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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 14 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • National Museum of American History 7 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Anacostia Community Museum 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • National Museum of African Art 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • National Museum of the American Indian 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Dresses (garments) 21 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Blouses (main garments) 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Clothing 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Dress, Evening 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Exhibitions (events) 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Textile and Fiber Arts 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Woman's dress 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • costume, dress 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • African Americans 14 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Cherokee Indians 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Indians of North America 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Latin Americans 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Native Americans 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Southeast Indians 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Spaniards 1 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 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • 1970s 2 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • 1990s 9 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • United States 14 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • North and Central America 13 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • New York City 10 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • California 2 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Benin City 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Cuba 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Jersey City 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Liberty State Park 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Los Angeles 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • New Jersey 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection 14 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Clothing - Fashion and Historical 11 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Black Fashion Museum Collection 10 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Clothing - Costume 4 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Culture and the Arts: Entertainment 2 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • First Ladies 2 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Home and Community Life: Ethnic 2 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • National Museum of American History 2 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Anacostia Community Museum Collection 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Clothing & Accessories 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Clothing and dress 15 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Design 13 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Fashion 11 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Costume 4 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Actors and actresses 3 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • First ladies 2 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Inaugurations 2 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Motion pictures 2 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Music 2 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Presidents' spouses 2 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Not determined 20 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Usage conditions apply 3 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • CC0 2 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus

Filter Settings

Included:

  • Remove Date: 1980s close

Woman's ensemble

Dress worn by Dustin Hoffman in the Film Tootsie

Gold lamé strapless dress designed by Peter Davy

Dark iridescent green and rainbow sequin dress designed by Peter Davy

Red dress with ruffled collar designed by Peter Davy

Black and silver drop waist dress with ruffle details designed by Peter Davy

Brown crepe dress with metallic embellishments designed by Peter Davy.

Black satin dress with hand-shaped decoration designed by Peter Davy

Brown halter dress with gold music-themed embellishments designed by Peter Davy

Green dress with silver details and attached necklace designed by Peter Davy

Turquoise blue dress with nude bodice and blue details designed by Peter Davy

Fitted dress with rainbow sequins and beading designed by Peter Davy

Purple dress designed by Oscar de la Renta and worn by Whitney Houston

Cuban Rumba Dress

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

Black dress worn by Oprah Winfrey as Sofia in The Color Purple

Margarita Lora's Dress

Queen's Ball Attire- Gown

Dress

costume, dress

Woman's dress

Woman's dress

Mexican-Style Dress, about 1960

Barbara Bush’s Inaugural Gown, 1989

Nancy Reagan's 1981 Inaugural Ball Gown

Gown worn by Lisa Fischer

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