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Patsy Cline's Costume

Object Details

Description

Made for country music star Patsy Cline by her mother, this Western-style performance outfit features record-shaped patches stitched with the titles of Cline's records. Cline began singing with gospel and country bands as a teenager in Virginia. With her 1957 breakout hit "Walkin' after Midnight," she became the first female country vocalist to cross over to the pop charts. In 1960, Cline achieved her childhood dream of joining the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. Three years later, she died in a plane crash.

Pink colored western-style shirt and pants with black piping and adorned with hot pink rhinestones and black wool 'record discs' hand-stitched with the names of Patsy Cline's hit songs including "Come On In" [left shoulder], "Poor Man's Roses" [right shoulder], "Walking After Midnight" [back], "Stop the World" [left leg]. and "Yes I Understand" [right leg].

Location
Currently not on view
Data Source
National Museum of American History
user
Cline, Patsy
maker
Hilda Hensley
date made
ca 1958
Physical Description
facric (overall material)
rhinestones (overall material)
Measurements
overall: 39 in x 11 1/2 in; 99.06 cm x 29.21 cm
overall: 39 1/4 in x 12 1/2 in x 3/4 in; 99.695 cm x 31.75 cm x 1.905 cm
Object Name
pants

Featured In

  • Country Music
  • Music and Fashion
  • Women in Music
Costume worn by Patsy Cline
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