Entertainment

Dolly Parton said she has a lot of fashion regrets, but she still loves a daring beaded dress she wore in 1989

Dolly Parton in three looks: Green ensemble with flowers, blue and crystal adorned dress, orange and crystal tassel jumpsuit.
Dolly Parton's fashion in 1978, 1989, and 2014. Ron Galella/Getty Images; Rick Diamond/Getty Images
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Dolly Parton has been performing for more than 60 years, and she's still wowing us with outfits that are bold, colorful, and full of fringe and sparkles. 

But when it comes to picking her favorite outfit of all time, Parton doesn't even hesitate. 

The country-music legend recently sat down with Insider on Zoom to promote her new line of Southern desserts with Duncan Hines, and she was happy to discuss some of her iconic looks, too. 

Parton said she's always loved the costumes she's worn in movies, including "the little blue coat, yellow sweater, or the cowgirl outfit" from the hit 1980 film "9 to 5." 

Jane Fonda in a black shiny gown, Lilly Tomlin in a black dress and red fur shawl, and Dolly Parton in a baby pink floral lace dress with a pink fur coat.
Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, and Dolly Parton attending the premiere of "9 to 5" in New York City on December 14, 1980.  Ron Galella/Getty Images

But the outfit that holds the most meaning for Parton is the dress she wore to sing "He's Alive" at the 1989 Country Music Association Awards. 

"It was beautiful, white-beaded, pearls and stuff all over the dress," Parton told Insider. "And when you raised your arms, it looked like wings underneath." 

"That night when I sang that song, it was so emotional to me," she continued. "I was just overcome with a really strong spiritual high. So it left a memory in my mind and, every time I see that dress in a picture, I think of that night and singing that song. I felt like I was putting some good out in the world. So that dress, so far, is most memorable to me." 

Dolly Parton 1989 CMA Awards
Dolly Parton at the 1989 Country Music Association Awards in Nashville, Tennessee on October 9, 1989.  AP Photo/Mark Humphrey

Parton, who is hosting the Academy of Country Music Awards on March 7, told Insider that she also has plenty of fashion regrets. 

"There's a whole bunch of clothes where I say, 'What in the world were you thinking?' or, 'That looks terrible!'" she recalled with a laugh. "I get a big kick out of a lot of them, especially my hair-dos. My hair was bigger than me — and still is for the most part!" 

Parton said she often laughs out loud when she sees photos of some of her old ensembles. 

Dolly Parton poses in a proposal position in a bright yellow and sheer flowy dress in front of colorful lights.
Dolly Parton poses for a portrait session in 1978 in Los Angeles, California.  Harry Langdon/Getty Images

"I think, 'Oh my Lord, you must have thought you looked good,' and I must have or I wouldn't have worn it," she added. "Now it's like, 'Oh Lord, have mercy.' But I guess I didn't have nothing better at the time — or I thought it looked good in the moment." 

Parton also shared some of her cooking secrets with Insider, revealing her special hack for making the fluffiest scrambled eggs and why she always eats her mac and cheese with fried apples

She's also a huge fan of Taco Bell, and is among the hundreds of thousands of fans who hope the chain will finally bring back its beloved Mexican Pizza.

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Anneta Konstantinides
Anneta Konstantinides is a lifestyle correspondent at Business Insider, with a focus on food and travel. She loves taking readers inside Michelin-starred kitchens and exploring the world of fine-dining, and she's always trying to find the best Ina Garten and Gordon Ramsay recipes. Her second home is LAX, where she's often catching a flight and reviewing airlines.Anneta has also been reporting on the pageant industry for the last six years and has interviewed every Miss USA and Miss Universe winner since 2019. She was a finalist at the LA Press Club Awards for her investigation into the  2022 Miss USA scandal and was featured in The New York Times Presents episode "How to Fix a Pageant" on Hulu in September 2023. After graduating from UCLA with a B.A in English Literature and a minor in film & television, Anneta worked as a journalist in London, Sydney, New York City, Los Angeles, and Washington, DC. You can reach Anneta at akonstantinides@jkmperu.com.