Elvis’s Wife Priscilla Presley Is The Unexpected Style Icon We Needed

The movie features some of Priscilla’s most photographed looks, and finally, her signature style is portrayed on screen. 

Elvis and Priscilla were an iconic couple in both style and status. While their relationship may have raised a few eyebrows, as she was only 14 when they met, her devotion to Elvis, as well as her devotion to her own style, made Priscilla as equally impressive as her husband. Elvis never wanted the couple to look too relaxed, so appearances needed to be kept up at all times. “Sloppy” was not a word in Priscilla’s vocabulary! 

Not only was she famous for her marriage to one of the biggest names in music history, but Priscilla also had her own run in the world of fashion and business. Out of her boutique Bis & Beau came some of the greatest fashion inspirations of the time, and she remains a style icon to this day. 

Let’s take a look at Priscilla Presley’s signature style: 

Priscilla Presley's Signature Style 

Priscilla’s signature style was classy, with high hair and a feminine flair. Her classic bouffant hairstyle added height and interest to her everyday beauty, and defined her most memorable looks. Also called a beehive, her hair was teased high and dyed jet black, and she even wore her hair like this on her wedding day. While she also wore her hair in big, loose curls for a more natural look, the dark bouffant was her most identifiable hairstyle. 

Not only was her hair remarkable, but her makeup was also truly unique, and has been imitated by other stars like Lana Del Ray and Lily Collins. The baby doll eyeliner brought the right amount of Hollywood glamor and sophistication, while also playing on her big blue eyes. The rest of her makeup look included soft pink lips and blush, so as to not distract from her full head of hair. Priscilla maintained this ‘60s era look throughout the first half of her marriage to Elvis. 

Priscilla's wedding dress is considered one of the most famous wedding dresses in history (bought off the rack!), featuring a beaded neckline and sleeves, and a three-foot veil floating over her glamorous bouffant. All dolled up next to her groom, Priscilla truly stole the show at their wedding in 1967. 

In terms of regular clothes, Priscilla had a wide range of wardrobe choices. She could be seen in various shift dresses, from a white scoop neck shift to a bright pink collared shift. Her youthful and colorful wardrobe was the perfect contrast against Elvis’ darker suits. 

Iconic Looks over the Years

Some of her most iconic looks feature her signature hair and makeup, but her hair actually took on a few different hues over the years. Between black, blonde, brunette, and her natural auburn shade, Priscilla’s hair was a major part of her style and matched the aesthetic of the clothing she wore. 

Her style was somehow both high maintenance and yet effortless, so versatile. Her style motto – “elegant yet approachable” – definitely applies to her style post-Elvis, and her feminine touch on both glamor and stardom. 

One of the most impressive photos of young Priscilla is a family photo of the couple and their newborn daughter, taken just hours after Priscilla gave birth to Lisa Marie. Complete with her signature hair and makeup, she looks like a movie star in a bright pink mini dress. Not many women look fantastic after labor, but Priscilla is the ultimate exception. 

The queen of Rock and Roll also rocked a little white dress, rather than a LBD, which is a lesson we can all learn from Priscilla. Feminine but sexy, the LWD is one she wore multiple times, and to a variety of occasions, proving you can never be truly overdressed. 

Her dedication to fashion was a labor of love. Her boutique Bis & Beau catered to many stars in Beverly Hills and featured her own designs, including the rhinestone embellished Canadian tuxedo she wore to the grand opening, complete with a '70s blowout and smokey eye. 

Priscilla’s adoration of denim even extended to swimwear – she designed a denim bikini, with all the details of a favorite pair of jeans. 

Priscilla excelled in the ability to combine the trends of the time with her own personal touch, never straying from bold colors or even bolder details. She wore everything from jumpsuits to hooded dresses, and highlighted the potential sophistication of casual wear. You can’t help falling in love with her sense of style and confidence!

Presently, Priscilla still has her eye on fashion, and true to her roots, her hair is a shiny red. Wide-leg pants, florals, and bold fabrics have characterized her style over the past decade, and she still maintains a presence in Hollywood today!

Closing Thoughts

Priscilla Presley is the style icon we needed, and the new movie highlights her fashion sense and bold confidence alongside Elvis. Do yourself a favor and tease up your hair for a night out, and channel some Priscilla into your next outfit!

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