If he were still alive today, Elvis would be blowing out 85 candles on his birthday cake. Sadly, a love of cheeseburgers and prescription meds nixed that, but his style legacy will never die (on a toilet or otherwise). In the 42 years that he graced this earth, The Memphis Flash singlehandedly changed the way that men dress; from rockabilly to more-is-more jewellery, Elvis remains one of those rare icons whose fashion legacy has outlived their career. Granted, we're not all wearing lamé jumpsuits these days. But the King remains as big an influence on your wardrobe as ever.
Elvis Was The Godfather Of Bling
Born dirt-poor, in a wooden shack in the Deep South, Elvis rocketed out of his impoverished childhood when he scored his first Billboard number one, 'Heartbreak Hotel', aged just 21. Its success enabled him to fully indulge his taste for ostentatious fashion, and as Tommy Hilfiger once put it, he quickly became "the first white boy to really bling it up".
He did this spectacularly in 1957, donning a gold suit for the cover of the album 50,000,000 Elvis Fans Can’t be Wrong. Elvis’ dazzling outfit, which cost $10,000, was a bling forerunner, showing the world that this poor boy from Mississippi was ready to take his throne as the golden boy of entertainment. During his lifetime, Elvis also splashed out on more than 260 cars, including a limo painted with crushed diamonds (which cost the modern equivalent of half a million US dollars), as well as private jets with gold-plated bathrooms, and mountains of diamond jewellery, which he threw out to fans at concerts as if it were confetti.
Where Elvis led, others followed. Rap's love of bling is obvious, but the King's gold suit has proved especially influential. Artists as varied as Tupac and Brandon Flowers have since given their tailoring the Midas touch, Versace and Costume National have sent models down the catwalk in head-to-toe gold, and Justin Bieber, Bruno Mars and Jared Leto have played it a little safer in metallic gold blazers with Elvis-esque black lapels.
Elvis Pioneered Gender-Fluid Fashion
When Elvis burst into – and arguably birthed – pop culture in the in the mid-Fifties, he bent the era's rigid gender rules and encouraged young men to experiment with clothing, which had previously been a purely female pastime. In a climate of Brooks Brothers conformity, Elvis’ fondness for bubble-gum pink clothing, lace, lashings of mascara (he was such a pro, he’d even apply girlfriends' make-up for them) and navel-baring cropped shirts, disrupted the status quo. He spearheaded gender-fluidity before it was even a thing, and paved the way for Harry Styles's hot pink suits.
Elvis pushed gender boundaries throughout his career, famously making floral prints cool in the Sixties when he wore a red hibiscus shirt for the movie Blue Hawaii. Prada, Dior, and Saint Laurent have all since adapted the Aloha style.
But the King’s most memorable binary-busting look remains his flamboyant, body-skimming jumpsuits, which opened the door for a new generation of male peaco*ck. David Bowie took Elvis’s jumpsuit silhouette to extremes, wearing spandex catsuits designed to attract an erotic gaze, and Mick Jagger wore a white dress for a gig in Hyde Park, still leaving the stage every inch the virile male. "The flamboyance of Elvis’s stage-wear liberated men to wear clothes that were more outrageous than they had worn since the nineteenth century," says British tailor Edward Sexton. Fifty years on, we're still enjoying the sartorial freedoms he ushered in.
Elvis Was The Original Rockabilly Rebel
Even if you've never been one for the full pompadour look, rockabilly's fashion influence is undeniable, perhaps most apparent in the camp collared shirts that have been ubiquitous for the last few years. It's another Elvis original. The mid-century Elvis look – slicked up quiff, two-tone bowling shirt with a popped-collar, drape jacket, pegged pants and penny loafers – remains Presley’s most iconic and accessible style, epitomised in the 1957 movie Jailhouse Rock, where Elvis stars in all his lip-curling, double-denim-wearing glory. If you're going in Elvis fancy dress, that's the one you pick. But it's not just for costume.
As the late designer Joe Casely-Hayford put it, “Elvis was at the forefront in defining a new anti-establishment visual language." He was the original rebel, but he made that status accessible. "Aside from good looks, he knew the appeal of being an outsider. Even today, a distilled version of his look has filtered down into the wardrobes of any self-respecting teenage rebel."
Elvis’s brand of subcultural cool reached beyond the States, influencing the British Teddy Boys, who in the Fifties added a dash of Edwardian dandy into their sartorial co*cktail. Rockabilly style has since been reclaimed by each new generation. Recent interpretations have come from pompadour-wearing musicians like Alex Turner and La Roux, and on the runway, Bottega Veneta has channeled the look in nostalgic brothel creepers and western ties. Comme des Garçons even took boyish Elvis’s quiff to parody heights for its beatnik SS19 show.
Elvis Made Cowhide Cool
It remains one of the defining moments in rock 'n' roll history: Elvis, dressed head-to-toe in provocative leather, gyrating his way through the ‘68 Comeback Special concert. After years spent making increasingly bland movies in Hollywood, the pressure was on Presley to show the world he was still relevant.
As soon as Elvis stepped onto the stage dressed like a Tom of Finland drawing, he was no longer a has-been. He was back, and he was dangerous. Like Marlon Brando before him, or Beyoncé paying homage to the Black Panthers during the 2016 Superbowl, Elvis understood that slipping on a layer of cordovan is an empowering act.
Since Elvis, black leather is the go-to for any on-the-ropes performer looking to reinvent themselves with an outlaw edge. Stars such as Suzi Quatro, Bono, Robbie Williams, Britney Spears and Lady Gaga have all worn interpretations of Elvis’s seductive leather suit, securing its place in fashion folklore, and brands from Saint Laurent to John Lawrence Sullivan have send all-over cowhide down the runway.
FAQs
Known for his rock and roll style, Elvis was a bonafide fashion icon of his time. Whether it was his on stage or off duty looks, the singer paved the way for men to express themselves through their clothes.
When did Elvis change his style? ›
Between the '50s and the '70s, The King's music evolved to embrace new genres and styles. While his early recordings were purely rockabilly, Elvis Presley's music changed in the late '50s and early '60s under the management of the legendary RCA Records.
What was Elvis style called? ›
Elvis Presley's style was a unique blend of country, rock and roll, and gospel that came to be known as rockabilly. His style was characterized by a twangy, bluesy voice, energetic stage presence, and flashy clothing.
What is Elvis Presley's most famous outfit? ›
Possibly the most famous outfit in music history, Presley's jumpsuit has become his most enduring look. Designer Bill Belew created numerous versions in different colors, all with elaborate embroidery, winged collars and flared hems, but the white – chosen so The King would stand out on stage – is the most iconic.
Why is Elvis Presley an icon? ›
Yet Presley became a cultural icon, not only for being a trailblazer of uptempo rockabilly – one of the earliest styles of rock 'n' roll, which fused country music with rhythm and blues – but also, right from the start of his fame, for openly expressing his respect for black performers and their music and forming a ...
Where did Elvis get his clothing style? ›
Bernard Lansky, who died on 15 November at the age of 85, was the retailer who helped a young Elvis Presley establish his signature clothing style of pegged trousers, two-tone shoes and other flashy fashions in the 1950s.
Did Elvis change his style? ›
In the 42 years that he graced this earth, The Memphis Flash singlehandedly changed the way that men dress; from rockabilly to more-is-more jewellery, Elvis remains one of those rare icons whose fashion legacy has outlived their career.
Why did Elvis always wear jumpsuits? ›
In a piece for the Guardian in 2010, Doucette said Belew was the ideas man behind the jumpsuits, which "allowed [Presley] to move around onstage without worrying about getting his clothing snagged on something." Drawing inspiration from high Napoleonic collars and the needs of Presley's high intensity, karate and dance ...
What was Elvis Presley's favorite breakfast? ›
Note for his future wife: Elvis loves enormous breakfasts complete with sausage, bacon, eggs, fried potatoes, home-baked rolls, and coffee.
What brand clothes did Elvis wear? ›
Lansky Bros., the original clothier to the King, has continued to dress not just Elvis fans but also the modern man in pieces inspired by Elvis. Today, owner Hal Lansky pulls together two classic outfits that you may recognize from Jailhouse Rock.
Elvis was a style icon. He was effortlessly cool in his early days when he reportedly wore anything fancy and flashy that he could afford on stage, but would also dress down in blousons, pleated trousers, and two-tone shoes in his everyday attire. Basically, Elvis was most comfortable in rockabilly leisure wear.
How do you get Elvis style? ›
The Classic. Early Elvis-era looks come down to a few things: simple checked-blazers, printed short sleeve collar shirts, slacks, and a killer pair of loafers. All classic pieces that you can still wear today—even if you don't style them as he would.
Did Elvis wear the same jumpsuit more than once? ›
Although the jumpsuit was extremely flashy in design, it was only worn twice. Most of 1976 saw Elvis wear the Egyptian Birds (also known as Bicentennial). 1977 - This year made 1976 look inspired. There was a suit designed for Elvis, however it wasn't completed in time for Elvis to have worn it on stage.
Is Elvis a cultural icon? ›
Decades after Presley's death, his legacy continues to influence the music industry. Despite his many questionable choices and controversies, it is undeniable that Presley was a cultural icon—and still is today.
When did Elvis rip his pants? ›
Cincinnatti - March 21 1976.... Elvis split his pants while singing Polk salad, he then left the stage for another jump suit.
What kind of pants did Elvis wear? ›
“In the 1950s, Elvis wore a lot of tapered pants which were wider at the top and went down to a peg; his shirts had camp collars. One of his iconic looks was the Hollywood Coat that he wore in the movie Jailhouse Rock, striped with a black velvet collar.”
Did Elvis wear crop tops? ›
As Elvis gained fame, he became an early adapter of flamboyant fashion. Elvis' fashion of the 50s consisted of Cuban collars, bubblegum pink blazers, crop tops, trousers with pleats and wide legs, and blouson jackets complete with loafers.
What was Elvis Presley's favorite snack? ›
The peanut butter and banana sandwich has been referred to as a favorite of Elvis Presley, who was renowned for his food cravings such as the Fool's Gold Loaf, a loaf of French white bread filled with a pound each of bacon, peanut butter, and grape jelly.
What sandwich did Elvis eat everyday? ›
While Elvis is primarily known for being one of the greatest entertainers of the 20th century, we can't ignore his namesake sandwich—the one with peanut butter, banana, and bacon all smashed together.
What was Elvis Presley's favorite dessert? ›
Elvis favored classic southern sweets for dessert, and one favorite happened to be pound cake. Not just any pound cake but a particular one. The Sterns say pound cake for Elvis meant a cake baked by his childhood friend, Janelle McComb.
From Farrah Fawcett's relaxed, almost androgynous elegance and inimitable hair flicks to Studio 54 stalwart Bianca Jagger and legendary supermodel Iman who dominated just about every runway including Gianni Versace's, Calvin Klein's, Issey Miyake's and Donna Karan's, it was a decade bursting with well-dressed women.
What did Elvis Presley get famous for? ›
Elvis Presley, also known as the King of Rock and Roll, gained popularity in the 1950s with his new wave music and sound. His songs and dancing pushed the boundaries of the time period and gave voice to an entire generation. Elvis transcended rock and pop music and became an international superstar.
Who was the biggest fashion icon in the 80s? ›
Madonna. From wearing underwear as outerwear to her trademark lacy gloves, crucifix chains and love of Boy London jeans - Madonna was an undisputed fashion icon. Most 80s clothing worth wearing was worn by this absolute icon.
Who is the biggest fashion icon of all time? ›
The 12 Greatest Fashion Icons of All Time
- Princess Diana. One of the best-dressed women in history is Diana, Princess of Wales. ...
- Rihanna. Rihanna remains an influential fashion icon that even international brands recognise. ...
- Audrey Hepburn. ...
- Harry Styles. ...
- Billy Porter. ...
- Jackie Kennedy. ...
- David Bowie. ...
- Cher.
This year, the Daily Front Row will be giving away an award titled Fashion Icon Of The Decade, and they have named Kendall Jenner as the recipient.
Who made clothes for Elvis? ›
William Lewis Belew (May 20, 1931 – January 7, 2008) was an American costume designer who created stage outfits worn, among others, by Elvis Presley, Ella Fitzgerald, The Band, Gladys Knight, Gloria Estefan, Josephine Baker, Brooke Shields, Joan Rivers, Dionne Warwick, the Osmonds, and the Jacksons.
What color shoes did Elvis wear? ›
According to the shoe's certificate of authenticity, Presley wore a size 10 and his blue suede style was the only known pair in existence. Throughout the years, many footwear companies celebrated Presley's fashion influence as well as his iconic blue suede shoes.
Who has all of Elvis money? ›
After Minnie Mae's death in 1980, Lisa Marie became the only surviving beneficiary. Lisa Marie inherited Elvis' whole estate on her 25th birthday on February 1, 1993.
Was Elvis Presley a billionaire? ›
Being one of the most successful and well-known musicians and performers of all time, you'd think Elvis would be a billionaire artist like Jay-Z. But that wasn't the case back in the day. When he was found dead in 1977, his net worth was only US$5 million, which is worth about US$20 million in today's money.
