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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 29 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • National Museum of American History 16 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Dresses (garments) 41 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Main garments 5 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Costume 4 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Entire Body 4 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
  • 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
  • Gowns 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • dress, 2-piece; Entire Body; Main Dress; Female 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • African Americans 32 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Asian Pacific Americans 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • 1780s 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • 1880s 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • 1930s 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • 1950s 7 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • 1960s 10 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • 1970s 8 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • 1980s 10 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • 1990s 16 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • 2000s 2 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • 2010s 3 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • United States 45 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • North and Central America 29 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • New York 16 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Manhattan 3 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • France 2 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Paris 2 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Île-de-France 2 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • District of Columbia 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Florence 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Black Fashion Museum Collection 29 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection 29 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Clothing - Fashion and Historical 23 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Clothing - Costume 7 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Home and Community Life: Costume 7 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Clothing & Accessories 6 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Culture and the Arts: Entertainment 6 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Popular Entertainment 3 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Artifact Walls exhibit 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Cultures & Communities 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Clothing and dress 35 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Design 27 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Fashion 23 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Women 13 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Actors and actresses 7 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Costume 7 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Dress accessories 6 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Society 6 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Musical Theatre 5 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Amusements 4 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Not determined 26 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • CC0 13 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Usage conditions apply 7 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus

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Woman's Dress, 1789

Woman's Dress, 1936

Black dress worn by Rachel Brosnahan in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

Dress worn by Misty Copeland in "On the Town" for Broadway Debut

Dress designed by Ann Lowe

Dress designed by Ann Lowe

Dress designed by Ann Lowe

Gold lamé strapless dress designed by Peter Davy

Dress designed by Ann Lowe

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

Dark grey velvet dress designed by Arthur McGee

Dress designed by Ann Lowe

Dark iridescent green and rainbow sequin dress designed by Peter Davy

Hello, Dolly Dress

Light grey wool dress designed by Arthur McGee

Grey balloon sleeve dress designed by Arthur McGee

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.

Hattie Carnegie Original Two-Piece Dress

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

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

Woman's Dress, 2002

Rose pink shirt dress and belt designed by Arthur McGee

Grey pinstriped dress and jacket designed by Arthur McGee

Michelle Obama’s Inaugural Gown, 2009

Costume for Glinda the Good Witch in The Wiz on Broadway

Caroline Harrison's 1889 Inaugural Gown

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


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