Dolly Parton’s Western Shoe Style Over The Years

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Dolly Parton joined forces with Beyoncé on a new reimagining of the singer’s 1973 hit “Jolene.” The song appears on the latter’s new album “Cowboy Carter” and is an homage to the country icons’ large body of work.

Parton is well known for her music, but she is known just as much for her over-the-top, western-inspired style and shoe choices. Whether she’s wearing boots or heels, the singer loves to wear a statement shoe tied to the rest of her outfit. Any material is fair game for Dolly Parton, who has been seen over the years rocking footwear made of denim, leather and shoes bedazzled from heel to toe.

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Below, see Dolly Parton’s best shoe moments from the past several decades, from outrageously high heels to custom cowboy boots.

Dolly Parton, 2023

Dolly Parton speaks during a press conference to launch her new album, Rockstar, at the Four Seasons Hotel in London. Picture date: Thursday June 29, 2023.
Dolly Parton at a press conference to launch her new album, Rockstar, at the Four Seasons Hotel in London on June 29, 2023. PA Images via Getty Images

Dolly Parton wore silver metallic thigh-high strappy boots at the press conference for her new album on June 29, 2023. The shoes, which feature a high stiletto heel and platform base, as many of her shoes do, were coordinated with the release of her latest album “Rockstar,” the country singer’s first rock album. She wrote the album after receiving an invitation from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2022.

Dolly Parton speaks during a press conference to launch her new album, Rockstar, at the Four Seasons Hotel in London. Picture date: Thursday June 29, 2023.
Dolly Parton at a press conference to launch her new album, Rockstar, at the Four Seasons Hotel in London on June 29, 2023.GETTY IMAGES

Dolly Parton, 2022

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 07: Co-host Dolly Parton speaks onstage during the 57th Academy of Country Music Awards at Allegiant Stadium on March 07, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for ACM)
Dolly Parton at the 57th Academy of Country Music Awards at Allegiant Stadium on March 07, 2022, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Getty Images for ACM

In 2022, Dolly Parton co-hosted the 57th annual Academy of Country Music Awards. The singer paired her iridescent disco-ball-inspired outfit with clear and silver platform heels. Parton is known for wearing extremely high heels, often with a platform, and very much embodies this standard even in a simpler color palette as shown in this pair.

Dolly Parton in platform heels at the 57th Academy of Country Music Awards.
Dolly Parton in platform heels at the 57th Academy of Country Music Awards.

Dolly Parton, 2016

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 03: Dolly Parton poses in the press room during the 51st Academy of Country Music Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 3, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by JB Lacroix/WireImage)
Dolly Parton at the 51st Academy of Country Music Awards in Las Vegas on April 3, 2016.WireImage

Stepping out into the press room at the 51st Academy of Country Music Awards on April 3, 2016, Dolly Parton color-matched a pair of suede, platform stilettos with her trousers and the lapel of her bedazzled blazer. The country singer is known for truly making her shoes a part of her outfit in a way that many artists don’t, pairing fabrics and colors together in a seamless fashion.

Dolly Parton in tan platform heels at the 51st Academy of Country Music Awards.
Dolly Parton in tan platform heels at the 51st Academy of Country Music Awards.

Dolly Parton, 2006

Dolly Parton during "9 to 5" 25th Anniversary Special Edition DVD Launch Party - March 30, 2006 at The Annex in Hollywood, California, United States. (Photo by SGranitz/WireImage)
Dolly Parton during “9 to 5” 25th Anniversary Special Edition DVD Launch Party on March 30, 2006. WireImage

It’s rare to spot Dolly Parton out in anything but a heel, even a shorter, casual one as seen in these bedazzled sandals she worse to a special edition launch party for the 25th anniversary of “9 to 5.” These casual heels could truly be worn from 9 to 5, and stun on a red carpet.

Dolly Parton in casual heeled sandals during “9 to 5” 25th Anniversary Special Edition DVD Launch Party.
Dolly Parton in casual heeled sandals during “9 to 5” 25th Anniversary Special Edition DVD Launch Party.

Dolly Parton, 1989

SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE -- Episode 17 -- Pictured: Dolly Parton during the monologue on April 15, 1989 -- (Photo by: NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images)
Dolly Parton on Saturday Night Live on April 15, 1989.NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via

Almost indistinguishable from the rest of her outfit, Dolly Parton stepped out for her opening monologue on “Saturday Night Live” in 1989 in a pair of beaded high-heeled cowboy boots. The beading is in the same pattern as her pants and top, giving the illusion of a country chic full-body suit. Parton continued wearing shoes made from the same material as her clothing throughout her career.

Dolly Parton in beaded cowboy boots on Saturday Night Live in 1989.
Dolly Parton in beaded cowboy boots on Saturday Night Live in 1989.

Dolly Parton, 1987

Dollywood, Dolly Parton in 1987. (Photo by John Seakwood/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images)
Dolly Parton at Dollywood in 1987. Disney General Entertainment Con

Cowboy boots have always been a staple for Parton, who has been an icon of country music since the 60s. The style emulates her roots, and to this day is a shoe the singer wears on stage and at public events. This pair, which she wore to an event at Dollywood in 1987, features a high stiletto heel and are made entirely out of denim, coordinating with her look made of the same material.

Dolly Parton in denim, heeled cowboy boots at Dollywood in 1987.
Dolly Parton in denim, heeled cowboy boots at Dollywood in 1987.

Dolly Parton, 1977

Singer/songwriter/actor Dolly Parton walks to the microphone during the taping of 3rd Annual Rock Awards TV show at the Palladium, Hollywood, CA 1977. (Photo by Mark Sullivan/Getty Images)
Dolly Parton at the taping of the 3rd Annual Rock Awards TV show at the Palladium in Hollywood, Calif. in 1977. Getty Images

Early in Parton’s career, high heels were already a staple of her shoe style. The actress and singer wore a pair of silver platform heels with a stylish, slim strap across the ankle and an open-toe design to the Rock Awards in Hollywood, Calif. in 1977. The shoes, while a classic and timeless style, made a statement with their height.

Dolly Parton in strappy-heeled sandals at the Rock Awards in 1977.<cite>Getty Images</cite>
Dolly Parton in strappy-heeled sandals at the Rock Awards in 1977.Getty Images

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