10 Shocking Secrets Behind Priscilla Presley's Iconic 60s Style Transformation

Priscilla Presley’s 1960s era remains one of the most fascinating and visually influential periods in pop culture history. Her transformation from a teenage military dependent in Germany to the glamorous wife of the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley, was a decade-long evolution defined by dramatic, trend-setting fashion and beauty choices. As of December 2025, her signature looks—the striking beehive, the exaggerated eyeliner, and the elegant shift dresses—continue to inspire modern designers and beauty enthusiasts, cementing her status as a true 60s style icon.

This period was not just about fashion; it was a curated image, a public persona that both reflected and transcended the era's decadent Hollywood glamour. From her move to Graceland to her secret Las Vegas wedding, the 1960s shaped the woman who would become a cultural figure in her own right, long after the decade ended.

Priscilla Presley: A 1960s Biographical Timeline

The 1960s were the most formative years of Priscilla Ann Wagner's life, documenting her journey from a young girl to a global style icon and mother. Her relationship with Elvis Presley was the central narrative, dictating her location, style, and public life. This is a look at the key milestones of her decade:

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• September 1959: Priscilla Beaulieu (then Wagner) meets Elvis Presley in Bad Nauheim, Germany, while he is stationed there for his U.S. Army service. She was only 14, and he was 24.
• March 1963: With her parents' permission, Priscilla moves to Memphis, Tennessee, to live at Elvis's famous estate, Graceland. She was 17 years old.
• 1963–1967: She attends Immaculate Conception High School in Memphis, but her life is increasingly secluded, focused on Elvis's demands for her appearance and his lifestyle.
• May 1, 1967: Priscilla and Elvis marry in a private, top-secret ceremony at the Aladdin Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. The ceremony lasted only eight minutes.
• February 1, 1968: The couple welcomes their only child, Lisa Marie Presley, into the world, just nine months after their wedding.
• Late 1960s: Priscilla begins to transition her style, slowly moving away from the rigid, highly-controlled looks of the mid-decade toward a more bohemian, softer aesthetic, though the iconic beehive and eye makeup remain her signature.

The Anatomy of an Icon: Priscilla’s Signature 60s Look

Priscilla's style was a masterclass in 1960s glamour, a fusion of mod aesthetics, Hollywood decadence, and a unique, meticulously crafted beauty regimen. Her look was instantly recognizable and became a defining image of the era, inspiring countless fashion and beauty trends that persist today.

The Voluminous Beehive and Bouffant

Her hair was perhaps the most dramatic element of her 60s persona. The towering, jet-black beehive or bouffant hairstyle was a symbol of her commitment to a glamorous, controlled image. This style required immense effort, often involving backcombing, copious amounts of hairspray, and, famously, a hairpiece or wig to achieve the gravity-defying volume. The sleek, dark color and polished finish contrasted sharply with the era's looser, more natural styles, setting her apart from contemporaries. This look was a key entity in the aesthetic of the time, often associated with the high-glamour end of the 1960s spectrum.

The Exaggerated Babydoll Eyeliner

Priscilla’s makeup was equally iconic, centered on an intense, unforgettable eye look. She perfected the "babydoll" or "smoked-out cat eye," a technique that involved heavy black eyeliner applied to the upper lash line, extending into a dramatic wing. This was paired with thick, often false, eyelashes that gave her eyes a wide, doll-like appearance. The look was so meticulous that Elvis reportedly preferred her to keep it perfect at all times. The rest of her face was kept minimal—pale foundation and a nude lip—to ensure all attention was fixed on her mesmerizing eyes.

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The Mod and Glamorous Wardrobe

In fashion, Priscilla was the epitome of sophisticated mod. Her wardrobe largely consisted of A-line shift dresses, mini dresses, and tailored suits. These silhouettes were simple, yet elegant, allowing her dramatic hair and makeup to take center stage. Key entities in her 60s wardrobe included:

• Shift Dresses: Simple, straight-cut dresses that skimmed the body, often in pastel colors or bold, graphic prints.
• Mini Skirts: Reflecting the youthful mod movement, she often wore skirts that hit well above the knee.
• Tailored Suits: Elegant, fitted suits, often with a slight military influence, reflecting Elvis's own disciplined style.

The Untold Story of the 1967 Wedding Dress

One of the most enduring mysteries of Priscilla's 1960s style is the story behind her 1967 wedding dress, a garment that has inspired generations of brides. The truth behind the purchase is far more surprising than the typical celebrity wedding narrative.

The Secret Shopping Spree

Due to the intense media scrutiny and the need to keep the Las Vegas wedding a secret, Priscilla could not shop for a designer gown publicly. Instead, the dress was purchased "off-the-rack" in a clandestine shopping trip. Elvis’s friend, Charlie Hodge, helped her shop incognito, visiting several department stores before she settled on the perfect gown.

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The Westwood Store and the Design Details

The iconic gown was purchased from a Los Angeles shop called Westwood. Priscilla later revealed she picked it up from a department store. The dress itself was a floor-length gown made of white silk chiffon, featuring a high-neck and long, sheer lace sleeves. The A-line silhouette was adorned with delicate pearl and bead embellishments along the neckline and cuffs. She famously paired the dress with a three-foot tulle veil secured by a sparkling rhinestone tiara, completing the ultimate 1960s bridal look. The modest yet glamorous style was a perfect reflection of her curated image at the time.

Priscilla Presley’s 1960s style was more than just fashion; it was a carefully constructed visual identity that defined an era. Her looks—from the dramatic babydoll eyeliner to the voluminous bouffant and the elegant shift dresses she wore at Graceland—continue to be a reference point for vintage glamour. The decade saw her transformation from a young girl into a fully-fledged style icon whose influence is still palpable in current fashion and beauty trends, securing her place as a timeless symbol of 60s Hollywood decadence.