Starting from 1969 Elvis started to wear Jumpsuits. 
Elvis got this idea from karate.
Since the army Elvis studied karate and found that this is a very good way to 
exercise and stay in top physical condition.

Back in 1969 before his first Las Vegas engagement started 
Elvis wanted to have something to would impress people, look good 
and feel good on stage while performing.
Elvis thought, what can be more gracious as a karate suit?
So he had asked someone to make a few karate suits. 
This is what Elvis initially started to wear on stage.

From there the suits evolved. The designer Bill Belew 
added some studs on them and Elvis liked the idea. 
The designs got more and more sophisticated. Elvis also 
had some ideas and Bill would then take the design and 
compose the suit for Elvis.

During 1972 Elvis also experimented with some two piece 
suits with pants. But after splitting some of them he 
changed back to suits at the end of his August / September 
1972 Vegas engagement.

For the Aloha special Elvis needed something really special. 
Something that would be recognizable as America. So 
Bill Belew came up with the symbol of the American Eagle. 
And included a cape in the desing. More suits got designed 
with capes. Although they looked fabulous the capes were 
actually quite heavy. Sometimes Elvis was almost drawn off 
the stage because of the weight and by fans who were pulling 
on the capes. Therefore Elvis stopped wearing them mid 1973.
However there is one show in Las Vegas February 1974 where 
Elvis again wears the Aloha suit with cape!




Elvis in the Today suit, Atlanta June 29th 1973



Many different designs followed and I have found over 80 
different suits. But I think there are even a few dozens 
more. Only there are no photos of them.
Some of the finest suits are the Blue swirl, the Peacock suit 
and the Owl suit. Elvis personally hated the Flame suit 
because it was so bright coloured. On the other hand Elvis liked the 
V-neck suit because it was light and cool under the big lights.

Within the coming period I will try as many suits as I can 
find photos from. If you happen to have photos of suits that 
I have not yet listed please let me know.

A word on the photos.
Since I wasn't even born before 1974 of course I was unable to attend any show.
It is very hard to find out who made the original photos as photos are published
through different books and not always the photographer has been named.
However I want to thank all the people who have made these photos and have made 
them available to other fans. We owe you our gratitude.
Without you me and a lot of other younger fans would not have been able to enjoy all the 
different stage outfits that Elvis wore.
Thank you!