Elvis wore some stunning stagewear during his career. Just think – you can easily name so many of his iconic outfits: the American Eagle jumpsuit from “Aloha from Hawaii,” the black leather suit from the ’68 Special, and, of course, his gold lamé suit.
That gold lamé suit turns 60 years old this year, but it looks as brilliant as ever – and it has a new home at Graceland’s new entertainment complex, Elvis Presley’s Memphis. But more on that in a bit.
Elvis' glittering gold suit came complete with a pair of gold shoes.
Elvis’ manager, Col. Tom Parker, commissioned famed tailor Nudie Cohn, to create a sparkling suit for Elvis to wear on stage. Nudie’s suits are famous for their intricate embroidery and rhinestones, and his client list included Hank Williams, Porter Wagoner, John Lennon, John Wayne, Cher and many more.
Elvis’ gold lamé suit included the jacket, pants, shoes, necktie and belt, and it cost $2,500.
Elvis often substituted parts of the suit, but wore the jacket.
Elvis first wore the suit in late February or March 1957 for a photo shoot, and then wore it on stage for the first time in Chicago on March 28, 1957, and continued to wear the suit throughout 1957.
Elvis often substituted black pants for the gold pants. He only wore the full gold suit for three performances: in Chicago on March 28, in St. Louis, Missouri, on March 29, and in Toronto, Canada, on April 2.
Elvis wore at least some part of the gold suit in cities like Toronto, Canada, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Seattle, Washington, and his hometown, Tupelo, Mississippi.
The glittery gold suit was put into storage while Elvis served in the U.S. Army. After returning from service, he wore parts of it once more, at the benefit concert for the U.S.S. Arizona memorial, on March 25, 1961. At that show, he wore the jacket and necktie, but opted for dark pants.
What better way to advertise for a show than with a gold suit?
Elvis never wore the suit again.
Besides wearing it on stage, the suit is also featured on album covers.
Show of hands - who has this album?
If you’d like to see this eye-catching suit for yourself, you’re in luck. It’s on display at the new Elvis: The Entertainer Career Museum, the world’s largest and most comprehensive Elvis museum, at our new entertainment complex, Elvis Presley’s Memphis.
Elvis: The Entertainer Career Museum is now open at Elvis Presley's Memphis at Graceland.
The museum also features many of Elvis’ most iconic stage wear – including that Black Leather suit, the American Eagle jumpsuit, and many, many more. Make plans today to see it for yourself!