A Brief History Of Jumpsuits

[Jumpsuit Junkie]

I suppose the Jumpsuit is now indelibly linked to Elvis! Perhaps the’ Aloha’ and ‘Mexican Sundial’ Jumpsuits are the most recognised by the general public. There is estimated to be over 100 jumpsuits and two piece suits used as stage costumes.

1969 -1970. In the beginning the Jumpsuits/Costumes were simple in design and as the years passed by the simple became the spectacular. In the early days there would be duplicates of the simple in design Jumpsuits, for example there were multiple Cossack tops and Two Piece suits of different colours a similar case for the “Chain" Jumpsuits and two of the "Concha", of course this became untenable when the more elaborate costumes started in 1971 due to the cost factor, However there was an exception for the "Aloha" Jumpsuits, two were made for the telecast and one more made for the 1974 tours.

1971 saw simple nail designs of the ‘Cisco Kid’ Jumpsuits make way to what would become the established design mainly due to the talents of Gene Doucette, Gene had taken over from Bill Belew in the design stakes and it was his flair that saw the Jumpsuit morph from plain and simple Jumpsuit to the specticles they became from late 1971 onwards.

1972 sees the Jumpsuit finally reach its splendid peak, the design seems to have settled on a recognisable format that Elvis seemed happy with. The patterns and themes changed after 1972 but the suits basic style would stay the same until 1976. There were of course variations with the puff sleeves in the 'Chicken Rib', 'Eskimo Totem Pole' and 'Egyptian Bird' designs of 1975 but the Jumpsuit essentially remained the same as the 1976 'Colouful Flame' Jumpsuit demonstrates.

1973 probably saw the most elaborate Jumpsuits in the form of stones and nails e.g. the 'Arabian First Edition' aka the 'Memphis' Suit, 'Black Spanish Flowers' and of course the 'Aloha Eagle'. It could be argued that 1973 saw the jumpsuit become a work of art rather than a stage outfit. The designs had taken on beautiful detail and with many Jumpsuits taken on a theme.

1974 Gene Doucette had changed styles and moved to embroidery designs very probably at Elvis' request due to the weight of previous Jumpsuits. There were subtle changes to the designs of 1974 for example the sleeves were free from patterns or design, again probably at Elvis's request due to stones or nails scratching guitars etc. The designs of 1974 are of two extremes.. The 'Chinese Dragon' and the 'Mad Tiger' are quite flashy, where as the three 'Phoenix' designs seem to be simpler and understated in comparison.

1975 - There is debate as to whether Elvis should have switched over to two piece suits by 1975. Looking at the frequency of new suits by 1975 only 8 new Jumpsuits and 7 'Two Piece Suit' designs as opposed to 1973 with a peak of 17 new Jumpsuits (not including the aloha duplicates) it could be argued that Elvis tried the two piece and decided he didn't like them! 1975 followed the same design pattern of 1974 in that the designs were embroidery with fine detail, the ‘Chief’ aka the ‘Indian Feather being a fine example.

1976 – This was a particularly uninspired year, there was only one new Jumpsuit made in the form of the ‘Colourful Flame’ although the Jumpsuit was extremely flashy in design it was only worn twice which leaves you wondering why two of this design were made? Most of 1976 saw Elvis wear the ‘Egyptian Birds’ aka ‘Bicentennial Jumpsuits’

1977 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. Elvis only switched between three Jumpsuits in 1977 namely the ‘Chief’ aka ‘Indian Feather’ from 1975, ‘Arabian second Edition’ aka ‘King of Spades’ from 1974 and of course the ‘Mexican Sundial’ also from 1974.

[MojoElvis]

Eventhough the Indian Chief/Indian Feather jumpsuit is my all time favorite, I like most of what was designed in 1974. Making the Dragon Fire my second favorite.

[Jumpsuit Junkie]

Agreed 1974, was on the whole a good design year!

[Unchained Melody]

Would have to say 1974 for me aswell.

Although 72 very very close!

[SatninLove]

69-70 for me..
-SatninLove

[SatninLove]

although i'm fond of 71 and 77
-SatninLove

[jeanelvisgirl]

I have to say I prefer the more simple designs......the 69 two piece ghis, the Concha, Chain and Fringe suits........the very elegant Now Suit ...... the Cisco kid suits... the ones I do NOT like include the Bicentennial suits and the crazy Gypsy suits...... I so wish he had continued to wear the two piece white suits.. I love the ones with the coloured pockets and capes, especially the black cape with the paisley lining......

[medleyofcostumes]

IMO almost all the suits Elvis wore on stage had an interesting design, whether simple or flashy. Well done to all the designers. Actually, we need a book on jumpsuits which highlight the great stuff the desibners came up with - front and back design, cape, belt, bell bottom design etc. Maybe one day...

[jeanelvisgirl]

I have heard that such a book may appear sooner rather than later

[Polk-Salad-Annie]

I voted for: 1973 - Jumpsuited Peak - Nice and Spangerly, Aloha & Starburst

[renapap05]

1969-1970 for me The best Jumpsuits ever!!!

[elvispresleytheking]

72 for me, I especially love the Blue Nail and Burning Love, but the Adonis and Blue Swirl are in there as well, along with the Owl. Though 74 is a really close 2nd, with the elaborate embroidered beauty of the peacock and dragon.

[Jumpsuit Junkie]

Although there are some Jumpsuits that look rather over the top, when you see them up close, for instance the Mexican Sundial and the Arabian First Edition take on a completely different meaning when you see close up shots of the design. the detail is breath taking. I wonder if the fans could have appreciated the intricacies without them being on display and photo's taken of the up close

[jean francois]

sundial Suit For Me Thank You

[Wendy56]

All suits have their own charm. Elvis was so handsome and he looked so great with anything on. I love Nails and the Sundial too. Elvis wanted to please his fans in every detail... :notworhy.
*Thanks a lot for that Sundial pic.

[WHITETIGERMAN]

1969-1972 really is what I like........but as said before...he looked so good in anything.

[ehollier]

1969-1972 really is what I like........but as said before...he looked so good in anything.

Definitely 1969-70 was his best year; however, I bet he would have looked good in nothing at all, also.........

[WHITETIGERMAN]

Definitely 1969-70 was his best year; however, I bet he would have looked good in nothing at all, also.........

Agreed.....LOL....I bet all the women would agree to that comment.
Me being male.....he would look good in anything to me.But 69-70
you're right.

[Debra]

'69 and '70 to me too.He looked gorgeous in white

[beckelvis]

for me 69´-70´,though also i like 73´-74´,very much.