Elvis Presley wore dozens of elaborate jumpsuits during the 1970s, but one became more famous than almost all the others.
The American Eagle jumpsuit, also known as the Aloha suit, was created for Elvis’s historic Aloha from Hawaii concert in 1973.
Costume designer Bill Belew later said it was the most expensive jumpsuit made for Elvis, costing around $65,000 at the time. He estimated that recreating it years later could have cost roughly four times as much.
But Elvis did not choose the design simply because it looked expensive.
He wanted something that represented America. Because Aloha from Hawaii would be broadcast internationally, Elvis reportedly asked Belew for a patriotic costume. Belew chose the bald eagle, one of America’s most recognizable symbols.
The finished white jumpsuit featured a huge eagle design decorated with red, blue and gold details, along with a matching belt and cape.
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Elvis wore the suit during Aloha from Hawaii Via Satellite on January 14, 1973, at the Honolulu International Center Arena. The concert was transmitted to audiences across several countries before later broadcasts expanded its reach around the world. It became one of the biggest television moments of Elvis’s career.
Two similar American Eagle suits were actually created because Elvis also performed a full rehearsal concert two days earlier as a backup in case something went wrong with the satellite broadcast.
Even the cape became part of the story. An early version was reportedly so large and heavy that it was difficult for Elvis to wear, so a shorter version was used.
The American Eagle suit eventually became one of the defining images of 1970s Elvis.
It may have cost $65,000, but appearing in front of a worldwide audience turned it into something far more valuable: one of the most recognizable costumes in music history.