The Jump Suits
When you see Elvis rock'n out in the 50's he was just wearing the baggies and a sportscoat.What every other "hip" young guy was wearing. Where did all the jump suit and capes thing come from?
shareA number of people appear to want to take the credit for Elvis' jumpsuit idea including Priscilla and members of the "Memphis Mafia"; however, when EP started back on the concert trail in 1969 and headlining his first season in Las Vegas, it was decided he wanted an outfit that would give him more freedom to move around better onstage as opposed to wearing separate jacket and trousers attire. Therefore, the 'Karate Gi' was decided upon and famous designer Bill Belew was contacted to undertake the task in hand. At first the outfits were quite plain and simple, but as the years wore on the jumpsuit design became effective and got more elaborate and the styles got more flamboyant. I suppose Elvis' jumpsuits are an iconic symbol of the seventies era and moreso for the fact that it influenced other people like The Osmonds and Evel Knievel to wear them.
shareEvel Knievel was wearing them WAY BEFORE Elvis. Besides, Evel's costumes were nowhere near as flashy as Elvis's so, saying that Evel wore his suits because of Elvis is incorrect. Also, The late Bill Belew designed Elvis's jumpsuits full-time up until 1971 and then designer, Gene Doucette, took over the work because Bill was becoming more in-demand in Hollywood as a costume designer. The last suit ever designed for Elvis (which he never wore because death took him from us before he could) was a God-awful looking paisley designed outfit. Bill & Gene worked together for years up until Bill's passing a few years ago. Gene now works with Butch & Kim Polston of B&K Entrrprises re-creating those jumpsuits for Elvis Tribute Artists and fans to purchase. I'm hoping to be able to purchase a jumpsuit in the very near future from them in the very near future.
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