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Best Dressed: Fashion Trends and Famous Wearers

While the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History is home to the renowned First Ladies' gown collection, dresses can be found throughout the Smithsonian's museums. These dresses reflect fashion trends, pop culture history, and their wearers. 

  • National Museum of African American History and Culture 13 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • National Museum of American History 12 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Dresses (garments) 18 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Costume 5 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Ensembles (costume) 3 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Belts (costume accessories) 2 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Gowns 2 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Dress, 1-Piece 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Dress, 1-Piece; Entire Body; Main Dress; Female 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Dress, 2-Piece; Entire Body; Main Dress; Female 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Ensemble 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Ensemble, 2-Piece 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • African Americans 14 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • 1940s 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • 1950s 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • 1960s 4 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • 1980s 2 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • United States 15 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • North and Central America 11 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • New York City 8 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • California 4 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Manhattan 3 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Los Angeles 2 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • New York 2 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Burbank 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Cuba 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • England 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Clothing - Costume 13 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection 13 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Black Fashion Museum Collection 7 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Clothing & Accessories 4 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Culture and the Arts: Entertainment 4 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Home and Community Life: Costume 4 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Culture/Fourth Floor, 4 054 4 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Taking the Stage 4 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Popular Entertainment 3 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • National Museum of American History 2 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Clothing and dress 17 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Costume 12 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Actors and actresses 10 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Design 9 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Musical Theatre 5 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Dress accessories 4 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Sitcoms 4 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Amusements 3 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Music 3 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Women 3 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Not determined 12 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • CC0 8 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Usage conditions apply 8 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus

Filter Settings

Included:

  • Remove Date: 1970s close

Paper Dress, Campbell's Soup Company

Tennis Dress, worn by Billie Jean King during the "Battle of the Sexes"

Evening Dress, Oleg Cassini

Costume worn by Flip Wilson as Geraldine

Dress worn by Celia Cruz

Dress worn by Isabel Sanford as Louise Jefferson on The Jeffersons

Concert Dress Worn By Phyllis Diller

Dress worn by Phyllis Diller in Hello, Dolly! on Broadway

Dress worn by Diahann Carroll on the television show Julia

Dress and belt worn by Marla Gibbs as Florence Johnston on The Jeffersons

Costume gown and petticoat for Evillene in The Wiz on Broadway

Costume dress and belt for Dorothy in The Wiz on Broadway

Costume dress for Lady in Orange from for colored girls... on Broadway

Purple dress and white belt worn by Dionne Warwick

Costume for Glinda the Good Witch in The Wiz on Broadway

Margarita Lora's Dress

Costume gown, petticoat, and jacket for Addaperle in The Wiz on Broadway

Miss Starlett costume, worn by Carol Burnett on "The Carol Burnett Show"

Dashiki

dress, 1-piece

Betty Ford’s State Dinner Dress, 1975 and 1976

Rosalynn Carter’s Inaugural Gown, 1977

Red and yellow dress worn by Janet Jackson as Penny Woods on Good Times

Mini-dress and 'Baby Bonnet'

Costume worn by Judith Jamison in The Mooche

Costume gown for Glinda the Good Witch in The Wiz on Broadway

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