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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 57 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • National Museum of American History 4 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Dresses (garments) 54 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Belts (costume accessories) 4 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Costume 4 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Ensembles (costume) 4 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Skirts (garments) 3 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Uniforms 2 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Dress, 2-Piece; Entire Body; Main Dress; Female 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Gloves 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Gowns 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Headbands (headgear) 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Asian Pacific Americans 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • 1860s 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • 1930s 3 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • 1940s 3 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • 1950s 8 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • 1960s 13 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • 1970s 14 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • 1980s 14 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • 1990s 18 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • 2000s 3 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • 2010s 4 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • United States 47 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • North and Central America 44 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • New York City 32 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • California 6 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • District of Columbia 4 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Los Angeles 4 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Washington 4 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Manhattan 3 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • New York 3 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Burbank 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection 57 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Clothing - Fashion and Historical 32 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Black Fashion Museum Collection 31 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Clothing - Costume 28 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Musical Crossroads 4 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Culture/Fourth Floor, 4 053 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
  • Home and Community Life: Costume 2 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Clothing & Accessories 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Clothing and dress 58 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Design 46 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Fashion 34 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Costume 24 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Actors and actresses 19 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Women 19 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Singers (Musicians) 12 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Society 7 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Music 6 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Musical Theatre 5 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • CC0 34 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Not determined 18 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Usage conditions apply 12 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus

Filter Settings

Included:

  • Remove Culture: African Americans close

Costume dress and belt for Dorothy in The Wiz on Broadway

Brown and cream striped day dress from the Civil War era

Dress worn by Denyce Graves in Washington National Opera's production of Carmen

Wedding dress worn by Lollaretta Pemberton with veil and headpiece

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

Nurse's uniform dress worn by Pauline Brown Payne

Black beaded dress designed by Zelda Wynn and worn by Ella Fitzgerald

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

Purple dress and white belt worn by Dionne Warwick

Rose pink shirt dress and belt designed by Arthur McGee

Grey pinstriped dress and jacket designed by Arthur McGee

Teal waitress uniform worn by Halle Berry in the film Monster's Ball

Michelle Obama’s Inaugural Gown, 2009

Costume for Glinda the Good Witch in The Wiz on Broadway

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

Costume worn by Beyoncé as Deena Jones in the film Dreamgirls

dress

Dashiki

Black lace and rust satin cocktail dress worn by Billie Holiday

Dress designed by Ann Lowe

Dress designed by Ann Lowe

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

Costume worn by Terry Ellis in "Giving Him Something He Can Feel" video

Gown worn by Lisa Fischer

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

Beaded gown designed by Zelda Wynn for Eartha Kitt


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