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 blond bouffant played a significant role in cementing her legacy. 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 a 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."

The legacy that Parton's death in August 2026 left is immense, and while she made an impact across all spheres of entertainment, not to mention her philanthropic work with numerous charities and projects, she will also forever be remembered as a style icon with glamorous, over-the-top hair. And though one could argue every one of her eras deserves to commemorated, 1984 definitely brought out some of the "9 to 5" hitmaker's most iconic styles.

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 her 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.

Perhaps Dolly Parton's most memorable 1984 hairstyle was the look she rocked that June while receiving her Hollywood Walk of Fame Star. The singer 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, her curls formed ringlets at the bottom, creating a bouncy effect.

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 , icy platinum 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 for "Rhinestone" at the Picwood Theater. For the occasion, Parton switched up the look she wore to the New York premiere and instead wore a fun half-updo. This created an all-over bouffant at the top of her head. However, Parton still had adorable curly bits and tendrils framing her face, creating a bouncy fringe that hung around her cheekbones. The ringlet curls contrasted gorgeously with her sparkly black outfit, creating a fashion and beauty moment that will forever be remembered.

1984 was definitely Dolly Parton's year of voluminous ringlets, particularly during the spring and summer. However, in November, Parton showed up to a children's cancer charity fundraiser sporting a tight updo with full forehead  bangs— 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.