The Truth About Dolly Parton And Her Long Sleeve Style
Dolly Parton has been a global icon for decades, known as much for her signature silhouette and rhinestones as she is for her legendary voice. Many fans have observed that the country music superstar consistently chooses outfits with long sleeves, regardless of the season or event.
While she always manages to look impeccably glamorous in her gowns and tops, it turns out there is a practical and deeply personal reason behind covering her arms.
Reports have long circulated that the “9 to 5” singer uses long sleeves and occasionally gloves to conceal a private collection of tattoos. This was famously discussed by Jennifer Saunders, who recalled a moment on an Australian television program where Parton reportedly revealed her ink in a restaurant.
Saunders described the artwork as a pastel-colored series of the most beautiful angels, beautiful butterflies, and baskets of flowers. Although Parton allegedly asked her to keep the secret, the details eventually made their way into Saunders’ autobiography.
In recent years, Parton has become more open about her affinity for body art, specifically confirming her love for butterfly and flower motifs. Butterflies have been a constant thread throughout her life, appearing in her lyrics and serving as the primary logo for her Dollywood theme park in Tennessee. She shared with ABC News that these creatures tell stories about me getting lost in the woods and getting in trouble chasing butterflies during her childhood in the Smoky Mountains.
Despite the colorful descriptions provided by friends, Parton clarified to Larry King that she does not have the extensive coverage many people imagine. She noted that she has splattered them here and there rather than opting for full sleeves, jokingly adding that she isn’t trying to be a biker chick. Careful observers of her red carpet appearances will notice that while her wrists are sometimes bare, she almost always keeps her upper arms and shoulders shielded from view.
The singer eventually revealed to Vanity Fair that her journey with tattoos actually began as a way to manage a skin condition. She explained that she tends to develop keloid scar tissue, which can often leave behind a permanent purple tint. She decided to use tattoos as a creative solution to mask these areas, stating that most of the tattoos, when I first started, I was covering up some scars that I had.
Medical experts describe keloids as bulky scars that develop due to an excess of collagen following an injury or inflammation. These rubbery lumps are famously unpredictable and are most commonly found on the chest, shoulders, and neck—the exact areas Parton typically keeps under wraps. By wearing long sleeves, she is able to manage her skin sensitivity while keeping her beautiful ink private and personal, choosing to share it only on her own terms.
As of this year, Dolly Parton is showing no signs of slowing down her prolific career. She is currently preparing for the grand opening of the “Dolly Parton Experience” at Dollywood, a new multi-million dollar immersive attraction that chronicles her journey from East Tennessee to global superstardom.
Do you think Dolly Parton’s decision to turn her scars into art is a beautiful way to handle a difficult skin condition, or do you wish she would finally do a full reveal of her hidden ink? Share your thoughts in the comments.