By Denim Therapy / Source: DenimTherapy

Have you heard the new theories that the King is alive?! If you are an Elvis fan (who isn’t?) then you have good reason to be excited this summer. A fantastic new book dedicated to Elvis’ wardrobe will be available July 1st. Elvis Style: From Zoot Suits to Jumpsuits by Zoey Goto is the perfect summer read for not only the avid Elvis fan, but also for those interested in the history of American style. The book is an in-depth review of Elvis’ impact on American fashion both during his lifetime and his continuing influence on designers today. Filled with 175 vivid photos including rarely seen garments from the King’s private collection, Elvis Style contains eye candy on every page making this book hard to put down. To help shed light on the legend Goto interviewed leading design experts including stylist Patrica Fields, Academy Award winning costume designer Mark Bridges and Hal Lanksy of Evlis’ favorite tailoring house, Lanksy Bros.

Left: Elvis in denim suit for Jailhouse Rock. Right: Elvis’ white denim tiger suit.
Photos provided by Zoey Goto.

We were personally interested in learning about Elvis’ relationship with denim and we were not disappointed. Remember Elvis’ denim jacket and drainpipe jeans he wore in Jailhouse Rock? Denim uniforms had roots in the penitentiary system due to its durability and the Jailhouse Rock outfit helped cement denim as the fabric of youthful rebellion. We learned from Goto that ironically, Elvis later avoided wearing denim on stage as he associated it with the poverty of his childhood and opted most often for suits or leather instead. With this in mind his intensifying penchant for luxe, outlandish designs throughout his career makes sense as he was ever-determined to upstage himself. Elvis would grace the stage in a Canadian tuxedo once more about two 20 years later- this time in a white denim Tiger suit. Elvis is arguably the first true celebrity- saturated in the media and marketed globally as a product. Goto’s thorough exploration of his relationship with American culture and his impact on fashion makes this book a fascinating must-read.

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