Dolly Parton at the Hyatt Hotel in Chicago in March 1984 show that the singer-actor easily pulled off shorter hairstyles. Parton's bright, lustrous blond hair (possibly a wig) was cut into a curly bob, allowing the "Coat of Many Colors" singer to go even bolder with her makeup and outfit. However, no matter the outfit, her hair still seemed to take center stage. "In the '80s, a lot of the wigs had those really, really, little, tight curls. The smaller I got, the bigger the hair seemed to be," Parton shared with Allure in 2021.

In June 1984, Dolly Parton and Sylvester Stallone also attended the Hollywood premiere of their film "Rhinestone" at the Picwood Theater, and for the occasion, Parton gave us a fun half-updo. The Grammy Award-winning musician showed up to the red carpet with parts of her hair pulled up, creating volume at the top of her head. However, Parton still had adorable curly bits and tendrils framing her face, creating a bouncy fringe. At the bottom, the ringlet curls contrasted gorgeously with her sparkly black outfit, creating a fashion and beauty moment that the star will be remembered for.

1984 was definitely Dolly Parton's year of voluminous ringlets, most of the time styled to grace her collarbone. However, in November 1984, Parton showed up to a children's cancer charity fundraiser sporting a tight updo — a look the "I Will Always Love You" singer rarely wore at the time. While her hair was lifted, it certainly didn't lack volume. "Through all the decades, I always had that big, old hair," she told Allure in 2021.