“Some people tap their feet, some people snap their fingers, and some people sway back and forth. I just shorta do'em all together, I guess.”

Purple coat and black silk slacks Black pants and white suede shoes, baby blue shirt, maroon jacket Kelly green jacket, black pants, white shirt, tie and white bucks Maroon jacket, black denim jeans, baby blue shirt, white suede shoes Red sport coat with collar upturned and white shirt open to the navel "Neon green" tweed jacket, a white plated raw-silk shirt and blue tie Kelly green jacket and matching tie, black slacks and blue suede shoes Black suit, white shirt and white bucks shoes Lime green jacket, matching shirt and pink tie. Bright green coat, black slacks and black shirt Gold jacket, black shirt and slacks 1957 gold jacket Black Leather Suit Black Herringbone Jumpsuit Black Karate 2 pieces suit Black Karate Suit White Herrinbone Suit Apache Suit White Sleek Suit Pearl Suit White Pearl Suit Thin Greaf Leaf Suit White Ribs Suit Aqua Suit Multicolor shirt Black Pants Gold Belt Fringe Suit with Short Fringes Concha Suit Chain Suit Red Ladder Suit Mexican Belt Suit Plain Dark Blue Suit White Fringe Suit WhitChain Suit White Suit Black Cisco Kid Suit Porthole Suit Black Cisco Suit Lightblue Two Piece Cisco Kid Suit Firework Suit Light Blue Two Pieces Cisco Kid Suit White Cisco Kid Suit Black Matador Suit Black Two Pieces Cisco Kid Suit Spectrum Suit Matador Suit Black Firework Suit White Red Lionhead Suit White Spectrum Suit Black Fireworks Suit Whire Red Lionhead Suit Lion Suit Paisley Shirt Suit Two Piece Plain suit Black Pyramid Suit LightblueSpanish Flower Suit Two Piece Suit Light Blue Swirls Suit Blue Nail Suit White Fireworks Suit Blue Nail Studded Suit Burning Love Suit Blue Owl Suit White Pyramid Suit Red Burning Love Suit Purple coat and black silk slacks Black pants and white suede shoes, baby blue shirt, maroon jacket Kelly green jacket, black pants, white shirt, tie and white bucks Maroon jacket, black denim jeans, baby blue shirt, white suede shoes Red sport coat with collar upturned and white shirt open to the navel "Neon green" tweed jacket, a white plated raw-silk shirt and blue tie Kelly green jacket and matching tie, black slacks and blue suede shoes Black suit, white shirt and white bucks shoes Lime green jacket, matching shirt and pink tie. Bright green coat, black slacks and black shirt Gold jacket, black shirt and slacks 1957 gold jacket Black Leather Suit Black Herringbone Jumpsuit Black Karate 2 pieces suit Black Karate Suit White Herrinbone Suit Apache Suit White Sleek Suit Pearl Suit White Pearl Suit Thin Greaf Leaf Suit White Ribs Suit Aqua Suit Multicolor shirt Black Pants Gold Belt Fringe Suit with Short Fringes Concha Suit Chain Suit Red Ladder Suit Mexican Belt Suit Plain Dark Blue Suit White Fringe Suit WhitChain Suit White Suit Black Cisco Kid Suit Porthole Suit Black Cisco Suit Lightblue Two Piece Cisco Kid Suit Firework Suit Light Blue Two Pieces Cisco Kid Suit White Cisco Kid Suit Black Matador Suit Black Two Pieces Cisco Kid Suit Spectrum Suit Matador Suit Black Firework Suit White Red Lionhead Suit White Spectrum Suit Black Fireworks Suit Whire Red Lionhead Suit Lion Suit Paisley Shirt Suit Two Piece Plain suit Black Pyramid Suit LightblueSpanish Flower Suit Two Piece Suit Light Blue Swirls Suit Blue Nail Suit White Fireworks Suit Blue Nail Studded Suit Burning Love Suit Blue Owl Suit White Adonis Suit Grass Suit Light Blue Swirl Suit White Two Piece Suit White Blue Jewelled Suit White pants with blue shirtLight Blue Spanish Flower Suit Light Blue Grass Suit Adonis Suit Blue Swirls Suit Light Blue Studded Nail Suit White Stone Eagle Suit Dark Blue Owl Suit Light Blue Tiffany Suit Saturn Suit Black Way Down Suit Aloha Eagle Suit Red Flower SuitWhite Snowflake Suit White Studded Nail Circle Suit Brown Flowers Suit White Aloha Eagle Suit Studded Nail Suit Sunlight Suit White Today Suit White Red Flower Suit White Spanish Flower Suit White Sunlight Suit Thunderbird Suit udded Nail Circle Suit White Nashville Suit White Eagle Suit Blue Target Suit Spanish Flower Suit White Brown Suit Black Spanish Flower Suit White Brown Flower Suit White Blue Target Suit Swirl Suit Light Blue Flowers Suit White Way Down Suit Memphis Suit IncaGold Leaf Suit White Jumpsuit Blue Rainbow Suit Peacock Suit American Eagle Suit Phoenix Suit Blue Phoenix Suit Mermaid Suit Leather Suit 2 Pieces Mermaid Suit White 2 Pieces Rainfall Suit Indian Suit 2 Pieces Wineglass Suit Chinese Dragon Suit Mad Tiger Suit Mexican Sundial Suit 2 Pieces Fringe Suit Blue 2 Pieces Suit Indian Feather Suit Blue Flying Suit Dark Blue 2 Pieces Suit Benefit Suit White 2 Pieces Suit Gray 2 Pieces Suit Silver PhoenixSuitWhite Indian Feather Suit Red Phoenix Suit Black Phoenix Suit White Jumpsuit with Black Eagle Blue Gypsy Suit Dark Blue Suit Dark Blue Gypsy Suit Dark Blue Aztec Suit Black Jumpsuit Gypsy Alpine Suit Gypsy Suit Penguin Suit Blue Aztec Suit White V Neck with Puffy Sleeve Suit Rainfall Suit V Neck Suit Blue Suit with Silver EagleBlue Bicentennial Suit Bicentennial Suit Rainfall Suit + White Bicentennial Suit White Bicentennial Suit Prehistoric Bird Suit V Neck With Puffy Sleeves Suit Blue Prehistoric Bird Suit White Prehistoric Bird SuitBlue Prehistoric Suit White Inca Gold Leaf Suit White King Of Spades Suit White Flame Suit King Of Spades Suit White Jumpsuit with Red Eagle

Who is known as the Clothier to the King ?

Q : It was your idea not Elvis.

A : No, the one thing that I really have to say about Elvis is that he was absolutely fantastic to me. He never ever said this is what I want. You know, do this for me. I won't wear this. We only had one little disagreement on something that we were doing on the special. But, all of our working relationship there was never anything that he just wasn't, you know, terrific about.

Q : When Elvis made his comeback in Las Vegas, tell me what he wore.

A : Well, when Joe had called me, saying that Colonel Parker would like me to do Elvis wardrobe for Vegas and would I be interested and I said yes. What we wanted to do at the time, was experiment of what would be the best look for him. And, of course, that was really my first time to work in Vegas. Having worked on the stage in New York it's quite different. But the lighting there was still in its early stages. And we found that the color that worked the best was white. It allowed them to change the colors on him, where as black would absorb all the color. And it was hard to highlight him. And we experimented with blue which was one of his favorite colors. Red. But it just ended up that white was the best thing and, of course, you know, you want the star to be the person, you know, and not the wardrobe.

Q : Black held more heat.

A : Yeah, also that, too, you know. It's great. It makes you look thin. But at that time goodness knows, that was not one of my worries to making him look thin. I mean, I've always been very lucky in that, as I say now, when I talk to the fan clubs. Bob Mackie had Cher, I had Elvis Presley. I mean, it was a fabulous body to design for. He really wore and had a flair for clothes.

Q : Were they made out of gabardine?

A : For the special, I used at that time which was a very hot fabric. And a lot of mens clothing were being made it of it, was called a stretch wool jersey. And so when we went to Vegas, I contacted Ice Capades, and I talked to some friends of mine there. And I said, "Would ya'll be interested in making Elvis Presleys clothes for Vegas?" Because I would like to use what is known for ice skaters as stretch gab, or gabardine. And, it allows skaters to do their splits, their turns, and everything. And I thought it would be great for Elvis because the one thing he said that he wanted to incorporate in his act was his karate. And I thought I've got to find something that will allow him to do that. The wool jersey that we used for a lot of these suits on the special, although it looks great, it's very warm. And, I knew that he was a person that perspired a lot when he performed. So I didn't want to add any more heat than I absolutely had to his wardrobe.

Q : His costumes became more and more jeweled. What was his favorite?

A : Well I know he liked the dragon suit. I know he liked the peacock. He liked the leopard. And, of course, I think possibly his favorite was always the Aloha Hawaii suit, the American eagle, you know.

*****************************************************************************************

Q : Didn't you have short notice to make a cape?

A : Right, right. Well I had this grand idea when we were going to open in Hawaii. And we had long discussions about what the suit was going to be because Elvis said, it's the only time that he really expressed any concern about what he was going to wear. He said "Bill, I just want the suit to say America". And we batted around a lot about what we were gonna do. And I remember when I was in Europe, I had seen the American Embassy there. And there was a big controversy at the time about it, the American eagle being acrossed it. And I said "I've got it". I know what'll work cause I had thought about the American flag and I said no, no. and I said the American eagle. And he said "That's great. I like that", and so we did that.

So I said "We'll do this cape, and you'll come out, you'll have your back to the audience and you'll open it up. And then go into the overture and bam you'll turn, and there you'll be". And the cape was to be floor length. So we made the cape. The cape went to Hawaii. And Elvis put the cape on, went to step forward, and fell over backwards. The cape was so heavy that he couldn't even walk in it. And I got the call that said "Bill, that the cape is great but Elvis can't move in it". So we immediately went in production, made a short cape, for him to wear for it. But I always had this, all these years I always carried this image in my head of Elvis making the step forward and then bam. Laying there amongst all this cape. And I can see him howling with laughter, too. 

Q : How long did you have to make the new cape?

A : We had just a little over a day. We worked literally 24 hours on it.

Q : Elvis also had trouble with fringe?

A : A lot of the things that I did for Elvis in the early days were a lot of things that I and other kids were wearing at that time. So a lot of the things were trimmed in macram and fringe and beads of that period. And, of course, you know, with all the movement and playing his guitar, it just never dawned on me the fringe would get all wrapped up in him. It wasn't until later when I did a couple of other things for other stars, and I was using fringe and I'd see them all wrapped up in it. And I'd think oh my god, what must it have been like for Elvis, with all this fringe swinging around him.

Q : The fringe was so long at Inglewood that he got tied up.

A : Right, yes. Oh yes.

Q : What was the idea behind the gypsy suit?

A : It was just an idea like anything else. I had just seen a picture of a gypsy costume and I just thought well that would be interesting. I was always trying to think of interesting things, because so much of what we did and the progression Elvis costumes were really dictated by the fans. A lot of it I would've been interested in starting much earlier. But the one thing that I never in all the period I designed for Elvis, I never wanted any mention of his masculinity be brought up by oh, you know, why was he wearing this or why is he doing that? So it was really just a progression of the fans. The more we did, the more they would applaud. And, the more they would do. And so it finally got to the point where I figured well, we can do the jewels, and there won't be any question, you know, about what he's wearing.

Q : Tell us about the Sun Dial.

A : Again, I was reading something in a magazine and happened to see this article on the Aztecs. And I saw the Aztec sun and I thought, you know, wouldn't that be a great design? And just used it.

Q : It seemed so intricate and difficult to make.

A : No. There were others that were much more difficult but it was very intricate in the fact that it was very heavily embroidered. And it took quite awhile to work the pattern out and to do

The video story of B & K Entrprises.
Trailer #1
Trailer #2

Q : You worked on future costumes.

A : Well the last thing I was working on and we had actually done a prototype of it. And, it was called a laser suit. And I had met an electrician who was into lasers. And lasers at that point were still relatively new. And laser shows were becoming very big. And so, I designed what I thought was going to be ultimately the jewel suit. It was called the diamond suit. And, what we did, there were certain points, and it had very large stones that would tell him where he could puncture himself. And that's where the laser would shoot. And we had these strategically placed on the suit. And as I say, you know, whenever he would touch himself then the laser beams. And, we had it almost to the point where it was ready to be shown to him. And I was in fact, the morning I heard of his death, I was on my way to the studio because we were gonna put it on the figure. And the electrician and I were going to test it. And, that's it.

Q : If Elvis had gone to Europe what were your ideas?

A : The laser suit was it. Yeah, that was the one, you know. but it just didn't--- yeah.

Q : Tell us what it was like to work with Elvis. Any funny stories besides the cape?

A : He just was so great in that he never questioned anything I ever did. A lot of times Joe would call and say. There is one funny story. We had just started out in Vegas. And I did not know this about Elvis, that Elvis was a night person. And in those days I was considerably younger so, maybe probably 11:30, 12:00s probably when I went to bed. And so I was in bed. And I think it was like about 2:00 or 3:00 in the morning and the phone rang. And of course, the only thing at that period in my life was, it's my mother. Somethings happened. My mother, they're calling. So I pick up the phone and it was Joe Esposito saying, "I want to talk to you. Elvis wants to order some more clothes". And all of a sudden, I realized I don't have any paper or a pencil or anything. And I had a bedside table that I had made beside my bed and it was covered in velvet. So the only thing I could do is I took my finger, and I started writing Joe's notes on the velvet and thinkin', god please let me remember everything he tells me. So I'm writing all this down and Joe's giving me all this information. And I immediately got up, turned the light on after we hung up, and got pencil and paper and sat down and started deciphering all my notes. From then on, there was always pencil and paper by my bed. I said, this is never gonna happen again.

But basically, the wardrobe that I did for the stage, he never said, you know, later on I did find out that, which I liked and it made me laugh, is that it would arrive and he would model it for the boys. And I've seen pictures of that from some people, of him modeling the wardrobe, and laughing and having a good time.

And then, of course, when public relations got to the point where he was speaking so much and meeting so many people, he said would I do his personal wardrobe? Because it was a body that was hard to fit, in that to go in and get something off the rack, it had to be altered. And like so many people he was not a person that was into having a lot of fittings on everything. So, I guess there were a lot of interesting things that I did for him, and probably one of the biggest things was, of course, when he met President Nixon. And he called and said, you know, "I want you to do a suit because I'm going to meet the president". And I always remember that being such a big thrill for him because, I remember I had worked for Kennedy. And I was doing a show in New York for which Jacqueline Kennedy had asked us to be one of the people that came to the White House for his birthday party to perform. And I know what that was like, being a small town southern boy. There's nothin' like meeting your president.

And, so, one day I was up at the house, after Elvis had come back. And normally all I did, I was in the living room and we conducted all of our meetings. And, I was asked to come back into the bedroom and I thought oh god now what's gonna happen, you know. I'm goin back. And he and Priscilla were in bed and he all the books out and the pamphlets and everything from the president. He said I want you to see all this and he said see how great it is. And we were sittin' there and we were lookin' at the books and the things that were autographed for him. And I said, "I know how you feel because I know what it was like when I met President Kennedy". I thought it was the greatest thing that had ever happened to me. And later I happened to work with Tish Balridge and she said "What could I do for you?" And I said "Somewhere in the vaults, theres a picture of me meeting President Kennedy. I would like to have it". And Tish Balridge was just absolutely fabulous. I don't know how she ever found it. God she did and I got the picture and it still sits on my table, in my living room. But as I said to Elvis, I said "I know how excited you are. You know, I just I can, I'm right there with ya". And it was like a little boy, you know. We just had a piece of candy and boy we were just havin a good time. And I think I have a book and a couple of other papers that he gave me that night. He said "I want you to have these, from my visit, at the White House". Terrific

Was it kind of a purple suit?

Q : Was it kind of a purple suit?

A : No, it was dark navy blue.

Q : What were you thinking when you designed it?

A : Well it was very similar to almost everything else that I had done for him. The basic clothes, you know. And the only thing that I did, is add the cape to the suit, which sometimes we did sometimes we didnt, you know.

Q : Tell us about your TCB.

A : I was absolutely amazed. You know, I had seen the guys with their TCBs. And one day, I was up there and we were discussing some wardrobe things. And he was, which he did most of the time, he was sitting on the floor in front of me, as we were talkin'. And he said "I have a gift for you". And he opened it up and there was a TCB. And I just couldn't believe it. I thought, gosh, I'm one of the guys now. Really.

Q : Tell us some memories of Colonel Parker.

A : I had very little to do with the Colonel. Almost all of my dealings were with Elvis.

Q : Where did you work?

A : In Los Angeles. I lived in Los Angeles at that period in my life. Yeah, because I was doing a lot of television and other things at that time.

Q : Did Elvis ever tell you anything that's always stayed in your mind?

A : No, no, not really. I think the only thing for me is, he called and said that Sonny West was gonna get married, and he wanted a suit. And so a tuxedo. So I designed a tuxedo for him. And he said to me, "Go down to Schwartz and Albusser and have them make me some jewelry". And I said "Oh no, no, Elvis. That's too personal. You do that yourself", you know. "No, no, no, you go on down there. You design me some jewelry". And so I went down there and that's how I met Saul and Abe. And as time progressed we got to know each other.

And it's just one of the best stories of how generous this man was. And, Saul was tellin' me that there was a lady that had been coming in for quite some time, and had been admiring an emerald and diamond ring. And it was very expensive. And, she just would come in. And look at it and they'd been trying to talk to her about putting some money on it, paying it off. No, no, no her husband wouldn't allow her to do it. So anyway she was there that day when Elvis walked in. And, she looked at it and he took it and put it back into the case. And Elvis said to him, you know, "What's that all about?" And he said well, you know, and told him the story about her. And, how she'd always wanted this ring and she was afraid her husband would get upset if she bought it. And, he said, "Go and box it up and give it to her". And he said "You really?" He said, "Do it", and so he did. He went to the lady and she said "What's this?" And he said, "That gentleman over there, Mr. Presley, would like for you to have this ring". And she got very emotional and she said "No, no you can't do this" and he said, "Anybody that wants something that bad, should have it". And he said "I want you to have it. And please, accept it with my love and my gratitude". And I just thought that was the neatest thing in the world. Just the neatest thing.

Q : Is there a favorite story you'd like to tell his fans?

A : Oh. I guess the only, which god one fan told me something I didn't even know. I guess is really the splitting suit in Vegas. I just think, I was ready to die. I just wanted to go underneath the table. I just felt so embarrassed, when I found out that the suit had split. Needless to say I went back and made sure that never happened again. But for me, there were a lot of things, you know, about him but, it's for me there have been a lot of people, a lot of wonderful people, that in so many ways that he opened the door in designing clothes for people, that he opened for me that I probably would never have gotten to them had it not have been that entre, you know. Because he did--- the special caused a lot of talk, and a lot of interesting. I still find it, you know, to this day I still there are times that I play it. It's still wonderful, you know.

Q : Tell us about that story.

A : I had forgotten about this one. When Joe called us and said the cape and the belt had been thrown in the audience, we were not prepared for that. We, of course, immediately went right into production and made it. And at that time I was doing a show with Flip Wilson. And I had again created Geraldine for Flip. He knew what she was like. But, not visually what she was like. So he said "I leave it to you to create Geraldine". So I had to stay in LA because that Friday night we were going to be taping that, and the clothes had to go to Hawaii. So, the plane had been sent, tickets, everything were set. So I said to Nicky, who did the embroider work on the clothes for Elvis. I said "Nicky, do me a favor, please. Take these and go to Hawaii, and deliver them for me". And Nicky said "Oh sure, great". So he gets on there.

And there is an empty seat for Elvis clothes. So, little while after they were in the air, the airplane stewardess came by and she said, "What is that in the seat beside you?" And he said, "That's Elvis Presleys belt and cape. I'm delivering them to Hawaii for his special". And a little bit later, Nicky said "I hear this murmuring". And he said, it's the stewardess. She said, "Elvis cape is up in that seat". And he said a little bit later she came back and she said, "Could I touch that?" And he said, "Sure". And she reaches down and she went back she said, "I touched Elvis cape". I had forgotten how funny that was till Nicky reminded me of that story. "I've touched Elvis cape".

Q : You wouldn't be surprised now to know how many people would love to touch the clothes.

A : Exactly. Exactly.

Q : Your designs are so original that everywhere you see Elvis you see your work. How does that make you feel?

A : Terrific. I think probably one of the neatest and coolest things that ever happened was, I think maybe it was either like three or four years ago in Esquire. Versace said, "The one thing that I envy is Bill Belew having the job of dressing Elvis Presley. That job I would've liked". And I have the article and every once in awhile when I'm down, I pull it out and I read that and I thought, that ain't bad kid. Look from a little hick town in the south. That's pretty good that Versace wanted to design for Elvis, too.

Q : You made Elvis happy and you made millions of fans the world over happy. A thousand years from now they'll still enjoy your work.

A : It's so nice to have been a part of his life, really.

Q : It's so nice to have you sit down and talk with us. Thank you.

A : Oh, my pleasure, always.

First Public Display In Graceland

ALOHA FROM HAWAII MICROPHONE
Electro Voice RE-15

The Original Peacock Belt

All Jumpsuits

1. Black Combo
Black pants and black silky shirt with red bandana
Opening scene on the
’68 Comeback Show

2. Black Leather Two-piece
Black leather pants & black leather jacket with Napoleonic collar
Stand up & sit down show

3. Brown Two-piece
Brown pants, brown jacket with white shirt
Gospel sequence

4. White Two-piece
White pants, white jacket and white shirt
If I Can Dream sequence

5. Blue Denim
Blue denim pants, blue denim shirt and jacket
Guitar Man medley

6. Black Two-piece
Black pants, black jacket and black shirt
Little Egypt sequence

7. Gold Suit
Gold jacket, black pants and black shirt
Little Egypt sequence

8. Black Two-piece
Black jacket with purple trim, black pants and white shirt
Little Egypt sequence

Elvis also had a Dark Blue Suit made in the same style as the Brown Two-piece he used during
the Gospel Scene but it wasn’t included in the show. Instead Elvis used it frequently in private settings


9. Black Two-piece # 1
Black pants, black jacket with Napoleonic collar.
1969 Press conference.

10.
Black Two-piece # 2
Black pants, black short jacket with Napoleonic collar.
Aug. 1969 Las Vegas season.

11.
White Two-piece
White pants, white short jacket with Napoleonic collar.
Aug. 1969 Las Vegas season.

12.
Black Cossack Top Two-piece
Black pants, black top, black karate type belt.
Aug. 1969 Las Vegas season.

13.
White Cossack Top Two-piece
White pants, white top, white karate type belt.
Aug. 1969 Las Vegas season.

14.
Navy Blue Cossack Top Two-piece
Navy blue pants, navy blue top, navy blue karate type belt.
Aug. 1969 Las Vegas season.


15.
Black Broquade Suit Official Graceland Guide Book.
Black jumpsuit, gold trim, white scarf, black macramé belt.

16.
Black Broquade Suit
Black jumpsuit, red and gold unicorns with leafs and flowers,
white scarf, black macramé belt

17.
Thin Green Leaf
White jumpsuit, green scarf, original green macramé belt.

18.
White Cossack Top Jumpsuit Front cover of “On Stage” album.
White jumpsuit, white macramé belt.

19.
White Broquade Suit Back cover of “On Stage” album.
White jumpsuit, gold-blue & silver trim, white macramé belt.

20.
White Broquade Suit
White jumpsuit, gold-orange & silver trim, white macramé belt.

21.
Blue Broquade Suit
Light blue jumpsuit with silver-blue & pink trim, white scarf,
white macramé belt.

22.
Fringe Suit
White jumpsuit, white macramé belt.

23.
Chain Suit (2 identical versions)
White jumpsuit, white macramé belt.

24.
Concho’s Suit (3 identical versions) Front cover of “TTWII” album.
White jumpsuit, white macramé belt.

25.
Red Ladder
White jumpsuit, red trim, red karate type belt.

26.
Wing Suit (used in 1970) Front cover of “You’ll Never
White jumpsuit, white scarf, no belt. This suit has a double row of metal Walk Alone” album
eyes on the lapels and collar.

27.
Wing Suit (used in 1971) Used only in Las Vegas
White jumpsuit, white scarf, no belt. This suit has a single Jan/Feb. 1971
row of metal eyes on the lapels and collar.

28.
Nail Swirl (a.k.a. I Got Lucky) (2 identical versions) Front cover of “Love Letters”
White jumpsuit, red scarf, white macramé belt. album.

29.
Lace suit (a.k.a. White Ribs)
White jumpsuit, white macramé belt.

30.
Metal Eye Suit Cover of “Reader’s Digest” box.
White jumpsuit, white metal eye belt.

When Elvis first started to use the “Fringe Suit” he combined it with the original white macramé belt. At the end of his
August season in Las Vegas he started to use the green macramé belt and green scarves. During a Miami concert in he
combined this suit with a blue macramé belt and blue scarves.


The original macramé belt of the “Nail Swirl” was a white one. But Elvis only used this once. He soon started to wear a red
macramé belt.

67.
Eyelet Suit (a.k.a. Double Porthole)
White jumpsuit, square gold portholes with red inlay all over the suit, red scarf, red
lined cape and kick pleats. “Red Russian Eagle Belt” & “Lion Head Belt”.

68.
Adonis Suit
White jumpsuit, square gold portholes with gold inlay on the lapels,
yellow scarf, gold lined cape and kick pleats. “Gold Attendance Belt”.

69.
Wheat Suit
Light blue jumpsuit, gold branches all over the suit, yellow scarf, gold lined
cape and kick pleats. “White Fireworks Belt”.

70.
Lucky Suit (a.k.a. Blue Swirl)
Mid-blue jumpsuit, silver pattern with four-leaf glovers, white scarf, silver lined cape
and kick pleats. “Mirror Belt”, “Thin Blue Macramé Belt” & “Blue Lucky Belt” (1973)

71.
Aztec Star (a.k.a. Tiffany)
Light blue jumpsuit with gold nailed star on front and back, white scarf, silver lined
cape and kick pleats. “Gold Attendance Belt”, “White Fireworks Belt”
& “Aztec Star Belt” (1973)

Front cover of “Afternoon at
the Garden album

72.
Saturn Suit (a.k.a. Planet Suit)
White jumpsuit with gold stars and planets, white scarf, silver lined cape and kick
pleats. “Gold Attendance Belt” & “Saturn Belt” (1973)

73.
Black Conquistador (a.k.a. Way Down Suit)
Black jumpsuit with gold and silver Mexican Tile design, red scarf, red lined cape
and kick pleats. Original belt.

74.
Thunderbird
White jumpsuit with condor on front and back done in stones, white scarf, aqua
lined cape and kick pleats lined with stones. “Jack Lord Belt” and original
“Thunderbird Belt” (1973)


75.
American Eagle (2 identical versions)
White jumpsuit with American Eagle design on front and back done in red & blue
stones and gold nails, white scarf, blue lined cape and red lined kick pleats.
2nd “American Eagle Belt”.

76.
American Eagle (larger tour version)
White jumpsuit with American Eagle design on front and back done in red & blue
stones and gold nails, blue scarf, blue lined cape and red lined kick pleats.
3rd “American Eagle Belt”.

77.
Orange Sunburst (a.k.a. Orange Target)
White jumpsuit with exploding sun pattern on front and back done in orange,
yellow and amber stones, orange scarf, orange lined cape and kick pleats.
Original “Orange Sunburst Belt”.

78.
Blue Starburst (a.k.a. Blue Target)
White jumpsuit with exploding star pattern on front and back done in blue stones and
gold nails, blue scarf, blue lined cape and kick pleats. Original Belt.

79.
Red Sunburst (Unknown but design confirmed by Gene Doucette)
White jumpsuit with exploding sun pattern on front and back done on red stones and
gold nails, red scarf, red lined cape and kick pleats. Original belt.

80.
Fire Suit (a.k.a. Red Flower)
White jumpsuits with flames all over the suit done in red Aurora Borealis stones,
red scarf, red lined cape and kick pleats. Original “Fire Belt”.

81.
Pharaoh (a.k.a. Today Suit)
White jumpsuit with Egyptian pattern on front and back, yellow scarf, yellow lined
cape and kick pleats. Original “Pharaoh Belt”, “Nail Studded Belt” & “Fire Belt”.

82.
Light Blue Pinwheel
Light blue jumpsuit with pinwheel design done in blue Aurora Borealis stones and
gold nails, yellow scarf, gold lined cape and kick pleats. Original Belt.

Front cover of “Raised on Rock”
album.

Front cover of “Today”
album.

83.
Nail Studded Suit
White jumpsuit with circling pattern of Tiger Eye stones and gold & silver nails, white
scarf, gold lined cape and kick pleats. Original “Nail Studded Belt”.

84.
Nail Mirrored Suit
White jumpsuit with circling pattern of round mirrors and gold & silver nails, blue scarf,
gold lined cape and kick pleats. Original “Nail Mirrored Belt”.

85.
Lava Suit (a.k.a. Topaz)
White jumpsuit with lava pattern running down done in orange, red and amber stones,
dark blue scarf, tiger skin lined cape and gold lined kick pleats. Original “Lava Belt”.

86.
Blue Rain Suit (a.k.a. Nashville Suit)
White jumpsuit with rain pattern on front and back done in blue, white and gold nails,
white scarf, blue lined cape and kick pleats. Original “Blue Rain Belt”.

87.
Multi Coloured Rain Suit
White jumpsuit with rain pattern on front and back done in several coloured stones,
white scarf, silver lined cape and kick pleats. Original “Multi Coloured Rain Belt”.

88.
Snowflake
White jumpsuit with snowflake pattern done in blue Aurora Borealis stones and gold
nails, light blue scarf, light blue lined cape and kick pleats. Original “Snowflake Belt”.

89.
Aqua Blue Vine
White jumpsuit with flower pattern done in aqua stones and gold nails, blue scarf,
blue lined cape and kick pleats. Original “Aqua Blue Vine Belt”.

90.
Gold Vine
White jumpsuit with flower pattern done in Mother of Pearl stones and gold nails,
white scarf, gold lined cape and white lined cape and gold lined kick pleats.
Original “Gold Vine Cape”.

91. White Spanish Flower
White jumpsuit with Spanish Flower pattern done in blue & green stones and gold
nails, blue/green scarf, blue/green lined cape and kick pleats.
Original “Spanish Flower Belt”.


92. Black Spanish Flower
Black jumpsuit with Spanish Flower pattern done in blue & green stones and gold
nails, blue scarf, blue lined cape and kick pleats. Original “Spanish Flower Belt”.

93. Black Spanish Flower
Black jumpsuit with Spanish Flower pattern done in red stones and gold nails, red
scarf, red lined cape and kick pleats. Original “Spanish Flower Belt”.

94.
Arabian (a.k.a. Memphis Suit)
White jumpsuit with Arabian pattern done in various coloured stones and nails, red
scarf, red lined cape and kick pleats. Original “Arabian Belt”.

95. Blue Swirl (a.k.a. Blue Rainbow)
White jumpsuit with a swirl pattern done in several shades of blue embroidery, white
scarf, blue kick pleats. Original “Blue Swirl Belt” & “Blue Starburst Belt”. In 1976 Elvis
started to wear a belt designed for one of the white two-pieces.

96. Turquoise Phoenix
White jumpsuit with turquoise eagle design done in embroidery, light blue scarf and
light blue lined kick pleats. Light blue “Lucky Belt” & original “Turquoise Phoenix Belt”.

97. Black Phoenix
White jumpsuit with black eagle design done in embroidery, white scarf, black lined
kick pleats. Several “Zebra Belts”.

98. Egyptian (a.k.a. Inca Gold Leaf)
White jumpsuit with Egyptian design done in embroidery, white scarf, gold lined kick
pleats. Original “Egyptian Belt”, “Egyptian Belt” with “Chinese Dragon Buckle” (1976)
& “Egyptian Belt” with “Chief Buckle” (1976)

99. American Eagle
White jumpsuit with American Eagle design on front and back done in embroidery
white scarf, blue lined kick pleats. 3rd “American Eagle Belt” (Aloha) & original
“American Eagle Belt”.

31.
Turquoise Concho (a.k.a. Now Suit)
White jumpsuit, light blue scarf, white macramé belt.

32.
Black Sunlight Two-piece
Black pants, black shirt, black vest with sun shaped done with gold nails.
Black leather belt.

33.
Black Cisco Kid Two-piece
Black pants, black sleeveless jacket with red leather shoulder pieces.
“Gold Attendance Belt”.

34. Black Cisco Kid Two-piece
Black pants, black sleeveless jacket with light blue leather shoulder pieces.
“Gold Attendance Belt”.

35. Black Cisco Kid Two-piece
Black pants, black sleeveless jacket with white leather shoulder pieces.
“Gold Attendance Belt”.

36.
White Cisco Kid Two-piece
White pants, black sleeveless jacket with black leather shoulder pieces.
“Gold Attendance Belt”.

37.
Violet Cisco Kid Two-piece
Lilac pants, lilac sleeveless jacket with mid blue leather shoulder
pieces.

38.
Black Cisco Kid
Black jumpsuit with red leather shoulders, black scarf.
“Gold Attendance Belt”.

39.
Black Cisco Kid
Black jumpsuit with green leather shoulders, black scarf.
“Gold Attendance Belt”.

40.
Black Cisco Kid
Black jumpsuit with light blue leather shoulders, black scarf.
Original “Lion Head Belt”.

41.
White Cisco Kid
White jumpsuit with black leather shoulders, black scarf.
“Gold Attendance Belt”.

42.
Light Blue Cobweb Two-piece
Light blue pants, light blue sleeveless jacket.
“Gold Attendance Belt”.

43.
White Cobweb Two-piece
White pants, white sleeveless jacket.
“Gold Attendance Belt”.

44.
Cobweb Jumpsuit
White jumpsuit with cobweb design,
white scarf. “Gold Attendance Belt”.

Front cover of “Now” album

Front cover of the 1972
“He Touched Me” album

45.
Knot Suit
White jumpsuit with short fringes tied into knots.
Thin blue macramé belt.

46.
White Nail Suit
White jumpsuit with pyramid shaped nails.

47.
Black Fireworks
Black jumpsuit, gold portholes with green inlay, fireworks pattern, green
scarf, green lined cape and kick pleats. Original belt.

48.
White Fireworks
White jumpsuit, gold portholes with light blue inlay, fireworks pattern,
light blue scarf, light blue lined cape and kick pleats. Original belt.

49.
Black Pinwheel (a.k.a. Black Matador)
Black jumpsuit, gold portholes with red inlay, pinwheel pattern, red scarf,
red lined cape and kick pleats. “Gold Attendance Belt”.

50.
White Pinwheel (a.k.a. Red Lion)
White jumpsuit, gold portholes with red inlay, pinwheel pattern,
red scarf, red lined cape and kick pleats. Original “Lion Head Belt”.

51.
1971 Snowflake (a.k.a. Spectrum)
White jumpsuit, gold portholes with black inlay, snowflake pattern,
black scarf, black lined cape and kick pleats. Original belt.

52.
White Two-piece
White pants and jacket with black pocket flaps, multi coloured shirt,
black cape with Paisley lining. “Gold Attendance Belt”.

53.
White Two-piece
White pants and jacket with red pocket flaps, several shirts, red lined cape.
Several belts.

54.
White Two-piece
White pants and jacket with green pocket flaps, jungle patterned shirt, green
lined cape. “Double Lion Head Belt”.

55.
White Two-piece
White pants and jacket with aqua pocket flaps, blue patterned shirt, aqua lined
cape. Several belts.

56.
White Two-piece
White pants and jacket with laced-up pockets, blue/white fish bone shirt.
“Gold Attendance Belt”.

Front cover of “Separate Ways”
album.

Front cover of “Mahalo from Elvis”
album.

Back side of the “Moody Blue”
album.

57.
White Turquoise Concho Two-piece
White pants with turquoise concho pattern, white jacket with turquoise concho
on pocket flaps and collar, royal blue shirt, white lined cape.
“Turquoise Concho” macramé belt.

58.
Light Blue Two-piece
Light blue pants and jacket, blue & white flower shirt, black cape.
“Gold Attendance Belt”.

59.
Light Blue Paisley Two-piece
Light blue pants with silver Paisley on the sides, light blue jacket with silver
Paisley on the pocket flaps, several shirts, silver lined cape. Original belt.

60.
Black Two-piece
Black pants and jacket with red pocket flaps, several shirts.

61.
Royal Blue Fireworks (a.k.a. Owl)
Royal blue jumpsuit, silver portholes with silver inlay, white scarf, silver lined
cape and kick pleats. Original “Owl” belt.

62.
Red Pinwheel (a.k.a. Burning Love, a.k.a. Red Matador)
Red jumpsuit, gold portholes with white inlay, pinwheel pattern, white scarf,
red lined cape and kick pleats. “Gold Attendance Belt”.

63.
Black Butterfly
Black jumpsuit, gold portholes with yellow inlay, gold butterfly nails, yellow
scarf, yellow lined cape and kick pleats. Original “Gold Butterfly Belt” and
“Gold Attendance Belt”.

64.
Black Butterfly
Black jumpsuit, gold portholes with gold inlay, gold butterfly nails, yellow
scarf, gold lined cape and kick pleats. Original “Gold Butterfly Belt” and
“Gold Attendance Belt”.

65.
Blue Nail
Powder blue jumpsuit, silver portholes with white inlay, silver nail pattern, white
scarf, white lined cape and kick pleats. Original white belt & “White Fireworks Belt”

66.
White Pyramid
White jumpsuit, square gold portholes with yellow inlay on the lapels, gold pyramid
shaped nail pattern, yellow scarf, yellow lined cape and kick pleats.
“Gold Attendance Belt”.

100.
Arabian (a.k.a. Ace of Spades)
White jumpsuit with Arabian pattern done in embroidery, white scarf, turquoise
lined kick pleats. Original “Arabian Belt” & “V-neck Belt” (1976 & 1977)

101.
Peacock
White jumpsuit with peacock design done in embroidery, white scarf, gold lined
kick pleats. “White Spanish Flower Belt” & original “Peacock Belt”.

102.
Mad Tiger
White jumpsuit with tiger design done in embroidery, white scarf, yellow lined
kick pleats. Original “Mad Tiger Belt”.

103.
Chinese Dragon
White jumpsuit with dragon design done in embroidery, white scarf, gold lined
kick pleats. Original “Chinese Dragon Belt”.

104.
Mexican Sundial
White jumpsuit with Aztec calendar stone done in embroidery, white scarf, gold
lined kick pleats. Original “Mexican Sundial Belt”.

105.
Beige Leather Two-piece (a.k.a. Emperor Suit)
With hand painted animal figures.

106.
Beige Leather Two-piece (a.k.a. Mermaid Suit)
With hand painted mermaids.

107.
Beige Leather Two-piece
With sequins on the shoulders, arms and legs.

108.
Beige Leather Two-piece
With hand painted Native flowers.

109. Beige/Orange Leather Two-piece
With wine glass pattern done in copper nails.

110. White Leather Two-piece
White leather jumpsuit, white leather sleeveless jacket with black fringes.

111. White Two-piece
White sleeveless jumpsuit, white jacket with blue and silver rim on the shoulders and
legs done in embroidery. Light blue silk shirt . Silver lined kick pleats.
Original belt designed but not used with this outfit

112. Navy Blue Two-piece
Navy blue sleeveless jumpsuit, navy blue jacket with scallops on the shoulders and
legs done in red and gold. Yellow silk shirt or white silk shirt. Red lined kick pleats.
Original belt designed but not used with this outfit

113. Navy Blue Two-piece
Navy blue sleeveless jumpsuit, navy blue jacket with scallops on the shoulders and
legs done in light blue and gold. Light blue silk shirt. Light blue lined kick pleats.
Original belt designed but not used with this outfit

114. Navy Blue Two-piece
Navy blue sleeveless jumpsuit, navy blue jacket with snake design on the shoulders
and legs done in mid blue and gold. Light blue silk shirt. Mid blue lined kick pleats.

115. Navy Blue Two-piece
Navy blue sleeveless jumpsuit, navy blue jacket with multi coloured arrows on the
shoulders and legs done in yellow, white, orange and beige. Yellow silk shirt.
Gold lined kick pleats.

116. Navy Blue Two-piece
Navy blue sleeveless jumpsuit, navy blue jacket with flames on the shoulders and
legs done in embroidery. Yellow silk shirt. Yellow lined kick pleats.

117. Silver Phoenix
Navy blue jumpsuit with white eagle design done in embroidery, white scarf, white
lined kick pleats. Several “Zebra Belts”.

118. Silver Phoenix
Black jumpsuit with white eagle design done in embroidery, white scarf, white lined
kick pleats. Several “Zebra Belts”.

119. Red Phoenix
White jumpsuit with red eagle design done in embroidery, red scarf, red lined kick
pleats. Several “Zebra Belts”.

120.
Chicken Bone (a.k.a. Aztec)
Navy blue jumpsuit with sewed in blue puff sleeves, Native American symbols done
in embroidery, white scarf. Original “Chicken Bone Belt” (1976) & Light Blue Scallop
Belt”. (1975)

121.
Eskimo Totem Pole (a.k.a. Gypsy)
Navy blue jumpsuit with sewed in white puff sleeves, Alaskan Native symbols done
in embroidery, white scarf. Original “Eskimo Totem Pole Belt” & Red Scallop Belt”.

122.
Chief (a.k.a. Indian Feather)
White jumpsuit with Native American symbols done in embroidery, white scarf,
orange lined kick pleats. Original “Chief Belt” (1975) & 2nd “Chief Belt” (1976 & 1977)

123.
White Rain Fall
White jumpsuit with rainfall design done in blue stones and silver nails, light
blue scarf, light blue lined kick pleats. Original “Rainfall Belt”.

124.
Black Rainfall (Unknown. Design confirmed by Gene Doucette)
Black jumpsuit with rainfall design.

125.
V-neck
White jumpsuits with sewed in striped puff sleeves, white scarf.
Original “V-neck Belt”.

126.
Two-toned Street Suit (a.k.a. Penguin Suit)
Two-piece, black on the outside, white in the middle. Several silk shirts.

127.
Two-toned Street Suit (a.k.a. Penguin Suit)
Two-piece, white on the outside, black in the middle. Several silk shirts.

128.
Two-toned Street Suit (a.k.a. Penguin Suit)
Two-piece, dark blue on the outside, light blue in the middle. Several silk shirts.

129.
Two-toned Street Suit (a.k.a. Penguin Suit)
Two-piece, dark brown on the outside, tan in the middle. Several silk shirts.

130.
Two-toned Street Suit (a.k.a. Penguin Suit)
Two-piece, dark brown on the outside, tan in the middle. Tan lapels
Several silk shirts.

131.
White Egyptian Bird (a.k.a. White Bicentennial Suit)
White jumpsuit with sewed in blue silk puff sleeves, Egyptian bird design done
in embroidery, white scarf. Original “White Egyptian Bird Belt”, “2nd “Chief Belt” &
“Egyptian Belt”.

Front cover of “From EP
Boulevard” album

132. Blue Egyptian Bird (a.k.a. Blue Bicentennial Suit)
Light blue jumpsuit with sewed in white silk puff sleeves, Egyptian bird design done
in embroidery, white scarf. Original “Blue Egyptian Bird Belt”.

133. Colourful Flame Suit
White jumpsuit with orange, yellow & pink flame design done in embroidery, white scarf,
orange lined kick pleats. Original “Flame Belt”.

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.

by JumpsuitJunkie - Lancashire UK